🍇 Spring-ing Into Spring

A wet start to the weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Friday brings steady rain throughout the day with highs around 9°C, setting a grey tone heading into the weekend. Saturday offers a bit of relief with some sun breaking through, though cooler temperatures stick around.

By Sunday, rain returns—with a chance of snow overnight as temperatures dip below freezing. Early next week trends colder, with flurries possible Monday and lows reaching -3°C.

Spring may be here on the calendar, but the weather isn’t quite ready to cooperate.

Today marks the official first day of spring—March 20 🌸 which means longer days, more sunlight, and the gradual shift toward everything that makes NOTL come alive.

While the weather might take its time catching up, the season itself has arrived. Patios, wineries, and event season are all on the horizon, and the energy around town will start to build from here.

The warmer days are coming—it’s just a matter of time.

Lets get into the news👇

If you’ve noticed new homes, businesses, and redevelopment projects appearing across Niagara-on-the-Lake lately, you’re seeing part of a bigger story unfolding across the region.

Niagara is growing — but before any project can move forward, there is a critical step that happens behind the scenes: environmental due diligence.

That’s where Niagara Soils Solutions Ltd. (NSSL) plays a role.

Based in nearby Thorold and founded in Niagara, NSSL is an environmental consulting firm that works with developers, builders, municipalities, and property owners across the region. Their team specializes in environmental site assessments, excess soil management, and redevelopment support, helping projects move forward while meeting Ontario’s environmental regulations.

“Niagara is experiencing significant growth, and responsible redevelopment plays an n communities like Niagara-on-the-Lake — where farmland, historic land use, and new development often intersect — understanding the past use of a property is essential.

Environmental assessments help identify potential risks tied to a property’s history — information that can be critical before land is purchased, financed, or redeveloped.

“Environmental assessments are really about understanding the story of a property — what happened there before and how it affects the future of the land,” explains Jodie Glasier, President & CEO of Niagara Soils Solutions Ltd.

That process can sometimes reveal unexpected challenges.

Across Niagara, for example, legacy oil and gas wells occasionally appear on properties. In many cases, these must be identified through surveys and properly decommissioned to current provincial standards before planning approvals or building permits can be issued.

Without this early insight, projects can face delays, added costs, or complications during development.

NSSL also helps project teams manage excess soil from construction and development, ensuring it is assessed, tracked, and reused responsibly in accordance with Ontario’s excess soil regulations.

“Excess soil is no longer considered waste — it’s a resource when managed properly,” Glasier says.

As Niagara-on-the-Lake and the surrounding region continue to grow, firms like NSSL play an important behind-the-scenes role in the early stages of development.

Identifying environmental concerns early doesn’t just support responsible growth — it helps projects move forward with fewer surprises, clearer timelines, and greater confidence.

To learn more about their work across the region, visit www.nssl.ca or connect with Niagara Soils Solutions Ltd. on LinkedIn.

Planning a development, land purchase, or redevelopment project in Niagara?

NSSL can help you understand the environmental story of a property — before work begins.

👉 Click here to learn more.

The Shaw Festival officially opens April 2—and this year, there’s more to the story than just the lineup.

With the Royal George Theatre now closed, the Shaw is returning to its roots at the Niagara District Court House on Queen Street, reopening the historic venue for its first full season in decades. It’s a full-circle moment for one of NOTL’s biggest cultural draws—and one that’s already generating buzz.

The season opens with Sleuth, a sharp, twist-filled thriller, alongside a strong lineup that includes Funny Girl, Heartbreak House, Cinderella, and Ohio State Murders. Altogether, it feels like a season with something to prove.

If you’ve been thinking about booking, this might be the year to do it. Tickets and full details are available through the link above.

Château des Charmes is opening its doors for an elevated wine-tasting and paint experience in collaboration with You and I Paint. Set inside the elegance of the chateau, this two-hour experience offers a relaxed, social atmosphere where guests can sip, paint, and unwind.

Guests are welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine, followed by a curated flight of three estate wines. A guided painting session—designed for all skill levels—includes all materials, so you can simply show up and enjoy the process. By the end of the afternoon, you’ll leave with your own finished piece.

The experience takes place in a private, thoughtfully designed space within the chateau, creating an intimate and comfortable setting. A light on-site menu will also be available for purchase if you’re looking to pair your wine with something extra.

You can find tickets and full event details through the link included above.

A restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake is quietly building serious momentum—and starting to get noticed beyond the region.

Revé, a true culinary experience in NOTL, has been open for about a year, but it’s now entering a new phase of recognition. Recently highlighted by BlogTO as a potential Michelin contender, it’s the kind of nod that puts it in a completely different conversation.

In a town known for great food, that kind of attention stands out.

For locals, this is one to keep in your back pocket. Whether you’re hosting out-of-town guests or looking for a standout dining experience, Revé is quickly becoming one of those go-to recommendations when “somewhere special” comes up.

📍 242 Mary St. | Read the BlogTO feature

March Break is behind us, and this weekend marks the return to routine across NOTL—but not for long. With spring officially here, things are about to ramp up fast.

This is your reminder: event season is around the corner. Wineries, patios, festivals, markets—everything that makes NOTL come alive is about to kick off 🌱

For the NOTL News crowd, now’s the time to get ready. We’ve got a packed season ahead with local events, new experiences, and plenty of reasons to get out and explore.

Stay tuned—things are just getting started.

Thanks for reading today’s issue.

If you enjoyed it, pass it along to someone who always asks, “What’s going on in town?”

And while your at it go catch up on last weeks’ article! 👉 🍇 Scenic Spots and Deals for the Weekend

— Matthew Habinski, Editor @ NOTL News

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