TODAY IN NOTL
🌧️ Weather
Unseasonably warm for January, with highs around 13°C. Expect rain on and off throughout the day and into the evening — it’s one of those days that feels more like early spring than mid-winter.
🚗 Roads
Wet roads are likely, especially during the morning and afternoon commute. With rain and warmer temperatures, watch for slick spots and pooling water in low-lying areas. A little extra time goes a long way today.
🎒 Back to School
The holiday reset is officially over. Schools are back in full swing, routines are settling in, and morning traffic is starting to look familiar again. If you’re heading out early, expect busier roads and a more structured weekday rhythm across town.
Lets get into the news👇
Food Feature
The Grist
Some places earn repeat visits because the food is memorable.
Others because the people make you feel at home.
The Grist has always delivered both.
Since opening in 2021, Grist Craft Kitchen & Brewery has built a reputation for food that’s thoughtful, consistent, and deeply satisfying. The menu strikes an easy balance — comforting without being predictable, elevated without feeling fussy. Paired with house-brewed beer, it’s the kind of place you return to because you know you’ll eat well.
Set inside a restored fruit packing house along Four Mile Creek Road, the space reflects what comes out of the kitchen: warm, intentional, and grounded. It works just as well for a casual lunch as it does for a long dinner with friends.
The experience is completed by the people — familiar faces, genuine hospitality, and a team that clearly cares about what they’re serving.
Over the summer, ownership transitioned within the family, passing from founders Rob and Danielle Begin to their daughter and her husband. The focus was continuity, not change — and it shows.
After a short holiday closure, the Grist reopens to regular hours on January 14 — a perfect excuse to plan your next visit.
👉 Follow @thegristnotl on Instagram to see what’s coming out of the kitchen and what’s happening next.
This Weekend
Ideas for your next outing in town!
Icewine Tastings at Inniskillin
If Icewine is on your winter radar, Inniskillin is the place to do it. As one of the pioneers of Icewine in Niagara, their tastings are as much about the story as they are the pour — rich, sweet, and unapologetically seasonal.
Browse Local Art at King Street Gallery
If you’re looking for something cultural without committing to an “event,” the King Street Gallery is an easy stop. A rotating collection of Canadian art makes this a quick but meaningful visit — and a reminder that winter is a great time to slow down and actually look.
Stock Up at Greaves Jam & Marmalade
One of the oldest businesses on Queen Street and still a local staple. If your pantry needs a refresh — or you’re after an easy host gift — this is the place to grab something classic and reliably good.
Sweet Fix at Maple Leaf Fudge
Sometimes you don’t need a plan — just sugar. Whether it’s fudge, caramel apples, or a quick pick-me-up, this is a no-thinking-required stop that hits the spot.
Next Week
Skating at the Gardens at Pillar and Post
January in Niagara usually means layers, cold fingers, and properly frozen ponds — but this week seems it has other plans.
If temperatures cooperate, skating at The Gardens at Pillar and Post is one of the most charming ways to enjoy winter in town. The outdoor rink offers a relaxed, scenic setting that feels more storybook than sports arena, making it ideal for a casual skate with friends, family, or a low-key date.
Skate rentals are available on-site, and it’s the kind of outing that naturally turns into something more — a warm drink, a meal nearby, or lingering longer than expected.
And if this mild stretch gets the better of the ice? No stress. Keep it bookmarked and check back later next week when colder weather rolls in (as it inevitably does). This is one of those winter activities that’s worth catching at just the right moment.
Our Current Hit List
Do you have a list?
These are a few spots currently on our radar — places we’re keen to spend time at over the next week.
If there’s somewhere we should be trying (or revisiting), let us know. We’re always taking notes.
You might spot us tucked into one of these spots soon.
Coffee done right. A comfortable place to linger, catch up, or reset with a warm drink in hand.
A reliable spot for relaxed meals in Old Town. Closed for the holidays, reopening January 15.
Because sometimes the plan is chocolate. Fudge, caramel apples, and an easy excuse to treat yourself.
Help Shape NOTL News
Your voice helps guide what we share each week.
We’re always shaping NOTL News around what matters most to our readers. Take a moment to let us know the stories, features, and updates you’d like to see more of in the weeks ahead.
What content would you like to see more of?
Thanks for reading today’s issue.
If you enjoyed it, pass it along to someone who always asks, “What’s going on in town?”
— Matthew Habinski, Editor @ NOTL News