Ciao, Little Italy 👋 + Free Kids’ Clothes Today!

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Happy Birthday to Abbie Brady (Feb 8th)! 🥳🎊

Gooood morning everybody! Thank you to our 311 new subscribers. It’s BOQtoday, the newsletter that’s like opening a bag of Hawkins Cheezie’s. Bold, a little cheesy and irresistible.

Today Around The Bay:

• Want to run a farmers market?

• FREE kids clothes today only

• Ciao Little Italy, it’s been a slice

and much more…

But first - it’s Super Bowl Sunday! No matter if you're into football or not, it's one of the biggest events everyone tunes into each year. We're curious—what are your plans for the weekend?

Sponsored By The Beauty Collective

Discover a new level of beauty at The Beauty Collective in Belleville. Unlock your glow with our luxurious treatments, from transformative injectables like Botox and dermal fillers to rejuvenating facials tailored just for you. Unwind with our registered massage therapy options or indulge in classic esthetic services—your wellness is our priority. Join us on Instagram @beautycollectivebyinjct for the latest updates and special offers. Book your appointment here.*

🌡️ WEATHER

Friday, February 9
-2°C 🌡️ -10°C | ☁️ | 20% | NW 80 km/h

Saturday, February 10
-2°C 🌡️ -9°C | ☁️ | 40% | SW 50 km/h

Sunday, February 11
-2°C 🌡️ -13°C | ☀️ | 10% | NW 30 km/h

📰 THE DIGEST

A Guide To Canadian (and BOQ) Made Products

It’s anyone’s guess as to what is coming to us after this 30 day pause (not saying the “T” word today - promised myself). What we do know, is that the recent events have sparked a true sense of patriotism across Canada and one of the biggest trends is how to shop local - truly local. So, here’s our crack at a list of how to buy Canadian at the grocery store. We even snuck as many Bay of Quinte area brands in there as we could.

spraguecanning

View more on Instagram

🏛️ Belleville’s Heritage Week

Heritage Week (Feb. 17-23) is here, and Belleville’s going all-in on celebrating the past—the good, the bad, and the downright toxic. (Seriously, Victorians thought arsenic was a great idea.) Glanmore National Historic Site is serving up Museum Chats on everything from heirloom preservation to the wildest Victorian inventions. Meanwhile, Heritage Belleville is hosting a free event at UpFront Café on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m., where local author Connie Carson will launch her new book, Facades on Front. Expect historic deep dives, a book signing, and maybe a little scandal. And for the hockey fans—don’t miss the Feb. 21 screening of Celebrating Hockey History at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre. Plan your week & dive into Belleville’s past, read more

Sponsored By Local Care Hearing Centre

Is it time for an ear health checkup? Start the New Year with peace of mind! Local Care Hearing offers comprehensive ear examinations, with clear explanations and no referral necessary. Whether you have concerns about your hearing or just want to ensure your ears are healthy, give us a call at 613-961-1180 or visit localcarehearing.ca.*

💼 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

A Fond Farewell to Little Italy on 62 🍝💔

Ciao bella! After 4.5 wonderful years, Little Italy on 62 has officially closed its doors. This north Belleville favourite was a go-to for authentic Italian pizzas and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. While this chapter ends, the team isn’t done just yet— it seems they have future projects in the works, so stay tuned! A heartfelt grazie mille to the owners and staff.

🥙 Foodie Friday - Restaurant Of The Week!

This week’s submission noodled its way onto our desk, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. There’s a fresh addition to downtown Belleville’s foodie scene, and trust us—it’s pho-nomenal. One of our OG readers, Laurie, has the inside scoop on Pho Blue Basil, the spot that’s serving up brothy goodness right in the heart of downtown.

Sponsored By White Out With Jackie

Tired of dull, stained teeth? Boost your confidence with a professional teeth whitening treatment that delivers safe, pain-free, and guaranteed results in just one hour. Jackie, a registered dental hygienist with 15 years of experience, uses high-quality whitening gel and LED light to help you achieve a noticeably whiter smile. Plus, you don’t have to do it alone—bring a friend and whiten together with two chairs available for simultaneous sessions. Spots fill fast! Book your appointment today and let your smile shine, call 613-847-1301

👪 FOR THE PARENTS

Once Upon A Child Belleville is Giving Away Free Kids’ Clothes TODAY 👏

📅 When: Friday(today), February 7th | ⏰ Time: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
📍 Where: Once Upon A Child, Belleville

Early bird gets the worm here. If your little ones are growing faster than your budget, Once Upon A Child Belleville has your back! Their first-ever Take What You Need event is happening this Friday, and they’re giving away free marked clearance apparel to families—no strings attached. You’ll find tons of baby sizes (0-12M, 18M) and girls’ size 10, with a limited selection of other sizes while supplies last. Some exclusions apply, so get there early for the best finds! For full details, check out Once Upon A Child Belleville on Facebook! Send this email to a parent - quick!

🎟️ WEEK-END PLANS

💖 A Valentine Affair – 📍 Sans-Souci, Belleville | ⏰ Feb 7, 7:00 PM - 11:30 PM

An exclusive evening for singles & couples, featuring an unforgettable night of romance and celebration.

🍷💆‍♀️ The Royal x Comfort Zone: Wining, Dining & Facials – 📍The Royal Hotel, PEC | ⏰ Feb 7, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | 🎟️ $182+

An evening of self-care, female friendships, and indulgence with great food, wine, and facials at The Royal Hotel.

❤️ Valentine’s Show – 📍 Bay View Mall, Belleville | ⏰ Feb 8, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | 🎟️ Free

Shop unique, handcrafted gifts from local artisans and small businesses just in time for Valentine’s Day! Discover one-of-a-kind jewelry, décor, treats, and more—perfect for your special someone (or yourself!).

🏈 Big Mike's BBQ & AMF Brew Co. Party in the Endzone Tailgate! – 📍 All My Friends Beer Co., 8 Stanley Street #Unit 5, Prince Edward | ⏰ Feb 9, 5:00 PM - 11:30 PM |

Big Mike's BBQ and All My Friends Brew Co. are teaming up for the ultimate Super Bowl Tailgate Party! Enjoy all-you-can-eat BBQ, an epic game-day atmosphere, and plenty of craft beer as you watch the big game live.

_{Note: Events may be cancelled or have changed times. Be sure to see our event calendar and reach out to the venue before going.}

🔗 To see more info on these events and many more, hit the button below

📅 PLAN AHEAD

🎶 Give a Little Bit… of Your Time for This Cause

Dreamer – A Tribute to Supertramp is bringing their spot-on tribute to the legendary band to Belleville on May 17 at Maranatha Church. Expect all the hits, stunning musicianship, and a night of pure nostalgia. Plus, a portion of the proceeds supports Make-A-Wish Canada, making this concert even more meaningful. This is part of the Benefits Show tour. 🔗 Read more

Sponsored By The Bay of Quinte Clothing Club

Have you heard of the Bay of Quinte Clothing Club? Check out this new apparel line made by people from the Bay of Quinte, for people from the Bay of Quinte. Shop now to get yours but hurry, the originals are almost sold out! Free local shipping.*

🏅 LOCAL SPORTS INSIDER

🏒 Quinte’s Hockey Future Takes Centre Ice!

Hockey fans, clear your weekend plans—the OMHA East AAA U16 Showcase is coming to QSWC from Feb. 7-9, and you don’t want to miss it. The Quinte Red Devils are hosting, and all eleven U16 teams from across the region are hitting the ice, looking to impress OHL and junior league scouts. Keep an eye on Quinte’s own Blake Munnings (Campbellford), a standout defenceman with big draft potential. If you love fast-paced, high-stakes hockey, this is the weekend to be at the rink. Watch Munnings’ prospect interview below.

🏛️ CIVIL NEWS

BELLEVILLE

🏡 24 Building Permits Worth $3.6M in January

Belleville issued 24 building permits worth $3.6 million in January, including 3 new residential projects ($1.3M), 7 other residential permits ($450K), and a $1.4M government/institutional project, generating $32,622 in municipal revenue. The Intelligencer

🏡 $10.5M for Housing—Here’s What’s Coming

Belleville just landed $10.5 million from the Housing Accelerator Fund to build 259 new homes over the next three years—150 of which will be affordable units. The funding will go towards projects like redeveloping Queen Mary School, unlocking city-owned land, and fast-tracking housing at the old fairgrounds site. The city is also investing in staff training to speed up approvals and streamline development. An initial 25% of funds will be released immediately, with the rest tied to housing milestones. Get the full details here InQuinte

QUINTE WEST

Quinte West is Looking for Someone to Run Its Farmers’ Market
Could It Be You? 🌿🎶

Love fresh produce, live music, and supporting local? Here’s your chance to run one of Quinte West’s most beloved community staples—the Front Street Farmers’ Market! The City of Quinte West is searching for an operator to manage the market for the next four years, overseeing everything from vendor coordination to entertainment programming at the 67 Front St. pavilion in downtown Trenton. With 40+ vendors offering farm-fresh goods, artisan creations, and baked treats, plus live music and family-friendly vibes, this market is a weekend must-visit from May to October. Sound like your dream gig? Read more here.

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY

Nothin’ today! See you Monday.

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