Quinte Corner Cafe
Stories of Downtown
Quinte Corner Cafe. Owner, Heather White
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 wize 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.
Since the Quinte Corner Cafe’s opening in February 2020, just before the onset of the pandemic, Heather has steered her cafe through unprecedented challenges and has emerged as a pillar of the downtown Belleville community. When the chance to purchase the Cafe presented itself four years ago, Heather saw more than just a business opportunity; she saw a chance to build a life where she could prioritize both her family and her passion for connecting with people. “I couldn’t imagine missing big moments with my kids working a 9-5 job” Heather shares, reflecting on her choice of entrepreneurship. “I wanted to be there for everything, track meets, soccer games, to have as much time with them to enjoy while they’re still kids”. Even though her passion is hospitality, Heather believes her true calling in life is to be a mother.
Originally from out of town, Heather was drawn to the Belleville downtown core by countless articles in late 2019/early 2020 highlighting downtown Belleville as one of the fastest-growing downtowns in southern Ontario. Reflecting on her experience as a business owner, Heather speaks happily of the connections she formed with fellow business owners and customers alike. Her favourite part about downtown Belleville? It’s the people, the unique personalities and stories that work together to form a vibrant community. “The people here are what make our downtown so special, the friendships you build and sense of community are invaluable”.
To Heather, Quinte Corner Cafe isn’t just about serving coffee, it’s about creating a positive space where people leave happier than when they arrived. “This business has transformed me from someone who was once closed off and shy to someone who’s outgoing, and confident” she shares with us.
It was wonderful getting the chance to speak to Heather and learn more about one of the delicious cafes in Downtown Belleville. Before we left we had to ask one last tough question, what is her favourite cafe/restaurant downtown? “Well unfortunately I don’t get to visit the other restaurants and cafes in the area as much as I’d like to, so I can’t pick a favourite. But recently I made the goal to try and visit a new cafe or restaurant downtown every week!” Heather replied excitedly. Keep following along for our next Story of Downtown.
Click here to visit Quinte Corner’s website!
For behind the scenes fun head to the Downtown Belleville Instagram and Facebook!
Stay tuned for more Stories of Downtown coming your way in 2024
Funded by Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board
