Boretski Gallery

Stories of Downtown

Boretski Gallery – Marina Boretski

When visiting the businesses of Downtown Belleville you get to take in the beautiful facade of the store front, discover unique local and international products and dine on delicious food. You may catch a glimpse of the owner as they whiz by, the life of a small business owner is hectic – They want to engage with the customer though they also must be the boss, the marketing expert, the cleaner, the server, the accountant and that could be all before noon! We wanted to give those business owners an opportunity to slow down for a moment and share their stories. Because behind each storefront are people who had a dream and put in a whole lot of work to make it come to life. These are some of the stories of Downtown Belleville.

Tucked into the historic heart of Downtown Belleville at 300 Front Street is a boutique that feels like a time capsule and an artist’s studio all in one. Boretski Gallery, owned and curated by Marina Boretski, is more than a vintage store — it’s a living gallery of fashion history, stitched together by passion, craftsmanship, and an unwavering love for style. Marina has been immersed in the world of fashion since she was just ten years old. “I loved stitching patterns,” she recalls. “I was always experimenting with new pieces.” That early passion grew into a lifetime of creativity. Today, she’s not only a skilled seamstress but a painter and designer, breathing new life into every piece that comes through her doors.

Since opening in 2005, Marina has spent the past 20 years building a one-of-a-kind space that reflects her deep admiration for styles from the turn of the century through the 1970s — with a particular soft spot for the elegance of the black-and-white movie era. Boretski Gallery offers a stunning array of shoes, hats, suits, dresses, casual wear, jewellery, wedding gowns, and beautiful accessories for both wardrobe and home. “This was the first store of its kind in Belleville,” Marina shares. When she and her husband purchased the building in 2005, they spent nearly three years restoring the historic space — a labor of love that mirrors the care she puts into each item she sells.

Each piece at Boretski Gallery is hand-selected, lovingly cleaned, and, if needed, meticulously repaired. Then, Marina waits — knowing the right customer will eventually walk in and discover it. “Clothing sets the tone,” she says. “What you wear affects how you feel — and how others feel, too.” Marina isn’t just reviving fashion; she’s crafting experiences. “Each person walking in will have a new experience,” she says. “I’m here to give them the best opportunity to find their best style.” A nearby customer, Ashlea from Vintage Kitchen, chimed in during our conversation: “Marina gets a sort of tunnel vision. She can look at you and know exactly what will fit your body. If it doesn’t fit right away, she makes it fit with her excellent sewing skills. Every dress I’ve bought, I remember the wonderful experience I had finding it.”

Marina’s roots run deep in Belleville. Raised in East Hill, she is a third-generation downtown business owner. Her grandfather ran Uptown Billiards, and her father owned AQ Financial in Century Village. For Marina, downtown is not just a place to work — it’s home. “There’s something special about leaving the door open, hearing the people, the city, the whirring of passing cars. It’s comforting,” she says. “There’s safety in knowing I’m part of a community that supports each other.”

Even outside of work, Marina stays close to her downtown roots. You’ll often find her jogging the streets, grabbing a bite, or celebrating special moments — preferably on a patio in the summertime. In every sense, Boretski Gallery is a reflection of Marina herself: vibrant, creative, and deeply connected to both her craft and her community. Her story — and her store — remind us that downtown isn’t just a place where businesses grow. It’s where passion lives, breathes, and dresses up for the occasion.

Keep following along for our next Story of Downtown!

 

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Stay tuned for more Stories of Downtown coming your way!

 

Funded by Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board