Partners with
We figured if anyone’s going to take this week’s top spot, it might as well be us.
We want to remind our audience of why we’re here: to keep Niagara-on-the-Lake local, informed, and connected — week after week!
TODAY IN NOTL
🌨 Weather
We’re right in the middle of February, and winter is reminding us it’s not done yet. After a stretch of milder days, it looks like we’ll finally see a bit more snow heading into next week — a proper mid-season refresh for NOTL.
If you’ve been missing that classic winter look around town, it’s on its way.
🕺 Community Note
Even with winter still holding on, you can feel things starting to shift. Shops are gearing up, events are being planned, and tourist season is quietly waiting just around the corner.
What are you most looking forward to this spring in Niagara-on-the-Lake?
Send your thoughts to [email protected] — we’d love to share what other Notlers are excited about.
Lets get into the news👇
🧐 A Few Things We’ve Learned About NOTL
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been having some fun with polls — and let’s just say… Niagara-on-the-Lake has a personality.
A few clear patterns:
☕ Coffee wins. By a landslide.
🏘 Old Town is where most of us spend our time.
🍷 When asked what you want more of? Local events and what’s on topped the list.
And then there’s the “Other” category...
When we asked, “where do you read NOTL News?” There was a surprising number of you who said the living room — which honestly, I’m not sure why we didn’t include it in the initial poll options. A town that values comfort, routine, and a quiet moment before the day begins… makes sense that many locals would be reading our articles from the comfort of their living rooms.
We also noticed a healthy number of replies coming in from Mexico and Florida this time of year. Hard to blame you. But if we’re being honest, we can’t be jealous; we are already living in one of the best places in North America. Maybe someday I’ll understand the “Snow Bird” lifestyle.
Here’s what this tells us:
NOTL News isn’t just being opened — it’s being read by real locals, in real routines, in real homes (and the occasional beach chair).
If you’re a local business, event organizer, or community group looking to connect with people who are genuinely paying attention — this is your audience.
And if you’re a reader who’s been enjoying the polls, stories, and town insights — keep participating. Reply, vote, share. Vote. Share. This whole local newsletter thing only gets better the more you’re part of it.
Interested in partnering or featuring your business?
Reach out to [email protected] — we’re building this together.
Ideas for your next outing in town!
Scrape
Eating is always a good thing to do every now and again. Why not check out one of NOTL newest and still untaped food opportunities? Go check out Scrape on Victoria Street.
@Scrape.ca
Irish Design
Snow looks like its coming back to NOTL. Maybe its time to find a new sweater or update your wardrobe with something fitting for the season.
@IrishDesignNiagara
🎾 Pickleball Pause in Virgil
For a sport with a popular condiment in its name, pickleball has brought an unexpected amount of heartbreak to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The outdoor pickleball courts at Virgil Sports Park will be closed for the 2026 season following a decision at the Town’s February 10 meeting.
If you’re a regular at the courts, this one likely stings a little. The Virgil location has been a go-to spot for players to get outside, stay active, and maybe — just maybe — debate whether that ball was in or out.
For now, outdoor play at Virgil is paused.
The Good News
Pickleball isn’t disappearing from Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Indoor courts remain available at the NOTL Community Centre and Centennial Arena. There are also outdoor courts at Queenston Heights Park.
And let’s be honest — it’s still February. My athletic résumé peaked somewhere around Grade 9 gym class, so anyone willingly sprinting around a court at 8 a.m. this time of year already deserves a medal.
There’s still time before the full outdoor season would normally ramp up. Who knows — things can evolve. For now, the paddles are just moving indoors.
We’ll keep Notlers updated as more information becomes available.
Read more here! 👉 NiagaraThisWeek.com
🛍 On Our Radar
We’re feeling thrifty this week.
Antiques, vintage finds, hidden gems, and pieces with a little history — there’s something satisfying about giving old treasures a second life (and maybe bragging about the deal you scored).
If there’s somewhere we should be browsing next, let us know. We’re always on the hunt.
A go-to for curated vintage pieces and timeless finds tucked right in Virgil — the kind of place where you “just pop in” and somehow leave with something special.
Part thrift shop, part community impact — every purchase here supports local families while giving great clothing and household items a second chapter.
If you’re serious about treasure hunting, this is your playground — rows of booths, thousands of square feet, and enough nostalgia to keep you wandering for hours.
🏌️♀️ Pick a hobby
If you HAD to choose one of these options below, what would you prefer to spend your time doing here in town?
If your hobby isn’t included here, thats alright, let us know what YOU like doing.
Which hobby best suits you?
Thanks for reading today’s issue.
If you enjoyed it, pass it along to someone who always asks, “What’s going on in town?”
Missed last week’s article and need to play catch up? Here ya go! 👉 💌 Valentines Day in NOTL
You may as well go read up on Gala Blue while you’re at it! 👉 💙 Gala Blue: A Night of Impact
— Matthew Habinski, Editor @ NOTL News
