We Thrive Wellness Centre
Stories of Downtown
We Thrive Wellness Centre – Cristol Smyth & Sarah Hutchison
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.
At 161 Front Street sits a space that feels less like a clinic and more like a home. We Thrive Wellness Centre, co-owned by best friends Cristol and Sarah, is a welcoming, inclusive place where whole-body wellness is nurtured—not rushed. Their journey began not in a boardroom or during a formal planning session, but on a casual phone call while Cristol was driving to Parry Sound. The idea found them, and they knew it was meant to be.
The pair had been neighbours first with children of similar ages! It was this deep connection and shared vision that laid the foundation for what would eventually become We Thrive Wellness Centre. They weren’t just opening a clinic—they were building a community hub, a wellness sanctuary in the heart of downtown. The location itself felt like destiny. They viewed a few places outside of Belleville, but the moment they stepped into the historic former law office at 161 Front, they knew they’d found the one. It was just the two of them when they signed the lease—no team, no roadmap—but the vision was clear. Funny enough, they had said to each other, “It’ll feel official once we have a naturopathic doctor on board.” The very next day, one reached out to them. Another sign they were on the right path.
Today, We Thrive has grown into a team of 17 passionate practitioners, offering everything from private therapy and physical therapy to group yoga, sound bathing, and holistic healing classes. Their approach is intuitively led and deeply rooted in kindness, compassion, and care. Recruiting was rarely, if ever, needed—the right people found them, just like the clients who now come not only for treatment, but for community. “We didn’t want a space that felt clinical or cold,” Cristol and Sarah shared. “People come here to heal—we want them to feel at ease, welcome to arrive early, stay late, have a cup of tea, and feel like they belong.”
They’ve weathered many challenges, including the complexities of running a healthcare business through COVID. But they’ve always embraced change, adjusting when needed, and keeping their eyes ahead on brighter days. Even during the revitalization of downtown, when day-to-day operations were sometimes tricky, they never lost sight of the bigger picture—and now, seeing the transformation, they’re proud to be part of such a thriving community.
When asked about why they enjoy being in Downtown Belleville both Cristol and Sarah agreed that the proximity to the river and the walkability of downtown are big bonuses for the team. Being close to the farmers’ market and having a supportive landlord in a beautifully maintained heritage building only adds to the charm. And of course, running a bustling wellness centre takes fuel! The We Thrive team loves grabbing bites from Benji’s and Pho Blue Basil, while also including, “all the downtown eats are fantastic!”
It was wonderful getting the chance to chat with Cristol and Sarah and learn more about another amazing business in Downtown Belleville. Keep following along for our next Story of Downtown!
Find out more about everything offered at wethrivewellnesscentre.ca
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Stay tuned for more Stories of Downtown coming your way!
Funded by Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board
