Film crew transforms Cambridge pizza shop
A Cambridge pizza restaurant got a temporary makeover this week, turning into a fictitious donut shop as part of a film production.
Although not officially confirmed, the project is widely believed to be the Amazon TV series “Reacher,” which has filmed in the city before.
“It's kind of weird, but super cool at the same time,” said Andrea Theophanous, owner of Cyprianna's Pizzeria, which was turned into “Dinky’s Joe and Go” for the shoot. “My kids are all excited about it. We took a bunch of pictures yesterday.”
“I was approached last year or they mentioned that they were looking at a spot around here for to do a scene for a really popular show for Amazon.”
Theophanous said while the negotiations took a while, the total makeover of her Queen Street storefront was very quick.
Crews arrived Tuesday morning and had the place looking like a New England coffee and donut spot by 2 p.m. Filming started Wednesday morning and was expected to last until 8 p.m.
Nearby businesses were happy to see the action in their neighbourhood.
“I’m a big fan,” said David Mandryk of Hespeler Physiotherapy. “Hopefully [I] get a selfie.”
Filming will move to a different location in Hespeler Thursday.
What else has been filmed in Cambridge?
Cambridge has played host to several major productions over the past several years including The Handmaid’s Tale, The Queen’s Gambit, American Gods and Murdoch Mysteries.
In 2022, Richard Gere left quite an impression on a Galt pizza shop owner when he stopped in for a meal and a cup of tea while filming nearby.
“There's lots of nice old architecture here, and actually a lot of really interesting places,” said Robin Steed with the Hespeler Village BIA.
Despite the temporary impacts on traffic, film projects are a big boost for the community.
“The people come to see what's going on and they'll sort of spill out into the local restaurants, cafes and stuff,” Steed said.
It’s also a reason for Cambridge residents to get excited about their hometown.
“It also just brings attention to Hespeler,” Steed said. “Not everybody knows the place and so brings up visibility.”
According to the city, other exciting projects could be on the way this summer, but there’s nothing to announce yet.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.