Tourism Awareness Week is May 29 to June 4. During this week, we recognize the impact and benefits of tourism across the Kingston community.
“Tourism is a key economic sector in Kingston,” says Mayor Bryan Paterson. “It employs almost nine per cent of our local workforce and supports many small businesses and cultural organizations in our city, from inns and restaurants to galleries and museums. Tourism is also a critical sector in our community’s pandemic recovery, as sport tournaments, group tours, and in-person events return to the city.”
When you think about tourism, what may come to immediately to mind are families visiting their relatives or individuals exploring the historic sites of a new city. These visitors are part of the leisure tourism sector. But tourism includes a number of vital non-leisure activities as well. These include:
Travel trade
Tour operators bring motor coach, cruise, and other group tours to Kingston. These groups will either explore the city together before moving on to their next destination, or will come to Kingston for a specific purpose, such as a school field trip to Fort Henry.
Business events
From small corporate team meetings to large trade shows and conferences, business events bring groups together for work, often from different communities. Business events fill blocks of hotel rooms and provide opportunities for delegates to explore local restaurants, shops, and attractions in their off-hours. While Zoom has been the meeting venue of choice for the last two years of the pandemic, business and academic conference organizers are increasingly looking to get back to in-person or hybrid (in-person and virtual) meetings for greater productivity.
Sport and wellness events
Sport tournaments and events also bring large groups of people – athletes, coaches, family members, and fans – to the city, often for several days. Like business events, sport events support local accommodations and businesses. They also provide spectator activities for local residents. And while Kingston’s facilities and natural attractions lend themselves to traditional sporting events like hockey tournaments and sailing races, the city has also played host to events like the 2022 Canadian Scrabble Classic. The four-day Scrabble tournament in March brought 75 top wordsmiths from across North America to Kingston to compete for a $10,000 prize.
Film tourism
Film and television productions bring large groups of cast and crew for overnight – and often multi-week – stays. Kingston has, in recent years, become a popular location for productions, as it offers unique locations like Kingston Penitentiary, which can be used as a closed set. The penitentiary has been used as a location for Star Trek: Discovery and The Mayor of Kingstown, among other productions. In addition to supporting local accommodations, film tourism boosts the local economy through the use of local skilled labour, like carpenters and electricians; rental services (including location, equipment, and bus rentals); and training and employment of local workers.
Visitor Services
Kingston’s Visitor Information Centre provides year-round information on what to see and do in Kingston to both visitors and residents of the city. The centre also hosts local artists and musicians and offers a variety of goods for sale.
While weekend getaways to a new town can often be a spur-of-the-moment decision, non-leisure tourism planning has a long lead time. Conferences and sport tournaments can confirm upcoming major events two to four years in advance. The stability provided by confirmed business events coming to Kingston allows hotels to set aside blocks of rooms well ahead of time and ensure that they are adequately staffed. In addition to hotel rooms, travel trade groups secure restaurant bookings, site tours, and attraction tickets in advance of their visits. Film productions line up locations, equipment rentals and local services, such as catering and security, before they ever come to town for their work. All of these actions provide stability for the local labour market. Almost 15,000 people in Kingston are directly employed in tourism, and there are 7,000 tourism businesses in the region. But even those not directly employed in the sector experience the benefits of the tourism economy.
“Combined, the leisure and business tourism sectors generate $533 million annually to the local economy, through direct spending, employment, and investment in Kingston,” says Megan Knott, Executive Director of Tourism Kingston. “Tourism will also be pivotal in our pandemic recovery as a community. While people are more inclined to travel for business or pleasure than they were a year or two ago, Kingston is still primarily a summer destination for leisure travellers. Business, sport, and film tourism can bring groups, tours, tournaments, and productions to Kingston year-round. This is tremendously important for local businesses and cultural organizations, enabling them to keep their doors open and offer stable employment for staff throughout the year.”
About Tourism Kingston
Tourism Kingston is the destination marketing organization for the City of Kingston. Tourism Kingston’s marketing of the city as a visitor destination is funded by the Municipal Accommodation Tax, a 4% tax on hotel stays of fewer than 30 days.
Make sure to fuel up with some brunch before embarking on your exploration of the limestone city.
Toast and Jam offers delicious breakfast and lunch options made with local ingredients whenever possible. Everything—from Eggs Benedict to apple caramel French toast—is made in-house. They have their own kids’ menu as well, so even the pickiest of eaters can devour something delicious, from grilled cheese sandwiches to pink milk.
The locally owned and operated ’50s-style diner, Tommy’s, serves all-day breakfast (including old-fashioned milkshakes)! The only downside about this place is that it might take you some time to choose what you’ll be eating…their menu is extensive, from classic breakfast dishes to breakfast poutine or pancakes topped with banana cream cheese.
If you’re looking to fill up with a traditional diner-style breakfast, Morrison’s Restaurant is the place to feast. It’s one of the longest-running restaurants in the city and it has a spectacular view of Springer Market Square. This family-owned restaurant is known for its comfortable atmosphere, fast service, and extensive breakfast and lunch menu.
Grab lunch on a patio
AquaTerra Patio
Kingston is known for its incredible quantity (and quality) of restaurants. Check out our patio guide for a list of all the places ready to serve you al fresco.
Kids will love creating their own burger combo at Harper’s Burger Bar or diving into a slice of Woodenheads pizza (one of the greatest wood-fired pizza joints around).
Treat yourselves to an afternoon treat
Mio Gelato
Kingston has several local cafés that will keep the adults caffeinated and the kids’ sweet tooth satisfied. If you want some of the best donuts in town, drop by Coffee Way Donuts, where treats are made fresh daily. Feeling the heat? Head over to Mio Gelato and try to decide what you’ll treat yourself to from dozens of flavours. Pop into General Brock’s Commissary for a cup or cone of Kawartha Dairy ice cream or quench your thirst with their iced tea to-go. Or stop by White Mountain Ice Cream. We love their Cookie Monster, vanilla ice cream with Oreo cookies, fudge cookies, and cookie dough pieces.
Kids and adults will be fascinated with Minotaur, an activity store that sells everything from traditional games like chess to epic board games for the whole family. Minotaur also sells a variety of crafting items that just might inspire a new hobby.
Just up the street is The Rocking Horse, a toy store with a vast selection of classic and retro toys, games, and novelty items. While the store sells games for every age, its focus is on toys as tools to help develop children’s physical, social, and intellectual skills.
Wander Kingston’s public market
Kingston Public Market
The oldest vendor-run open-air market in Ontario is always bustling with energy. If you’re downtown on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, you can’t miss the opportunity to visit Kingston’s Public Market. The market takes place from 9 am – 4 pm at Springer Market Square. You’ll discover local produce as well as gorgeous items created by talented artisans. The whole family will have fun browsing funky bath products, unique jewellery, and tie-dye tees.
The Katarokwi Indigenous Art & Food Market also takes place every Sunday this summer at Springer Market Square. Local Indigenous vendors offer art, jewelry, home goods, clothing, and food while performers showcase a variety of talents such as dancing and drumming. You can keep updated on dates and performances online.
Museums and tours
PumpHouse Museum
At the PumpHouse Museum, you can tour the site of Kingston’s first waterworks, which were in operation from 1851 to 1952. The building is now a museum that hosts dynamic exhibits, educational programs for kids and adults, and a cool collection of model trains. While simply exploring the building itself (where the original pumps can be seen) is interesting on its own, you can also participate in a site tour.
Check out the museum’s new exhibit, On the Move: 400 Years of Transportation in Kingston (on display through to November 2022.) The exhibit incorporates historical objects, interactive displays, and activities for both kids and adults who can learn about various modes of transportation, from snowshoes and toboggans to trains and roads.
In-person programs include a by-donation, drop-in program called Fort Night that takes place on Thursday evenings at 6 pm (beginning July 7, 2022 and ending August 25, 2022). Each visiting group receives a Fort Bundle, including building materials and a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) related challenge. Challenges can be done as a team or alone, with each group competing to see who best accomplishes the challenge. Any age is welcome. To ensure a Fort Bundle is available for your group, pre-register for Fort Night.
If you have a toddler to keep busy, check out the PumpHouse’s Trains and Tots series, happening Tuesday and Wednesday mornings all summer.
The PumpHouse is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm.
Fort Henry National Historic Site
Impress the whole family with a visit to Fort Henry, a fortress dating back to 1823. This museum and historic site allows you to experience 19th-century military life, guided tours, stunning views, and musical performances courtesy of the Fort Henry Guard. The Fort is open seven days a week, from 10 am – 5 pm. Tickets can be bought online.
The Military Communications and Electronics Museum displays all the military tech you’ve been wanting to discover; large military vehicles, radios, and phones abound. The site also has two escape room games created in collaboration with Improbable Escapes that families rave about. Museum visitors must book their ticket online or on-site to enter. The museum is open Monday to Friday, 10 am – 3:30 pm.
If you’re interested in learning about Kingston’s roots, step into a red trolley and enjoy Kingston’s most popular sites as they pass you by. The City Trolley Tour offered by Kingston Trolley Tours is a one-hour guided tour throughout Kingston. Sit back and relax as your tour guide explores more than 300 years of local history. Tours start at the Kingston Visitor Information Centre each weekday at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. On weekends, they depart every hour from 10 am to 5 pm. You can book your tickets online.
Haunted Walk of Kingston
Who doesn’t love a good ghost story? Buy tickets to The Original Haunted Walk of Kingston and prepare yourself to be spectacularly spooked. This ghost walking tour explores Sydenham Ward in 90 minutes. Experience haunted hotels, grave robbings, Kingston’s famous cursed courtyard, and more. You’re sure to come away with a new (and creepy) perspective of Kingston—and the tour runs nightly throughout the summer season.
Kingston has many more kid-friendly museums for you to explore, such as the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes (with programs and exhibits dedicated to shipwrecks and marine life in Kingston’s waters), and Frontenac County Schools Museum (which showcases more than 200 artifacts from one-room schools that existed in Frontenac County from the mid-1800s to mid-1900s).
Free outdoor events
Music in the Park
Starting June 21, 2022, enjoy free concerts all summer in Confederation Park. Music in the Park takes place in June, July, and August at 12:30 pm every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The park also hosts Downtown Country concerts at 7 pm on Thursdays, and the courtyard in Market Square hosts Big Band Fridays every Friday at 7 pm. More details and line-ups will be posted to the Downtown Kingston! website soon.
While these musical events are open to everyone, there is also a concert series a few blocks away specifically for kids: Silly Sounds on Sydenham. This series takes place every Saturday from mid-June to September 3, 2022, at 10 to 11 am between Princess Street and Queen Street.
Bring your popcorn and a comfy lawn chair to Springer Market Square every Thursday at dusk for Movies in the Square. Starting June 16, 2022, and running until September 1, you can enjoy free classic movies under the stars. The schedule will be made available online soon.
Remember to take a peek at the Downtown Kingston! event webpage when planning for your Kingston trip. There’s something happening around every corner.
Get moving
Family cycling
Ahoy Rentals offers hourly and multi-day children and adult bike rentals and even has tandem bikes. Kingston by Bike Tours, at the same location, offers a three-hour guided bike tour of Kingston. This leisurely tour is perfect for older kids and adults. Learn about significant cultural sites and landmarks while enjoying vibrant city and sparkling lakefront views. Book a tour online at least 24 hours in advance. online at least 24 hours in advance.
Ahoy Rentals also offers kayak and canoe rentals, as well as instruction sessions.
Blue Marble Learning Scene provides opportunities to connect with nature. They offer three free walks: Wetland Walk, Waterfront Walk, and Urban Water Walk. You’ll spend the one-hour walk with an impressive guide who will discuss rivers, lakes, reptiles, fossils, and much more as you stroll. While the walks are open to anyone, they are particularly great for families with kids over seven years old.
Lemoine Point Conservation Area
Nature-lovers will enjoy discovering Kingston’s green spaces. Lemoine Point and Little Catarqui Creek are popular conservation areas boasting wildlife and family-friendly trails. Grass Creek Park (a 95-acre park in Kingston East) and City Park (a 10-minute walk west of City Hall) offer plenty of space to enjoy a picnic.
Jump into some more fun at Kingston Xtreme Trampoline Park. This is the city’s largest trampoline facility, and it includes much more than just trampolines. It has a dodgeball court, ninja warrior course, crash pad, basketball area, and more. The most spacious area of the park is open to jumpers over four years old and there’s even a designated Kiddie Court available for jumpers under four. Remember to pre-book your jumping tickets online to secure your spot.
Other spaces that are perfect for energetic kids include The Fun Zone, a centre known for its Laser Tag Arena but also includes a Virtual Reality room, an arcade, and a soft-play structure for little ones. Walk-ins are welcome!
The Boiler Room Climbing Gym offers a variety of climbing activities for all ages—bouldering, auto-belays, lead climbing, and beyond. Don’t worry, everyone receives an orientation before making their ascent.
Turn your family into a detective squad at Improbable Escapes. This award-winning escape room company offers a variety of (mostly family-friendly) indoor and outdoor escape rooms at two locations. Improbable Escapes HQ is located downtown at 303 Bagot Street and Improbable Escapes: Wonderland & Board Game Lounge is located just 15 minutes outside of downtown at 500 Gardiners Road.
These escape rooms are award-winning for a reason—they’re fully immersive and satisfy every adventurous spirit. All their escape rooms are designed in-house (sometimes taking up to a year to produce) and the team collaborates with local museums and other escape room companies to provide expertise.
Each room is unique with its own puzzles to solve, challenges to conquer, and mysteries to ponder. Improbable Escape’s newest escape room is The Undersea Overthrow, inspired by the lost city of Atlantis.
Wonderland Kingston
In addition to its escape rooms, Improbable Escapes’ west end location also offers a whimsical board game café and retail store. Kids and adults can choose from more than 600 games to play (including Catan, chess, or Trivial Pursuit) while enjoying a beverage and a snack. They’re known for their magical hot chocolate.
Creative pursuits
The Barefoot Players at Queen’s University’s Dan School of Drama & Music offer a variety of summer workshops for youth of all ages. Kids between the ages of five and eight can create their own puppet at Puppets & Play or join the Broadway Babies workshop to explore musical theatre through singing, dancing, and acting. Older children between the ages of nine and twelve are offered workshops such as Art Comedy Creation, a drama workshop inspired by Commedia Dell’arte theatre from 15th century Italy. There’s also Picture Pantomime, a movement-focused workshop that incorporates mime, tableau, and mirroring.
The Barefoot Players also offer several week-long summer camps celebrating the performing arts. For more information on camps or workshops, you can contact barefoot.players@queensu.ca.
Entertaining every family member with a day in the limestone city is easy. However you choose to spend your holiday, Kingston offers both leisurely and adventurous activities for all ages.
Sun Harvest Greenhouses | 2542 Perth Road | Website
2022 marks Sun Harvest Greenhouses’ 20th anniversary. Sun Harvest is a family-owned, full-service garden centre and market, located in Glenburnie, just a five-minute drive from Kingston, that celebrates every customer’s growing journey.
From its start solely growing and selling hydroponic tomatoes to becoming a centre for educational workshops, custom growing programs for events, and a cut-your-own flower garden, Sun Harvest continues to bloom bigger with each passing year. We spoke with the business’s co-owner, Allison Shannon, about how Sun Harvest has evolved over the past two decades.
“I’m a person who’s always wanting to improve, and if you’re wanting to improve a business you have to pay attention to your customer base and what they’re looking for. That drives you to make changes in your business and as a result, our business looks very different today than it did when we started. Our original reason for being was to grow a better tomato and to share our love of growing, to help make people more aware of locally grown food, and to have access to locally grown, nutritious, affordable, food. It snowballed from there.”
Beginning with only one growing zone bursting with their now Kingston-famous hydroponic tomatoes, Sun Harvest later began growing cucumbers and a variety of lettuces through the closed loop system that relies on water, rather than soil, to produce crops. They gradually added new products and opened their all-season garden centre.
“The business has been growing to the point where, every few years we add on a little more production space to grow more of something. Most of that space has been dedicated to growing annuals for gardeners, such as that we’ve evolved into a full-season, full-service garden centre specializing in our homegrown annuals, veggie, and herb transplants for the home gardener. We’ve partnered with some growers in Niagara to bring in flowering shrubs and perennials, and we’re known for our hanging baskets and containers.”
Allison focuses on managing the garden centre and social media marketing; her husband, Greg, and son tend to the hydroponic crops. While they stay busy year-round, preparing for the spring gardening season requires all hands on deck. As visitors seeking bunches of homegrown annuals, colourful containers, vibrant hanging baskets, and fresh herbs increase in May, the Sun Harvest team takes copious notes each week to use as benchmarks. How fast a perennial is selling, what herb people are asking for, and which item seems most popular—these are all measurements used to tweak production.
“It’s constant. Even though we’re in the middle of growing and executing the plan for spring 2022, we’re always thinking ahead. I’m the type of person who always wants to enhance the customer experience – whether through customer service, educational workshops, bringing in speakers, trying new varieties of veggies, herbs, annuals, or new colour combinations for containers – that just takes research. The research starts with working with our suppliers, the companies that develop the genetics of geraniums or petunias, so I like to travel in the summer to grower trials where I research new varieties. When people walk into the greenhouse, one of the first questions they have is: ‘What’s new this year, Allison?’ I think it’s important that we give people that excitement, that opportunity for them to try something new on a limited basis and hopefully have success and expand on that in future years.”
This season, Sun Harvest continued to add some exciting new variants to the garden centre. While the team has always been a huge fan of Supertunia Vista Bubblegum petunias, this year they’ve added a new variety for customers to fall in love with: the Supertunia Vista Snowdrift. This pearly white petunia is a garden showstopper. Another Sun Harvest plant pick for 2022 is the Hot Blooded Red lantana, a shrub that bursts with red-hot flowers all summer long. It can withstand even the hottest heat wave and encourages pollinators.
Allison’s passion for excellent customer service has inspired her to ensure that a visit to Sun Harvest is a community experience. Various educational events attract both long-time home gardeners and first-time visitors. While workshops have always been a part of Sun Harvest’s programming, the team began offering pop-up markets in 2022 as a thank-you to the community.
“We had one market in March and one in April and we have a few in the summer: June, July, August, and September. This is where we get to collaborate with local makers in an interesting plant-filled environment. They’ve been really well received. Everyone who comes those days is just in a happy mood. The makers have been wonderful, and the quality of products is incredible. We have a robust, rich community of makers in YGK.”
This year, Sun Harvest will be expanding on the Flower Fields, a cutting garden that’s been open to the public for the last three summers. Visitors can walk through a one-acre garden brimming with a variety of flowers, to cut a bouquet for themselves or simply spend time in a quiet, beautiful space.
Although springtime at Sun Harvest buzzes with energy, the family business requires hard work year-round. Hydroponic veggies are planted in January and by March these crops are available for purchase, along with a robust selection of houseplants. April is a hectic month as preparations for the spring rush begin, and by the middle of June thousands of mums have already been planted for fall. May marks the biggest wave of customers searching for vibrant annuals, while perennials and shrubs are available all summer long. The summer market also offers sweet corn, potatoes, and beans, in addition to the usual hydroponic tomatoes, lettuces, and cucumbers. The lively fall season offers pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, and the holidays are filled with wreath-crafting and tree-decorating workshops. While the season wraps up just before Christmas, hydroponic planting begins at the start of the new year.
Allison sees her job as a vocation, and she’s been excited about how the last few years have shown people embracing a biophilic lifestyle, that is, the desire to be connected to nature and incorporate natural elements into one’s home. Allison believes that everyone has the capacity for a green thumb.
“People are excited about growing their own food, growing their own plants indoors and outdoors, and seeing success with that. People are being extremely kind to themselves and celebrating their growing journey and that is really why we are here in the community, to celebrate growing journeys. If we can help with that in any way, that’s what we’re here for. Our journey has been a growing one; we started as just a hydroponic greenhouse and have diversified to be a full-service garden centre with aspects of education and experiences throughout the season here. It’s been quite a journey for us.”
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.
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.
“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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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
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.”
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.
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.”
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
2. Kingston Trolley Tours
3. Meghan Patrick live
4. Drag show: Mother Knows Best
5. Art Threads spring exhibit
6. Riverdance: 25th anniversary show
7. The Glorious Sons live
8. Just for Laughs Roadshow
9. The Arkells live
10. Limestone Race Weekend
11. The Juvenis Festival
12. Kingston Potters’ Guild spring sale
13. 2022 Metal Rocks Show
14. Celtic Illusion
15. Forest Therapy walks
16. Homegrown Live Music Festival
17. Just for Laughs Comedy Night In Canada – Hosted by Rick Mercer
18. Open Studio Artists Exhibition
19. Mother Mother – The INSIDE Tour
20. Sarah Harmer 2022 “Are You Gone” Tour
21. Jann Arden live
22. Art After Dark
23. 1000 Islands Treetop Trekking
24. Improbable Escapes outdoor adventures
25. Expanded patios
We use cookies to improve functionality and performance. By clicking "OK" or by continuing to browse this site, you agree to the use of cookies. To find out more, visit the cookies section of our privacy policy.
