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It’s all fun and games at Minotaur

Deck: Kingston’s unique activity store offers games, puzzles, and craft supplies.

78 Princess St | Facebook | Website 

Minotaur has been charming locals and visitors alike since 2005. If you step inside, you might find people on the prowl for a new hobby, puzzlers looking for a cool Harry Potter-themed puzzle, or families discovering the perfect acquisition for game night.

We spoke with Justine Scala, co-owner of Minotaur, about the activity store’s origins and how she stays true to her vision of offering products that customers can actively engage with. While Minotaur sells traditional games such as chess and dominoes, you’ll be surprised by the variety of activities you can discover here. Their selection includes single-player and multi-player card, memory, and strategy games. You can find the perfect gift with their variety of apparel, plants, activity books, journals, and other knickknacks from various fandoms. If you’re looking to get crafty, they have just what you need to get started in knitting or crochet. Tap into your inner artist with unique art supplies or get nostalgic with toys such as kaleidoscopes, marbles, and finger puppets.

The magic of Minotaur is obvious at first glance. The store is known for their imaginative window displays. Throughout the year, customers are often drawn in by the displays designed by local artists. The fantastic window artistry even won the Downtown Kingston! Window Wonderland competition in 2020.

Justine was an archaeologist living in Toronto and thinking of a career change when she decided to move to Kingston and get a feel for the retail market. One morning, she simply decided she would open a retail store, name it Minotaur, and convince one of her best friends to co-found it with her.

As a lover of crafts and games, creating an activity-focused store just seemed natural to Justine. She also wanted to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all types of gamers.

“There was a time, and I don’t think this is true generally anymore, but it certainly was when I opened the store, that gaming was for guys, especially certain types of games. Sometimes I would go into games stores in Toronto and not feel totally comfortable. I would still go in, but I wouldn’t feel completely welcomed and I wanted to change that.”

The store also has a ramp, making exploring the space physically accessible to all. Minotaur’s welcoming atmosphere is also cultivated by the free activities and opportunities offered to make connections with others. A big part of the Minotaur attraction has been its free craft nights, cribbage tournaments, and games nights. While these events were curtailed due to COVID-19, the fun, community spirit is still buzzing at the location, and events are set to return soon. Inspiration for the activities began when Justine developed a love for community events after her previous experience working at a second-hand record store. The store also sold instruments. Customers would come in and play the guitars, talk about music, and listen to specific records.

“When I started thinking about Minotaur, I wanted to capture that feeling, a feeling where people felt, no matter who they were, comfortable coming in the store. I also have always been an active community person. It’s a lot more fun to do things like games nights than just to buy and sell products. It engages and gives something back to the community because we don’t charge for any of these things.”

Minotaur also helped start King Con, a Kingston game convention that ran for several years and engaged gamers, comic book lovers, crafters, and cosplay fans. These community events are what Justine is most proud of after 17 years in business.

While the growing business requires Justine to spend some more time behind-the-scenes, she makes sure to spend time each day on the floor, where all the magic happens:

“I do try to not just be an office person because it’s important to me to connect with customers, to be out there, and anyway, it’s fun!”

We asked Justine about how she decides which fun products the store will offer. It’s a curated effort designed with intention, feedback from customers, and a little bit of luck:

“It’s something of an organic process. We have about 150 suppliers, 125 of whom I order from on a regular basis, and I just know something when I see it. There’s a feel. I don’t get it right 100 per cent of the time, but there’s a feel to the store and I can look at something and know whether it’s going to fit or not. I’ve also had almost 17 years of practice.”

Justine chooses products based on the vision she has for the store while also catering to customer desires.

“If someone is in your store and they’re excited about a product, they’re selling to the other customers around them. They’re also selling to me because I understand that offering that product was the right decision. Over time it gets refined. Having said that, you also have to be flexible as a retailer. Something that might be popular one year you might be tired of the next year, so you have to keep aware of what is selling and keep an eye on trends. I sort of have a good sense of what people are feeling at a particular time in terms of products. That’s harder to put into words but just being able to sense the collective mood of the public is an important thing to be able to do.”

Reflecting on Minotaur’s evolution, Justine doesn’t believe it was a challenge to grow the business to where it is today.

“This is what I do so I just kept doing it. I just make sure as much as possible that I’m doing interesting things within the store. I’m a people-person, so I get to chat with people… and one of my motivations for starting the store was to make a community space and I feel we have achieved that. That’s what keeps me going.”

Justine’s bustling activity store is a vibrant part of what makes downtown so lively. By encouraging creativity, community, and a little bit of friendly competition, Minotaur welcomes any and every one to tune in to their inner child.

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Miss Emily’s journey to the Junos

Miss Emily LIVE at the Isabel nominated for 2022 Juno Awards blues album of the year

It’s been 18 years since Emily Fennell became a full-time musician. She began winning accolades as a pre-teen at county fairs. She spent a few years playing in bars, travelling across Ontario for gigs. Now, she has five albums, a loyal fanbase, and she holds the record for the most sold-out performances at Kingston’s Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts (The Isabel). Emily Fennell, known as Miss Emily on stage, has now garnered national recognition by being nominated for blues album of the year at the 2022 Juno Awards—and we’re really not surprised.

Miss Emily’s refined but edgy, sweet but sultry, vocals have been charming Kingston music-lovers for years. The record that has made her a Juno-nominated artist, Miss Emily LIVE at the Isabel, is a compilation of several live performances at the Isabel. The 15-track album features songs from two album release shows for In Between, featuring Gord Sinclair and Rob Baker (2017), and selections from Miss Emily Sings Kingston II (2018), and Miss Emily in Concert (2019 and 2020).

Photo credit: Gord Hunter

We spoke with Miss Emily about how it feels to be a Juno-nominated artist. Although she’s had some extreme personal challenges in the last year, experienced the stress of caring for a teenaged daughter amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and been busy working on a new record set for release this October, she couldn’t be more excited.

“There have been some very dark times and now I’ve got this thing and it doesn’t ever expire. It’s always this thing that I did, which was become a Juno-nominated artist, whether I win or not. I’ve hit that milestone and it never gets erased for any reason. That’s so cool. I do hope to win too; why not? Why not try to? “

Miss Emily was born in Prince Edward County but has lived in Kingston for the past 18 years. She describes her passion for songwriting as a disease she’s been afflicted with, for as far back as she can remember. She only ever wanted to be a singer. It was the Kingston community that supported her as a full-time musician and single mom with a mortgage at just 23 years old.

 

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“Prince Edward County is where I grew up and Kingston has developed me as an adult. I came here as a kid on March 1, 2004, and in September 2004 I found out I was pregnant. I was literally thrown into adulthood in my early twenties and this place really cushioned the blow of it for me and supported me as an artist. I can only feed my family and pay my mortgage if people come to my shows and support my music. I can’t credit the community enough for that, really.”

With the Kingston community continuing to support her throughout her career, in 2020 alone, Miss Emily earned the title of Maple Blues Awards Female Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, and Sapphire Canadian Blues Music Video Award winner (for her music video, “Hold Back the River,” filmed inside the Kingston Penitentiary).

But Miss Emily says talent is only one aspect of her success. She also credits a positive attitude, smart business decisions, personal connections, and the notion that great risks make for greater rewards. In fact, the earliest shows she did at the Isabel were five-figure risks she produced herself. Beginning with hundreds of personal phone calls made and emails sent to sell tickets, Miss Emily has since devoted herself to performing in large theatres to advance her career. She’s seen the doors open ever since.

 

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Her Juno nomination, then, is particularly special. The album takes place entirely at the Isabel, a venue whose staff is incredibly supportive of Miss Emily’s musical vision. Creating the Juno-nominated album was a community process. The song selection process began with the Isabel sending her the soundboard recordings from six of her shows. After listening closely to every song, Miss Emily condensed the list to about 20 tracks and sent them on to her manager, friends, and family members.

“I asked people who have a music background and people who don’t: ‘What do you like?’ One of the really unique things about this record—and it’s incredibly old-school how we did it—but there are no overdubs. Every single thing you hear on that record was literally happening on that stage at that time. We didn’t take anything out, we didn’t put anything in. Normally people overdub something like a guitar solo. There’s editing, to make it sound seamless because it is five shows, so the audience applause rolls together and that kind of thing, but there are no music overdubs. It’s insane.”

Photo credit: Jillian Lorraine Photography

Miss Emily praises the 14 other musicians represented on the record, whose talent allowed for such a flawless production.

“That’s a ton of incredibly talented people to not be flubbering up the whole thing, you know? There are usually some things out of tune, or somebody forgets to come in at a certain time but there’s none of that. I know it’s my record and I sound almost silly when I talk about it but there’s some flawlessness to it in some ways and I can’t even take credit for it because I’m not playing all the instruments. I’m just one of fifteen people on that record. It only works that way if everyone is bringing their 100 per cent A-game.”

The record captures what are undoubtedly Miss Emily’s strengths: her fierce vocals, phenomenal stage presence, and stellar audience engagement. Slow, heartbreaking tracks flow into more upbeat, jazzy tunes, never compromising on fearless lyrics. Critics have deemed her reminiscent of the likes of Aretha Franklin and Amy Winehouse. Her inspiration as a songwriter comes from refusing to follow one piece of advice:

“I was given great advice years ago which was ‘don’t write only about yourself because you don’t need to give away all your secrets’…and I’ve never taken that advice. My songs are literally my diary. I get up on the stage and sing my own personal experiences and thoughts and feelings and hopes and dreams and fears. It’s like the last 20 years of my life has been documented in my songs.”

 

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While Miss Emily writes songs inspired by her own experiences, her goal is also to reach out to others and connect people as a population. She’s realized that most of us have the same fears and loves and desires. For example, her next album includes an environmental song called “Respect Your Mother,” which touches on her personal concern about—and the broader issue of—climate change.

Community has always been a huge part of Miss Emily’s life, both on a personal and professional level. She sees Kingston as the type of city that encourages its vibrant artists and uplifts a thriving music community where people support one another.

“Some people like Gord [Sinclair] and Rob [Baker], who are top of the food chain in our industry, in this country, are here in Kingston—and then you have people busking downtown. At one of my Miss Emily Sings Kingston shows, I had a guy named Jonas Lewis Anthony perform. Jonas, now, is quite recognized in town because he’s the lead singer for the band, The Wilderness, and he also sings and plays guitar in Kasador. He’s really talented, but when I first discovered him in my way, he was busking downtown Kingston. I stepped out of the car, and I walked over to him and asked, ‘Will you be in my show?’ Gord and Rob were a part of that show, so we had somebody who was busking at the time, then on stage with two guys from The Tragically Hip.”

Miss Emily refuses to stop celebrating Kingston’s music scene, particularly the way that everyone appreciates unique talent and various levels of success.

The 2022 Juno Awards take place in Toronto on Sunday, May 15.

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Breakfast Inn Bed

These historic Kingston inns are more than just a place to hang your hat while in town. Enjoy history, elegance, romance—and of course, heavenly breakfasts in a league of their own. In addition to breakfast, some also offer divine dinners, high tea, and signature cocktails.

When you stay at one of these inns, you’ll quickly learn that breakfast isn’t just the first meal of the day: it’s a passion.

Eggs Frontenac (poached eggs on an English muffin with smoked salmon, asparagus, and Hollandaise).

The luxurious Frontenac Club, located in the heart of downtown Kingston, offers a complimentary, full-service, gourmet breakfast with every overnight stay. Depending on which day you indulge, you may enjoy Eggs Frontenac, their take on Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and steamed asparagus. Other offerings include an omelette selection and French toast stuffed with ham and cheddar, pear and brie, or Nutella and bananas.

The Frontenac Club also offers dinner at their gastropub, The Bank. This upscale lounge and patio offers both small bites and large plates highlighting local ingredients: The Bank is frequented by locals as well as overnight guests. Treat yourself to a handcrafted club cocktail in this one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Hotel guests can also take advantage of in-room dining during operating hours.

Relax and refresh yourself at this elegant limestone boutique hotel that combines contemporary and historic touches—ensuring your stay is lavish yet homey.

House-made peach pancake with seasonal fruit salad and sausages.

Centrally located in historic Sydenham Ward, The Secret Garden Inn treats guests to a gourmet breakfast served in their stunning oak-panelled dining room.

Settle into the elegant surroundings of an 1888 Victorian home and dive into the evolving menu that promises you’ll likely never have the same breakfast twice. After a refreshing sleep on your Casper Wave mattress, savour the delicious pan-European breakfast menu. Made-to-order sweet and savoury options, made with locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, are available from 8 to 10 am. Most dietary restriction and earlier breakfast times can be accommodated. For an additional cost, invite friends or family to join you for the morning meal—just indicate the size of your group in advance.

Some favourite entrées include Eggs Benedict au boeuf in vol-au-vent (puff pastry with a pan-seared fillet of beef, sautéed peppers, poached egg, fresh herbs, white wine Hollandaise, and roasted potatoes) or stuffed portobello mushroom (pan-seared portobello mushroom stuffed with a mixture of roasted red peppers, caramelized onion, and cream cheese; baked with melted triple cream brie; and served with a soft poached egg and roasted potatoes).

Some sweet options guests rave about include sweet crêpes (stuffed with lemon mascarpone, mixed lemon and fresh berry cream cheese, and topped with strawberry coulis and icing sugar) and stuffed French toast (fresh Brioche bread stuffed with berries, cream cheese, and strawberry coulis). The meals are finished with a side of fresh fruit.

You can also indulge in their three-course chef’s tasting dinner with unique wine pairings and handcrafted cocktails in their gorgeous dining room or transform your afternoon into an elegant affair with high tea in the library. Tea at The Secret Garden Inn is inspired by Victorian heritage and includes homemade, traditional English fare such as dainty cakes, fresh scones, and petit fours—all served on hand-crafted, tiered cake stands.

Experience a piece of history in the most luxurious way possible at this dreamy historic inn.

Not to be missed is the unforgettable breakfast experience at The Rosemount Inn , where overnight guests are treated to a gourmet delight. Their in-house chef prepares and delivers beautiful continental breakfast boxes to guestrooms each morning. The boxes contain savoury breakfast sandwiches and wraps, freshly baked pastries, a selection of fresh fruit, cheese, and Black River juice.

You can’t go wrong with a curated selection of items made in-house daily and delivered right to your door. Each room also features premium tea and a Nespresso coffee machine to get your day started.

The Rosemount Inn encapsulates the epitome of elegance with its timeless design that fuses Victorian grandeur with contemporary touches. Nestled within historic downtown Kingston, The Rosemount Inn transforms a stay into a classy retreat.

If you’re looking for some of the best breakfasts in town—you found them. Whether you want a romantic getaway, a spa experience, or a special venue for a business meeting, these bed and breakfasts are perfect for your home base while exploring Kingston.

This article was updated April 2022 to reflect changes in menus and venues, using previous content by another writer.

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Meet the makers: Kenny Maple Syrup

Tapping into a family tradition

Three generations of the Kenny family

In the 1930s, the Kenny family tapped the maple trees on their dairy farm on Brewers Mills Road in Kingston. The farm has remained in the Kenny family ever since. And while the family’s maple syrup operation wound down in the 1970s, as they moved onto other farming endeavours, the great-grandchildren of the original farmers revived the practice in 2014. And for the last eight years, the Kenny brothers – Braden, Lyndon, Keaton, and Hudson – have honed their maple syrup business, applying their mechanical, engineering, chemistry, and carpentry skills to modernize the collection and distillation of maple sap.

In 2014, Braden Kenny was visiting his wife’s family and saw his father-in-law making a small batch of maple syrup on a propane boiler. “I didn’t actually know the process [of syrup-making],” Braden says, but when he got home, he tried it himself, tapping a few trees in the 40-acre maple bush on the family farm. There were still a few sap-collection buckets lying around from the older operation.

Metal buckets like this one were once used to collect sap from individual maple trees: today the Kenny family uses a pipeline and vacuum pump system to harvest sap from up to 900 trees.

“We ended up making a litre or two of syrup,” he says. “And it was kind of fun. So, we expanded it the next year, and then the year after that, and I got my brothers involved.”

It takes about 40 litres of maple sap to make one litre of syrup. Some maple trees may give a litre of sap in a day. And for the best strongest, sweetest sap, it takes a cold winter, and a slow spring, freezing at night and warm in the day. That gets sap flowing, ready for tapping in March.

Locally, 2022 has been a good year for the maple sap. Braden says, “This year, our sugar content is well over two brix – that’s the how they measure the density of the sap.” [One brix is equal to about 1 per cent sugar content.]

The Kennys now have about 900 trees on their property tapped, with peripheral plastic lines tapped from individual trees feeding into larger lines that run 4,000 feet down the length of the maple bush. The lines move the sap, via a 12-volt vacuum pump system – a creation of Braden’s – into a large holding tank. It’s a much more efficient system than using sap-collection buckets.

Maple sap runs through plastic lines downhill to a collection tank. It takes 40 litres of sap to make one litre of maple syrup.

But just because much of the sap collection has been streamlined, that doesn’t mean that it’s an automated operation. The plastic lines through the sugar bush need to be checked daily for damage by squirrels, falling branches, or other hazards that can disrupt the slow, steady collection of sap. This can turn into a group activity for the Kenny family on the weekend, with the kids running through the maple bush helping to check the lines for damage.

A family walk through the maple bush to check on the sap lines.

Once collected, maple sap is run through a reverse osmosis machine, to remove some of the water before the sap goes to the evaporator. Reverse osmosis saves a lot of time in the syrup-making process. But there are some corners that can’t be cut in creating a rich maple syrup. The boiling process takes hours, and it requires constant supervision. The Kennys use maple wood for the evaporator, and the fire needs to be consistently stoked with wood to maintain a steady heat while the sap is boiled down into syrup before it is filtered and bottled. (The wood used in the fire serves another purpose: it’s dead wood taken from the maple bush to make room for healthy trees to grow.)

Dead maple wood is used for the fire to boil sap into syrup.

It’s a long process, but one that is worth the wait. And in the extended Kenny family, there’s a role for kids in performing quality assurance on the syrup as it’s being made.

“They always want to taste-test the syrup,” laughs Braden. “When it’s coming up hot, that’s when it’s best. And they know to ask what the [evaporator] gauge is at: ‘Is it seven yet?’ That’s seven degrees above the boiling point of water. That’s when it becomes syrup.”

You can try it yourself. In Kingston, Kenny maple syrup is available for purchase at the Visitor Information Centre at 209 Ontario Street.

Enjoy locally made syrup: you can find Kenny maple syrup at the Visitor Information Centre.

Photos by Bernard Clark

Kenny Maple Syrup Facebook

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A breath of fresh air

Five outdoor experiences in Kingston for spring

Spring is here! The clocks have sprung forward, and the darkness of winter is ebbing away. If you’re itching for some fresh air after a long winter, we’ve found five local outdoor activities to get you in a sunny mood. Spending time in nature is not only a great way to get moving, but it’s also been proven to reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and increase endorphin and dopamine levels.

Hiking

Hiking is a great way to experience nature and indulge all your senses – and the Kingston region has numerous locations for both the beginner and the experienced hiker. Intermediate to advanced hikers will love Gould Lake located at 1540 Gould Lake Road, Sydenham. The location offers about 20 kilometres of trails around a sparkling lake. You can choose to challenge yourself by traversing the rugged woods or hiking along the shoreline. The area is open daily from 7:30 am to dusk. Entrance fees are $5 for adults and $3.50 for children (12 and under). More information about the conservation area can be found on the Gould Lake webpage.

One family-friendly hiking spot that’s great for beginners is Lemoine Point at 1440 Coverdale Drive. Lemoine Point boasts approximately 11 kilometres of hiking trails through woodland, fields, and marshes. Lake Ontario and Collins Bay border the area, and scenic lookouts and beaches are scattered throughout. Admission is free and it’s open daily from 7:30 am to dusk.

Canoe- and kayak-lovers can also check out all the ways you can paddle the thousands of lakes and rivers in the Frontenac Arch Biosphere. The Frontenac Arch Biosphere hiking page has even more hiking spots to explore.

Remember to engage all your senses as you hike – listen carefully for bird calls, notice the feeling of your feet on the earth, and keep your eyes open for spotting wildlife. Practising mindfulness helps regulate emotions and decrease stress.

Cycling

Kingston is a cyclist’s heaven. Visit Kingston offers an entire webpage dedicated to the activity! The area offers a variety of roads and trails as well as bike rental services. You can view bike rentals, tours, shops and cycling routes on our website.

One of our favourite routes takes the cyclist through the Kingston Mills and Brewer Mills Locks. Journey through 300- to 500-million-year-old rock and granite outcroppings in the area known as the Grenville Arch. You’ll enjoy a stunning view of the Rideau waterway on a gently rolling to hilly route.

Those looking for a gentler ride can embark on the Cataraqui: Inverary Cruise loop. Beginning at the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area, this route offers a view of the countryside complete with farms, pastures, and wetlands. You’ll head north of Kingston to witness a transition from limestone to hills and will have the chance to rest at the Inverary golf course before returning.

Adventure-seekers who want to work up a sweat can start their journey in the town of Sydenham with the Sydenham: Desert Lake loop. Pedal by Canadian Shield granite outcroppings, forests, fields, and small lakes on this route consisting of steep hills and valleys. This is a challenging 43-kilometre journey with approximately 260 metres of altitude change.

Cycle Kingston also offers plenty of resources if you are looking to learn more about riding in Kingston.

Outdoor escape rooms

Get some steps in and put your detective skills to the test with an outdoor escape room that’s fun for everyone! Improbable Escapes, an award-winning escape room company, offers three outdoor adventures. Wander through the streets of downtown Kingston while solving puzzles.

We’re excited about Kingston Conspiracy, an alien-inspired game re-opening April 1, 2022. Help Kingston’s “Paranormal and Non-Terrestrial Security Society” prove aliens exist by exploring the downtown core to find extraterrestrial activity.

Other outdoor game options already available include A Slice of Crime: The Case of John Dough and Who Let the Cats Out. You can find more information on the Improbable Escapes website. Make sure to dress for the weather – you’ll be spending 65 to 90 minutes solving mysteries outside!

 

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Skateboarding

Get some air (both in your lungs and on your board) at a Kingston skatepark. Skaters of all skill levels can use the parks daily from dawn to dusk. We suggest visiting Shannon Park Skatepark on Daly Street at McCauley Street, the largest and newest skatepark in the city. It’s 8,000 square feet of fun, featuring skateboarding elements as well as a gathering area.

Skaters can also try Polson Skatepark at Polson Park on Portsmouth Avenue (a 2,000 square-foot concrete skatepark including a halfpipe, rail, ledge, fun box, and set-up banks) or Grenadier Skatespot at Grenadier Park at 41 Grenadier Drive (a 3,000 square-foot concrete skatepark with a quarter pipe, tabletop with rail, and fun box). Make sure to snap a pic of some wicked stunts!

If you’re looking to pick up some gnarly gear and accessories, check out BSE Skate Shop, one of the longest standing independent skate shops in Canada. You can also rest in their gorgeous courtyard with a beverage from their coffee bar.

Participate in the Limestone Race Weekend

The Kingston Road Runner’s Association will host its annual Limestone Race Weekend Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24 – and registration is now open. This is Kingston’s largest annual running event and includes both in-person and virtual races. In-person events include a five-kilometre, a waterfront 10 kilometre, or the historic half-marathon. The virtual option means you can run, walk, or hike around your neighbourhood, on a trail, or on the treadmill – whatever gets you moving! The whole family is welcome, too. There’s a two-kilometre Tom Compton Memorial Run for kids. Proceeds from the Limestone Race Weekend go to BGC South East (Boys and Girls Club of Kingston and Area).

Make sure you register by April 3 to get your shirt (5k, 10k, and half) and medal (half).

Prioritize your physical and mental well-being by getting out and about around Kingston. Here comes the sun!

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At the end of the labyrinth: Martello Alley

Wendy and David Dossett of Martello Alley

Sometimes you must lose yourself to truly find yourself in the heart of Kingston.

This city of labyrinths – a place of intrigue, curiosities, and astonishment – is home to intimate little nooks, slowly revealing their secrets to the adventurer. This is the case of Martello Alley, a small, bright, colourful gallery – as well as a Kingstonian artists’ cooperative – at 203B Wellington Street.

“A turn here, a stone wall there. Small, graceful balconies, secret courtyards. A sculpture quietly suspended above your head. A work of art exhibited on the walls of an alley. These are all jewels that are unique in Kingston!” says David Dossett, artist and owner of Martello Alley.

“This city is an adventure with a wonderfully artistic ending,” he continues.

Martello Alley is inspired by the rue du Trésor in Quebec’s old city, as well as those pretty French alleyways where artists exhibit and sell their works. To reach the gallery, one must pass under the ancient arches of a former carriageway, arriving in a small and charming alleyway whose walls are brightened with works of art. However, the charm of this little sanctuary of inspiration has not always been evident.

“It was once a neglected area. I asked myself, ‘Why doesn’t anyone do anything with these alleyways?’ Finally, I got tired of hearing myself wonder out loud,” says David. “I took this little ignored corner of Kingston and made it into something sublime.”

Wendy and David Dossett of Martello Alley
Wendy and David Dossett of Martello Alley

Martello Alley is an artist collective offering eclectic works that are sure to brighten any day. Offering original artwork as well as prints, this is an art shopping experience designed for any budget, any style, and size of space.

“The great thing about our art is that it is the creation of people who are from here,” says David. “I am always amazed and inspired by the creativity of the artists in our community.”

After the impact of the current pandemic on sales and visits at Martello Alley, David has resolved to focus on the gallery’s digital experience, including through a virtual tour of the gallery and by enabling online sales.

“The Martello Alley virtual tour was a great success,” says David. “We need to change the way we deliver our gallery experience and bring art to our community in every way possible.”

Plague doctor ornaments made by artist Bonnie Humber
Plague doctor ornaments made by artist Bonnie Humber

It is, however, a worthy adventure to visit Martello Alley’s gallery in person. A haven of treasures, its alleys and the gallery invite the adventurer to search, dream, and escape into the genius of local artists and artisans. On a table, a plague doctor ornament, its beak long and eyes shaded by thick glasses (“People love it!” exclaims David). In a drawer teeming with small gems, a colouring book for children that highlights the most beautiful monuments and landscapes of Kingston. And on the limestone wall, a painting of Wendy, David’s wife, painted in a style reminiscent of the great Jean-Paul Lemieux, an immortal of québécois painting.

“One day I was inspired to paint Wendy’s portrait,” says David. “She comes from a small farm in Pennsylvania, and I wanted to paint her like that, on a farm, but also in a style that would pay homage to Quebec, where we first met.”

David’s portrait of Wendy, done in the style of Jean-Paul Lemieux

David and Wendy met at the Université Laval, he explains, where they were both young students in love with Quebec, its French, its art, and its spirit. This journey into Quebec was inspired by his father, a British Spitfire pilot during the Second World War, who learned French out of affection for la belle province.

“He loved Quebec. And so do I!”

French was a true family love story – David’s mother was determined that her son would learn the language.

“First, it was twenty minutes a day! But it was not enough to learn the nuances of the language. I had the chance to participate in an exchange in Baie Comeau,” recalls David. “I loved learning to speak French among Quebecers.”

Despite being kept busy by his gallery, David does not content himself solely with making art available to the dreamers who wander the labyrinths of Martello Alley. David is also the founder of Froid’Art, an exhibition of art displayed among the great winds of a Kingstonian winter. David democratizes art, allowing everyone to draw inspiration from the poetry and beauty of the city’s public spaces.

The inspiration for Art Froid’Art came when David noticed that Kingston’s landscapes of Kingston were often grey, dull, and sad in the depths of winter, especially after the Christmas lights that had lit up the city had gone dark. In the winter that is this country, he imagined works of art exposed under the stars, à la belle étoile, frosted with ice, illuminated with beams of light, and adorned with snow and cold.

“Froid’Art has become a Kingston winter tradition,” David says with pride.

Finally, David looks to the future; he has recently opened Martello on Brock, a second gallery at 66 Brock Street that also features local artists and artisans in a retro-Ontario atmosphere.

“Here at Martello Alley, the atmosphere is a retro Montreal. It is the old Lower Canada. Martello on Brock is typical of Upper Canada, a retro Ontario.”

Whether he is heading Martello Alley, Froid’Art, or Martello on Brock, David’s artistic philosophy reamains immutable.

“Art is everywhere in Kingston. It embodies the soul of the city and the community. It renews people and places. It’s transformative, wonderful, inspiring.”

***

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Meet the maker: Ksenia Kopynstynska of Ars Libri

The stories behind Kingston’s only book restoration studio

Ars Libri Book Restoration Studio and Designer Leather Work | 60 Brock Street | Website

Intellect and imagination – Ksenia Kopystynska combines both every time she’s in her book restoration and designer leather work studio. Ars Libri, which means “the art of books” in Latin, was established in 1996. The studio offers hand bookbinding and book restoration services as well as designer leatherwork, and Ksenia does it all by hand, and by herself. Her specialty studio originally operated in Edmonton before Ksenia moved to Kingston in 2016. Within the first month of opening her studio in Kingston, Ksenia received an overwhelming number of orders.

The studio specializes in rare services of designer hand bookbinding, book and document restoration, designer leatherwork, and paper deacidification. Ksenia’s skills serve a variety of customers, from book collectors, special collection libraries and museums to individual customers looking to restore a family Bible, cookbook or document or to leather-bind their favourite book.

Ksenia’s interest in books began as a child growing up in Poland, spending time in her grandparents’ extensive library. She explains how her family collected books for generations:

“They collected books, not because of the covers, but for the intellectual content. When I think about my childhood, I see this huge library with my grandmother sitting there. My grandfather, who was a Latin and Greek professor, was killed in World War II. The only way I could know him was through the books that he collected, and the stories that were connected with them. The interest in restoration happened later, because for a long time I couldn’t decide on my profession. Intellectually, I was interested in so many things. In Poland for six years, I studied Library and Information Science but there were so many different subjects that aroused my interest. I couldn’t decide what to choose. Each time I went to the library to write my thesis, I’d pick up another book.”

In Poland, there was no shortage of work for book restorers, with books requiring attention due to their age or due to damage from war. Ksenia’s university studies in Poland gave her theoretical knowledge in all aspects of book history; training with a master bookbinder gave her the technical skills involved with bookbinding. She also received more training in North America and worked for several years at the University of Alberta preserving books.

Growing up in Europe surrounded by so much medieval architecture inspired Ksenia’s love of medieval aesthetics. She uses inspiration from the Middle Ages as her focus in her work, and then modernizes with metal industrial elements and semi-precious stones. She’s particularly fascinated by how medieval art emphasized the beauty of harmony, as well as cultivated a sense of mysticism. Medieval art was also created without complicated equipment. Ksenia uses the same techniques that were used by medieval bookbinders because bookbinding is a trade that has not changed much since it was invented.

Working with physical books – either designing or restoring them – also gives Ksenia the opportunity to read them, satisfying her desire not to feel limited to one subject. Additionally, designer hand bookbinding ideally combines intellectual and artistic talent. By mixing creativity and technicality, Ars Libri has garnered a reputation for excellence. Ksenia has restored items such as a sixteenth-century medical book and parchment documents damaged in a fire – and has worked with customers from across North America.

“Restoration is a combination of science and art. There is the structure – one has to be very good technically and artistically to make all the repairs and bring the book back to its original condition. There are skills to learn from every bookbinder, from every lab, from every conservator. You just pick up little tricks and things and use them later in the work.”

Despite all her training, Ksenia confesses she is still learning, as every book brought for restoration is different. Rare books require specific and unique skills to match the original technique used to create them, or else one risks destroying the works in the process.

The studio’s designer leatherwork allows Ksenia to tap into her creative side a little more. All her items are handmade with high-quality Italian leather used for book restoration and hand bookbinding. Customers can work with Ksenia to create unique items. As well as designing book covers, Ksenia creates leather journals, leather bags and purses, hats, bracelets, belts, and wallets. She simply loves to work with leather, and she has the technical skills and understanding of its properties required to work well with it. Whereas restoration work requires a specific structure to recreate the original binding, designer leatherwork allows Ksenia the pleasure of flexibility and expression.

Every day spent in her studio is a thrill for Ksenia. Each book has its own story, telling how it began, where it has been, how it was read, and how it was damaged. Ksenia says:

“The book is alive. Every book has a history that starts living in my imagination as soon as I lay my hands on it and turn the pages.”

When Ksenia walks down a street in Kingston, she often hears, “Hi, bookbinder!” The recognition brings her nothing but joy.

“They call me, ‘our bookbinder!’ It’s very rarely I’m referred to by my name. Yes – I am our bookbinder and that’s a very nice thing. The community makes me feel like I’m at home.”

By healing damaged books and creating one-of-a-kind pieces, Ksenia has created a unique chapter in Kingston’s own story.

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The ‘art de flâner’: SENS Café

SENS Café | 136 Ontario Street | Website

At SENS Café, coffee is elixir. Poetry. Alchemy. It nourishes l’art de flâner, the art of lingering, of taking a moment to live well. Housed in a heritage building on the shores of Lake Ontario, this specialty café welcomes all those who are curious to explore and discover the full richness of coffee’s symphony of flavours.

Founded by Isabelle and Pierre Tardiveau, a visit to SENS Café is a must during a stay in Kingston. Originally from Annecy in the French Alps, the couple reinvented themselves in 2014, leaving behind unfulfilling careers and starting their lives from scratch.

“One day, I became interested in coffee and specialty coffee,” says Pierre. “And I’ve always liked to bring pleasure to life first and foremost!” adds Isabelle.

The couple founded the Barista Café in Annecy, inspired by the French bistro experience, where the neighborhood comes together and forge bonds with each other. It was through a chance friendship with a Canadian citizen, who discovered specialty coffee alongside the couple, that Isabelle and Pierre were persuaded to pursue new horizons in Canada.

SENS Café, which opened its doors in November 2021, is already inspiring loyalty and affection among its budding clientele: “Whenever I’m away from Kingston, SENS is one of the things I miss the most!” exclaims one devotee on social media.

“What’s magical about SENS Café are the wonderful encounters with people in our neighbourhood, our community, who come together to share a beautiful moment over good coffee,” says Isabelle.

“This notion of sharing is one of the hallmarks of third-wave cafés,” says Pierre. “The first wave began in the 1900s. We drank coffee because it was hot and good for the body. The second wave began in the 1970s, with the emergence of major players such as Starbucks and Tim Hortons, who showed the public different ways of drinking coffee: filter, espresso, with or without milk, hot or cold.”

“Then comes the third wave, which reveals the aromatic richness of coffee, through slow coffee-making methods like filters. This third wave of coffee highlights the characteristics of each of the varieties, each of the terroirs, each of the origins of coffee. As with wine, coffee offers a wealth of aromas that this third wave is intended to reveal to palates.”

“A third-wave barista is a coffee sommelier,” he continues. “That barista is interested in the origins of the coffee they serve, the farms that grow the beans, and the families of farmers who harvest the coffee. They are familiar with methods of preparation of these coffee beans and how they have been roasted. This barista will even be able to tell you about the dégustation rituals spanning many origins and which strengthen the spirit of community within these farming families, who are so deeply concerned with respect for tradition.”

It is this spirit of community that resonates with the Tardiveaus, and which echoes the French art de vivre, the art of living well.

“When we say that we want to share a little of our French way of life, it is precisely by trying to get people to slow down, to delay them a little, inviting them to take their time,” explains Isabelle.

SENS Café exists at the crossroads of Kingston’s Francophonie, a community that is both local and international, where Francophones and Francophiles rub shoulders, mingle, and share their perspectives on the world.

“We realized that word of mouth works well on the fact that we speak French. And, little by little, people pass through the door, curious, and come in to speak French to us,” explains Isabelle.

“But we never wanted to recreate a small part of France in Canada. We just want to bring a French touch to the local community,” says Pierre.

It is precisely to bring that local touch that Isabelle and Pierre sought a unique local home for their new café, a building anchored in Kingston’s story. Located in a former fish market on Ontario Street with silvery limestone walls, SENS Café gives a modern touch on a heritage city building.

Isabelle and Pierre entrusted the enormous responsibility of transforming this heritage space to Alexander Wilson Architect Inc., who has enhanced the site’s notable historical character, including its century-old shelves and chimney, all set in a luminous white space. Historical curiosities are also displayed in the space, such as an old fishing boat wheel, a local heritage objet, and a testament to the building’s origins.

“Our café offers a contemporary atmosphere in a historic cocoon,” says Pierre.

Behind the counter at SENS Café, baristas are hard at work, the orchestra of this symphony of the senses. Pierre himself trains the baristas in coffeeology, taking the time to recount the story of a particular coffee’s terroir and of the families who grow the beans, to both his team and his clientele.

“We recently tasted a coffee with aromas of passionfruit. And when you savour it, you could taste strawberry,” says Isabelle. “It takes a bit of work to get to this point. But we want everyone to be able to experience the expression of our coffees.”

Whether it’s to taste the perfumed aromas of fresh coffees, to set one’s gaze on luxurious gourmandises, or to indulge in the art de flâner, SENS Café offers a unique coffee experience in Kingston.

“We believe that good coffee should not be reserved for a minority of experts,” exclaim the Tardiveaus. “Our goal is to satisfy your curiosity, to allow you to travel within a cup, but above all to let you enjoy your coffee as you like it – and why not make beautiful encounters in a warm atmosphere at the same time.”

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25 things to do in Kingston this spring 2022

We’re welcoming spring with open arms along with 25 things to do this season. Enjoy shows at the Kingston Grand Theatre and Leon’s Centre, the return of in-person craft shows, music festivals, and more.

Do you have an event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our events calendar for consideration! Be sure to click each image for full event details.

1. Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises

Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises

2. Kingston Trolley Tours

Kingston Trolley Tours

3. Meghan Patrick live

Meghan Patrick live

4. Drag show: Mother Knows Best

Drag show: Mother Knows Best

5. Art Threads spring exhibit

Art Threads spring exhibit

6. Riverdance: 25th anniversary show

Riverdance: 25th anniversary show

7. The Glorious Sons live

The Glorious Sons live

8. Just for Laughs Roadshow

Just for Laughs Roadshow

9. The Arkells live

The Arkells live

10. Limestone Race Weekend

Limestone Race Weekend

11. The Juvenis Festival

The Juvenis Festival

12. Kingston Potters’ Guild spring sale

Kingston Potters' Guild spring sale

13. 2022 Metal Rocks Show

2022 Metal Rocks Show

14. Celtic Illusion

Celtic Illusion

15. Forest Therapy walks

Little Cataraqui Creek

16. Homegrown Live Music Festival

Homegrown Live Music Festival

17. Just for Laughs Comedy Night In Canada – Hosted by Rick Mercer

Just for Laughs Comedy Night In Canada - Hosted by Rick Mercer

18. Open Studio Artists Exhibition

Open Studio Artists Exhibition

19. Mother Mother – The INSIDE Tour

Mother Mother - The INSIDE Tour

20. Sarah Harmer 2022 “Are You Gone” Tour

Sarah Harmer 2022 "Are You Gone" Tour

21. Jann Arden live

Jann Arden live

22. Art After Dark

Art After Dark

23. 1000 Islands Treetop Trekking

1000 Islands Treetop Trekking

24. Improbable Escapes outdoor adventures

Improbable Escapes outdoor adventures

25. Expanded patios

Expanded patios

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25 things to do in April 2022

We’re holding a cluster of great Kingston events in our hands like a bouquet of fresh spring blooms and we can’t wait to share them with you! From The Glorious Sons live to the Juvenis Festival, the return of Trolley Tours, and 1000 Islands Cruises, we’re celebrating April 2022 in style. Take a deep breath of nice warm air, get out there, and have some fun.

Do you have an event you’d like featured on our monthly list? Add it to our events calendar for consideration!

1. Kingston Frontenacs Games

Kingston Frontenacs Games

2. Drag show: Mother Knows Best

Drag show: Mother Knows Best

3. Art Threads spring exhibit

Art Threads spring exhibit

4. Meghan Patrick Live

Meghan Patrick Live

5. Meet the wheel workshop

Meet the wheel workshop

6. Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market

Memorial Centre Farmers' Market

7. Ben Caplan Live

Ben Caplan Live

8. Riverdance: 25th anniversary show

Riverdance: 25th anniversary show

9. Thursday Tour

Thursday Tour

10. The Glorious Sons Live

The Glorious Sons Live

11. Return of Kingston Trolley Tours

Return of Kingston Trolley Tours

12. Improbable Escapes outdoor adventures

Improbable Escapes outdoor adventures

13. Return of Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises

Return of Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises

14. Catch a new film

Catch a new film

15. The Stampeders Live

The Stampeders Live

16. The Arkells Live

The Arkells Live

17. XTreme Trampoline Park

XTreme Trampoline Park

18. Just for Laughs Roadshow

Just for Laughs Roadshow

19. Limestone Race Weekend

Limestone Race Weekend

20. Sherlock’s Escape rooms

Sherlock's Escape rooms

21. The Juvenis Festival

The Juvenis Festival

22. Kingston Potters’ Guild spring sale

Kingston Potters' Guild spring sale

23. 2022 Metal Rocks Show

2022 Metal Rocks Show

24. Celtic Illusion

Celtic Illusion

25. Forest Therapy Walks

Forest Therapy Walks

Events just in

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Unwind at Baja Craft Kitchen

Baja Craft Kitchen | A-253 Ontario Street | Website

Want to give yourself a break and enjoy a high-spirited meal? Baja Craft Kitchen, one of the newest restaurants on the downtown dining scene, is making waves with their passion for fresh flavours, vibrant cocktails, and the relaxed coastal feeling of Southern California. Baja offers a contemporary dining experience with authentic tostadas and fish tacos. We spoke with Baja’s manager, Dave McNamara, and the restaurant’s bar manager, Jacob Riha, about how they keep their restaurant cool and contemporary. Jacob says it’s all about a laidback approach to an elevated dining experience: “We’re pumping out some impressive dishes and some cool cocktails. You can come with your family. You can come on a date night, you can come with any kind of style or group of people, and it’s laid back.”

The idea of the restaurant began over a decade ago, while Dave was travelling with his wife and business partner, Becky. They found themselves looking for stylish, Southern Californian restaurants – and they picked up inspiration for their own establishment along the way. They became dedicated to building a place they would truly love to dine at and hoped their friends would feel the same. Baja is what Jacob calls “a little escape while in Kingston.”

And if you’re looking to truly indulge, try one of Baja’s unique, handcrafted cocktails. Jacob sees cocktails as crucial to the experience:

“For me, craftmanship behind the bar is the best way to give someone that kind of memorable experience that we’re always striving for. It’s really that first sip of that first cocktail that is their first impression – it’s your first opportunity to really wow somebody.”

With the culinary world’s transition to becoming more conscious exactly what goes on a plate – or in a drink – Jacob is careful to source materials that are not only sustainable but tell a fun story.

“I love getting creative behind the bar because I love telling a story through that experience. So not only do I want the customer to know what’s in that drink but also why we chose to use that particular ingredient, where we got it from, why we got it from there, how we put it together and how it all fits into this little puzzle. Every drink on our menu has a story and I love giving my servers something they can talk about at a table so that every customer leaves with something that they won’t forget.”

Baja highlights agave spirits, such as tequila and mescal which, Jacob feels, remain relatively untapped in Kingston, despite a growing popularity for them in other parts of the world. One of their new margarita variations is the Tamarindo margarita, made with mezcal, Cointreau, Howler Head bourbon, fresh lime, strawberry coulis (made with locally grown strawberries) and tangy tamarind syrup. Jacob explains the slightly smoky, strawberry-banana flavour was inspired by the town of Tamarindo in Cost Rica. The town is home to a wildlife reserve known for protecting howler monkeys.

Dave and Jacob have been working in the Kingston dining industry for a long time. Dave is the owner of Union Kitchen + Cocktails, Union Market and the Merchant Tap House and Jacob has spent several years crafting unique drinks for the limestone city. Dave and Jacob are excited to proclaim their pride not only for what’s coming out of Baja Craft Kitchen, but who is in the kitchen.

Baja’s Graham Quance (head chef), Nikk Tompkins (sous chef) and Eric Brennan (executive chef for the entire company) opened the restaurant during the pandemic. Despite little to no support staff, Dave says they managed to curate a fantastic menu:

“Everything on the menu is fresh, it’s local, it’s flavourful. It looks just as good as it tastes. If this is the kind of menu that they can put together during the peak of COVID-19, then we can’t really wait to see what will come out of that kitchen in the future.”

Jacob refers to Kingston as one big family, “from chefs to bartenders to farmers and suppliers and everyone in between.” Baja is more than another stop added to Kingston’s celebrated food map. It takes “good vibes” as its mission, and offers a relaxed atmosphere that refuses to hold back on lively flavours.

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6 things to do during March Break in Kingston

It’s the event that the kids have been counting down to since the first Monday in January – March Break! If the kids are desperate for something fun to do, here are six things to add to your list during March Break in Kingston.

1. Maple Madness

March means maple syrup at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. Take a tractor-drawn wagon ride to the sugar bush and learn how maple syrup was made in the olden days and how we make it today. Take a stroll through the sugar bush and be sure to stop by the sugar shack for freshly made pancakes with warm maple syrup. Register for the event.

Cost: $5.00 for adults, $3.50 for children (registration required).
Hours: 9 am to 4 pm

2. March of the Museums

March of the Museums returns in 2022 and we’re happy to welcome back in-person activities. Your family can enjoy learning about local histories and stories through imagination, crafting, and play. If you can’t make it to the events, museums are offering take-home activity bags too. In-person activities take place on Monday, March 14 – Thursday, March 17 at the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning, Kingston Frontenac Public Library, and the Museum of Lennox and Addington. Pre-registration is required. Register and view the full schedule.

As part of March of the Museums, the Museum of Health Care at Kingston will be open for drop in visits. Stop by Monday, March 14th to Friday, March 18th from 10 am – 4 pm and learn about the story of Canadian health and medicine.

Cost: Free

3. Xtreme Trampoline Park

Xtreme Trampoline Park is Kingston’s largest trampoline facility with wall-to-wall trampolines, dodgeball court, ninja warrior course, crash pad, and basketball hoops. If you’re looking for a fun activity for your family where your kids can burn some energy, bounce off the walls here! Learn more about the facility.

Cost: $10 – $39, by minutes and age
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Friday: 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

4. The Fun Zone

The Fun Zone is Kingston’s newest entertainment centre for all ages. It has everything from a laser tag arena, virtual reality room, arcade room, and a two-level soft play structure for kids. Recharge and refuel at their food counter so kids can stay and play the whole day! Learn more about The Fun Zone.

Cost: $11.99 – $24.99, by type of activity. Package deals available.
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 6 pm to 10 pm. Friday: 3 pm to 11 pm. Saturday: 10 am to 11 pm. Sunday: 10 am to 10 pm.

5. Escape Rooms

Did you know Kingston is home to two escape rooms? Become a detective that Sherlock would be proud of at Sherlock’s Escapes and experience both in-person and virtual escape rooms. All escape rooms follow a common Sherlock storyline where you’ll solve challenging puzzles as a team.

At Improbable Escapes, you’ll immerse yourself in whimsical indoor, outdoor, and online games where each experience is uniquely different. All games are family friendly, except for their horror game (Coroner’s Report).

Cost: $23.50 – $89.85, based on game type

6. March staycation in Kingston

Get closer to what you love in Kingston this winter. Magical nights, bright lights, and beautiful sights – shared together. Warm up the season and enjoy the best of the Limestone City with a $100 VISA prepaid card for each night you stay. Stay a minimum of two nights, get $200. Stay five nights, get $500! View all hotel packages here.

Read more: Kid-friendly Kingston

Cover photos: Improbable Escapes (left), Maple Madness (right)