Say goodbye to Jack & Jim?

Together With

Happy Birthday, 🎉🎊

Gooood morning everybody! And welcome to the 328 new subscribers. Big news over here at BOQtoday head office (AKA the desk in my hallway). After 30+ emails about the incorrect dates on last Friday’s weather report, I was forced to buy a 2025 calendar.

• LCBO to lose the American booze

• Help design a park

• New foodie spot in PEC

and much more…

Publishers Note: We usually avoid discussing politics here, but the new tariffs impact everyone. I won't go into details because I'm not an expert on international politics or trade wars. However, I do know that having a strong community is important right now. While we're not a big news outlet, we do have 7,000 readers, and I hope we can help promote the message of supporting local businesses.

Here's what we're doing: for the next 3 months, we're taking out one of the ad slots in our newsletters. Instead, we're inviting you to share stories about local businesses you think others should know about. You can now recommend any type of business, not just food-related ones. This way, we can help spread the word about the great experiences you've had with businesses in our community. Or maybe you've discovered a fantastic Canadian-made brand that others should hear about? You can do that by going here.

Here’s a website we found that can help you navigate which products and businesses are Canadian. www.madeinca.ca

And here’s a hilarious video about how to shop Canadian brands, just to lighten things up a bit. Seriously, watch it until the end — it’s comedic gold!

-Shane

Thairific offers more than just food truck services; we provide full catering for private dinners, office lunches, or holiday gatherings. Experience the Thairific difference beyond typical meals at your next event! Whether you're hosting a small team lunch or a large party, we can accommodate your needs with a customizable menu that includes a variety of dishes—from savoury appetizers to mouthwatering entrees. Follow us on facebook and instagram to see our delicious food and offers.*

WEATHER

Monday, February 3
High 🌡️ 3°C Low -9°C | ☁️ | Precipitation 30% | Wind: NW at 15 km/h

Tuesday, February 4
High 🌡️ -5°C Low -14°C | ☀️ | Precipitation 0% | Wind: NW at 10 km/h

WEEKEND WRAP-UP

TOP STORY

LCBO to Ditch American Products Starting Feb. 4th! 🚨

Say goodbye to Jack & Jim! Premier Doug Ford announced that, as of Feb. 4th, all U.S.-made alcohol—yes, that means Robert Mondavi wine, Sam Adams beer, Jack Daniel's, Tito's Vodka, and more—will be removed from store shelves. This bold move comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau slapped retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, in response to President Trump's 25% tariff on Canadian exports.

And it's not just the shelves that will feel the change—bars and restaurants can no longer legally purchase these popular products either. The underlying message? Support local. The Bay of Quinte area has plenty of businesses ready to fill the gap. Now’s the time to explore Canadian alternatives. More on that here. CTV News

Ever Wanted to Design a Park? 🎨

Here’s your chance! The City of Belleville is inviting the community to help design the new Elgin Park playground. From swings to slides, this is your opportunity to shape a fun space for everyone. Share your ideas by filling out the online survey before Feb. 9— they’re even asking for what theme the park should be? Our vote - dinosaur-themed, what’s yours?

📍 Elgin Park is located near Sidney Street and Moira Street West. For more details, visit Belleville.ca/ParkUpgrades. Take the survey here!

💖 Flow Without Fear: Valentine's Day Edition

Hailey MacDonald, Miss Prince Edward County, is launching a heartwarming period product drive this Valentine’s Day through her initiative, Flow Without Fear. Her goal? To combat period poverty by ensuring everyone has access to necessary period products, regardless of their financial situation. All donations will go to local food banks and women’s organizations.

How to Help: 📍 Drop off donations at 497 Dundas St W (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or E-transfer to [email protected]. More here. InQuinte

Trenton’s Historic Theatre Sold—What’s Next? 📽️

After nearly two years on the market, Trenton’s Centre Theatre has officially been sold! The iconic building, turning 100 this year, has been a staple at Division and Dundas since 1925—previously known as the Trent Theatre, Odeon, and finally Centre Theatre. Originally listed at $600K, the price dropped to $550K before selling. There are no insights as to what it’s going to be at this time. The sale closes in March, but the future of this historic spot remains a mystery! More here. QuinteNews

Presented By The Fit Collective

Welcome to your downtown gym. A space dedicated to giving you what you need for an amazing workout in a down to earth environment. Check out our membership and class options HERE. Oh, and please follow our instagram!*

🎞️ A MOMENT IN TIME

We added this not only because it’s the perfect early 2000’s Canadian moment, but also a reminder of how much can change in under 30 years. The building behind these 3 little skaters? The Boathouse — sure looks a lot different today! And my, oh my - halibut n chips, for $7.99!? 

Have a cool historic shot you’d like to see here? Shoot us an email [email protected] to be featured in our Moment in Time section.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

🍽️ Carte – Picton’s New Grab & Go Spot!

Hold up foodies, you’ll want to read this. There’s a new go-to for fresh, locally made meals in Picton. Carte is officially open at 📍 194 Main Street, Picton, serving up prepared foods, catering, frozen meals, and grab-and-go eats—all crafted by chef & nutritionist Rachel Bies.

With a focus on farm-to-table ingredients and time-saving, flavour-packed meals, Carte offers everything from house-made sauces and curries to shepherd’s pie and spicy shrimp bowls—plus plenty of gluten-free, vegetarian, and dairy-free options. Bonus: Rachel’s also hosting cooking classes and consults! As a single mom, Rachel says hours may vary at times but she will keep you up to date on the Carte instagram page - which I’d recommend you follow if you like your timeline filled with flavour.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

🏒 Try Lacrosse - Bayview
📅 Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Bayside Secondary School, 1247 Old Highway 2, Belleville, ON
💵 Free entry
🎉 Looking for something new to try? Join the Quinte Minor Lacrosse Association for FREE Try Lacrosse sessions! Bring your helmet and running shoes, and they’ll provide the sticks.

📚 Alzheimer Society Used Book Sale
📅 Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 | 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
📍 Bay View Mall, 470 Dundas St East, Belleville, ON
💵 $1.00 - $10.00
🎉 Support a great cause and pick up some fantastic books! On Tuesday, soft covers are $3, and hardcovers are $4. Wednesday offers soft covers for $1.50 and hardcovers for $2. On Thursday, fill a bag for just $10! Cookbooks are $1, children’s books are 50c, and young adult books are $1. Debit and credit are accepted. All proceeds stay 100% local.

🎨 Adult Watercolour Drop-in Art
📅 Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
📍 Trenton Branch, 7 Creswell Drive, Quinte West
💵 Free entry
🎉 Open to all skill levels, this drop-in class offers a relaxing space to paint and unwind. No experience? No problem! All supplies are provided, and it's a great opportunity to connect with friends and express your creative side. No registration required.

🎭 With Love and A Major Organ
📅 Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 | 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
📍 Theatre in The Wings, 30 Bridge Street East, Belleville
💵 Ticket prices vary
🎉 Don’t miss this charming and funny Canadian play by Julia Lederer. Full of heart and wit, it’s a beautifully written performance that will have you laughing and thinking.

💘 A Valentine Affair
📅 Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 | 7:00 PM - 11:30 PM
📍 SANS-SOUCI, 240 Front Street, Belleville
💵 Ticket prices vary
🎉 Whether you're single or celebrating with someone special, this exclusive Valentine's event promises to be a night to remember!

_{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

Sponsored By Sarah Taylor-Malo
Author of Growing Pains

Have you ever looked at your life one day and thought, “How did I get here?” Maybe you don’t recognize yourself or the life you’re living. You thought by this time you’d be somewhere else. But here you are, and you have so many questions. If this sounds familiar, this book is be for you. While the specifics always differ, the common threads of personal hardship, fear of the unknown, and self-discovery remain. Check out growing pains online here. Follow Sarah on social media @sarahtaylormalo.author

ART, THEATRE & CULTURE

🎉 Celebrating Black History Month

February is all about honouring the legacy, leadership, and contributions of Black Canadians. Locals can check out Nikki Clarke’s talk at Belleville Public Library on Feb. 15, explore the Portraits of Black History exhibit at Glanmore National Historic Site, or dive into the Community Archives’ online exhibit highlighting Black families in Hastings County. More deets here. It’s a month to learn, reflect, and celebrate the impact of Black voices in the community. Events run all month—don’t miss out! More info: Canada.ca/BlackHistoryMonth

LOCAL SPORTS INSIDER

CIVIL NEWS

Belleville

Community Gardens Applications Now Open! 🌱

Green thumbs in Belleville, it's time to get planting! Applications for community garden plots are now open for the 2025 season. With plots available at multiple locations around the city, there's room for everyone to get involved and make a positive impact on your local community. Read more on how to apply here!

Quinte West

Big Plans for 2025 🚧

2025 is shaping up to be a big year for Quinte West, with key projects like the Highway 2 and 2nd Dug Hill Road urbanization and a new electronic building permit system. The City’s also rolling out a Community Improvement Plan to help local businesses grow and will start construction on a new trunk sewer to support over 5,000 new homes. Plus, major upgrades to the City’s tech infrastructure are on the way, improving services across the board. Read more

Prince Edward County

📢 Planning & Development Committee Agenda Now Available! 🏛️

The Planning and Development Committee meeting is coming up on Wednesday, February 5th, and the agenda is now available! Curious about what’s on the table? This is your chance to get the details and stay in the know. Want to see the full agenda? Check it out here!

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