The former Greenley’s Bookstore building on Front Street Belleville. It is now owned by Jamie Troke of Ekort Realty. The building is undergoing extensive renovations.(Photo/Quinte News).
It was all about the downtown as the Heritage Belleville Committee celebrated its annual Open House event last night (Friday).
The owner of the former Greenley’s Bookstore building, Jamie Troke, and the owner of the old Belleville Fire Hall building, Maury Flunder, both received plaques of recognition from the Heritage Committee.
Jamie Troke’s building was built in 1824 and at first was Henry Corby’s bakery and general store.
Maury Flunder’s building now houses Chilango’s Mexican Restaurant and All Good Things Home Shop.
Chair of the committee, Janna Colton says the recognition stems from both Troke and Flunder doing significant renovations on their buildings while maintaining their original look.
The heritage building owned by Maury Flunder on the north end of Front Street in Belleville.(Photo/Quinte News).
Dinkel’s Restaurant and Courtyard was chosen as the location for the open house as it sits in a beautiful heritage building on Bridge Street in the downtown.
Meanwhile, Colton says in the past year, the committee has listed 139 buildings in the downtown area as being of historical significance.
The committee had wanted to list 140, but one property owner did not agree with the idea, so it wasn’t listed.
Being listed as of historical significance means an owner cannot proceed with renovations to the building until the plans are brought to council and to the Heritage Committee.
Colton says ultimately, the committee hopes the downtown area, including some of Harriet, Coleman, Church, and Station Streets, can be declared a Heritage District.
The focus on downtown Belleville continues in September. On September 16, the committee will hold its Doors Open event, with the self-guided tour focusing on properties in the downtown area.
