Pop-Ups on the Bay: Shop, Eat & Meet in Belleville's West Zwick Park
Do something a little different and visit Belleville’s West Zwick Park to support local businesses and appreciate local culture. There’s a little something for everyone at Pop-Ups on the Bay!
The first time that I properly visited Belleville through a tourism lens was for their well known “Festival of Lights,” which is Belleville’s unofficial kick-off to the holiday season that’s often a draw for thousands across the province. On my next visit, this time in warmer weather, I arrived to see Belleville’s main strip (Front St.) fully decked out for their summer “Al Fresco” event. There were people swinging in “moon swings,” taking pictures on the painted “tête-à-tête” chairs, or doing any number of other things along Front.
The city was abuzz. And it occured to me that Belleville seems to always have something going on, and if they don’t at that particular moment, they’re preparing for the next event or festival on the horizon.
That was further confirmed when I took a quick drive over to West Zwick Park to check out “Pop-Ups on the Bay.” Pop-Ups on the Bay is essentially a collection of shipping containers situated right by the water which offer things to eat, to buy, or to rent while you enjoy the beautiful outdoor surroundings. It’s a neat initiative in that, if you wanted to, you could eat some Middle Eastern cuisine, grab yourself a specialty coffee, eat a little ice-cream, and rent a paddle board in the space of a few moments.
For folks like myself, who like a diversity of experiences, it’s a great way to try a lot of different things in just a little space of time and, perhaps most importantly, to meaningfully support local businesses.
If you follow my writing, you may have recently read my article over on my sister site, Ultimate Ontario, on some of the top things to do in Belleville, and I’d encourage you to use that article to explore the city proper, but today I want to highlight a particular event that I believe showcases the entrepreneurship, community support, as well as festival culture that’s so prevalent in Belleville and the Bay of Quinte at large.
What Do You Need to Know About Pop-Ups on the Bay?
The initiative really got under way back in 2019 when these “pop-ups” appeared in West Riverside Park during the warmer months. Jackie Jarrell, the owner of The Golden Scoop was an original participant, and she’s been back every year since.
In an article back in 2019, she noted, “It’s a unique and exciting opportunity. I grew up spending plenty of time by the water; I think it’s a great way to exercise outside, spend time with your family and friends and appreciate the beauty of the Bay. Also, all of the pop-ups complement each other: with bicycle rentals and food, and refreshing products after a long day in the sun…”
This year, Pop-Ups on the Bay operated Friday-Sunday in June, will operate Tuesday-Sunday throughout July and August, and will be open Friday-Sunday during September. Typically the hours are 11am-7pm.
If you happen upon this article when Pop-Ups on the Bay is not currently running, it’s very likely this event will be running in the upcoming summer due to its inherent popularity, so follow @popupsonthebay on Instagram, or visit their site to keep posted on details.
Some Practical Details
All vendors accept debit and credit, so don’t stress if you don’t have cash.
There’s ample parking available.
There are public washrooms available for use that are cleaned regularly and are fully accessible.
There are tons of picnic tables and seating areas throughout the park where you can enjoy your food or just sit down to appreciate the breeze coming off the water.
The site is considered accessible, although, in some cases, you must travel on some grass to get to the vendors.
Many of these vendors have physical stores around the Bay of Quinte Region, so be sure to keep your eyes out for their spaces when you’re exploring the area.
Rain isn’t a factor for shutting things down, though if there’s an ongoing thunderstorm they may close things down. They’ll announce that on their social channels.
Not all vendors may be open when you arrive. You can certainly count on being able to get your fill if you’re coming to grab a bite, but, depending on the day, it’s not impossible that a particular vendor isn’t open that day. For the most part, though, you should be just fine.
If you want to pre-book a kayak or SUP rental, you can do so here.
The Vendors That Popped Up This Year!
Below, I’ll list the vendors that you can check out when you visit. There are 13 vendors in total, and it’s a real eclectic mix. Bri and I spent much of an afternoon checking out the vendors, and that mainly involved eating large portions of delicious cuisine under sunny skies. Tough job, I know.
I’ll note what each vendor has on offer, as well as what we tried from specific vendors and would recommend. Please note that they’re listed in alphabetical order and not in any hierarchical sense.
Authentic Apparel: Visit Nadine’s booth for customized clothing and accessories that even include pet-themed items. Word on the street (or in the park?) says treats and sno-cones might also be in the mix.
Benji’s Cafe & Bakeshop: If you’re looking for cafe style drinks in West Zwick park, then do not miss Benjamin’s booth. It’s more than just drinks, though. You’ve got a variety of European baked goods on offer (if you haven’t tried a stroopwafel, I suggest you change that immediately), and some paninis to-go. Bri had an iced-coffee from here that she was more than happy with!
Brick Oven Pizza Truck: How exactly can you have a brick oven in a pizza truck? Ingenuity, that’s how. David aims to make some classic Italian pies, but using a whole new vehicle (quite literally). While we were there, there was a lineup, and the folks eating it on the grass nearby seemed to be awfully happy with their choice.
Falafel Royale: Nasr wore a kind smile on his face the entire time we were chatting, and his family was also on-deck to help, which was lovely to see. Falafel Royale serves authentic Syrian cuisine, and you’ll find some Middle Eastern favourites here like chicken shawarma and falafel. We tried the shawarma and quite enjoyed it. The following morning after our visit to Pop-Ups on the Bay, we saw Nasr back in action at the Belleville Farmers’ Market, and I’ve just got tremendous respect his this man’s hustle!
Gator’s Fries: Amanda and her team like to joke that, at this point, “they’re a well oiled machine.” God, I love a good pun. Anyway, they’re not exaggerating because they’ve got three food trucks in the region at this point. If you’re hungry, this is an awesome spot to circle because they certainly don’t skimp on portion sizes.
JERKebago: Did someone say authentic, smoked, charcoal grilled jerk chicken and savoury beef patties? Well, if they did, my bet it was the folks over at JERKebago because that’s what they’re serving up. If you’re craving Caribbean fusion, then keep your eyes peeled for their shipping container when you’re strolling around the grounds.
Lemons: There are few things that are better on a hot day than a crisp, cold glass of lemonade. And we all know this summer in Ontario has been hotter than hot, and very lemonade friendly. Paula opened Lemons on Main Street in Wellington just last summer, but this year she decided to bring her talents to West Zwick Park. Personally, I was most impressed when I realized that this wasn’t the typical experience where you’d ask for a lemonade and call it a day. No, she’s got over 10 different flavours of hand-crafted lemonade on offer, and some Italian soda flavours to go along with it.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: I’m not going to lie, I didn’t spot this famed yogurt spot with my own two eyes while perusing the grounds, but I’m told they’re on the roster of vendors, so I want to give them their due. If you visit and spot them there, shoot me a message over on Instagram, and let me know how it was!
Royal Haveli: Rakesh is a master of North Indian style street food, and he’s come to West Zwick to prove just that. Folks may recognize his restaurant name if they regularly go to Quinte Mall, since one of his restaurant locations is located right around there. Last year, their spot was a hit at Pop-Ups on the Bay, and they’re hoping for much the same this time around.
Smokin’ Carnivore: After eating our way through Pop-Ups on the Bay, Bri and I thought, “why not try to fit in one more spot?” So, we headed to Smokin’ Carnivore for our last stop and ordered the pulled pork sandwich. They did not hold back, and I swear that after Bri and I finished the meal, we could have been rolled away down the street. Joking aside, we were incredibly satisfied with the sandwich, and the fries on the side were also great, which is no surprise considering they’re well known for their poutines. Kevin, the cofounder of Smokin’ Carnivore, also runs the Taco Hut.
Sugar Mama’s Bake Shoppe: Krysten and Joanna are the mother-daughter duo behind Sugar Mama’s and they’ve got everything from cake pops to cupcakes. If you’re looking for a good butter tart (isn’t every Ontarian?), then this might be the spot you head first. Not to mention the cheesecakes and the hand-rolled donuts. Well folks, I’m officially hungry. They’ve got a spot in central Belleville as well if you find you like what you taste!
The Golden Scoop: As I mentioned above, Jackie and her team have been at this event since day one, and they’re offering Canadian made ice-cream and milkshakes that they whole family can enjoy. If you happen to be running or exercising in the park, you’ll also be keen to know they offer Biosteel sugar-free freezies and electrolyte mixes! Jackie, you see, grew up on a local dairy farm, but she’s also an athlete, so at the Golden Scoop, her passions collide, and we all benefit.
Venture Outfitters: If you’re looking to get active, then look no further than Venture Outfitters. Whatever you’re looking to do (rent a bike, kayak, canoe etc.), they’ve got you covered. They’re big on the stand up paddle-board culture as well, so if you haven’t tried that just yet, this might be your ideal chance to try!
What Else Should You Know About This Belleville Experience?
One thing that I’d personally love to highlight is that a visit to Pop-Ups on the Bay is also an invitation to appreciate local art and artists. Over 14 artists were commissioned to paint on-site to showcase local culture and talent. The murals turned out wonderfully, and if you look carefully, you’ll see nods to the culture, sights, and sounds of the local area. I know that Bri and I particularly appreciated Maria Moreno’s piece which showcased the city of Belleville, as well as its bridges. You can see that mural quite clearly in our featured photo at the top of the article, if you’re keen!
Beyond that, I would also encourage you to stroll around Zwick Island, and the park in general. Bri and I spent a fair bit of time sitting on a bench by the water and watching sailboats tackle the waves out in the distance as the sun shined high overhead. We also wanted to walk to offset all the eating and drinking we’d just done! But, hey, all for the sake of research, right?!
I’ve never liked museums where I’m rushed from room to room, or experiences which are too heavily manicured or prescribed.
What I like about Pop-Ups on the Bay is that you can do this your way. You can grab a bite wherever you like, stay as long or as little as you like, and go alone or bring an entourage. There’s a freedom in it all that’s awfully befitting of an Ontario summer event. So, before winter comes and rears its head again (it’s going to happen, sadly), appreciate the warm weather, and the warmth of a community event that’s quickly becoming a time honoured tradition.
I want to humbly thank Bay of Quinte Tourism for hosting me as media. All opinions are completely my own.
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