Martello on Brock

05/08/2026

Well, this was exciting! We were thrilled to welcome the team from Visit Kingston to Brock Street as they stopped by our store — along with several other local businesses — to capture photos for upcoming social media features and promotional campaigns highlighting the vibrant spirit of the downtown community.

Visit Kingston is Kingston’s destination marketing organization, dedicated to promoting the city as a premier place to visit, shop, dine, explore, and experience arts and culture. Through tourism campaigns, events, and partnerships with local businesses, they help showcase everything that makes Kingston unique.

Martello on Brock is the sister store to Martello Alley — a fun and eclectic art gallery and gift shop with a nostalgic retro Ontario vibe. Featuring artwork, handmade gifts, souvenirs, and locally inspired treasures, the shop celebrates Ontario culture, vintage charm, and the creativity of local artists.

04/11/2026

I picked up a robotic window cleaner over the winter and finally got to try it out—had to wait for above-freezing temps! It’s actually for our house (we’ve got tons of big, tall windows front and back), but I wanted to see if it could handle the job quickly and without all the usual streaks.

It’s actually hard to tell just how clean the windows are now—which says a lot. What a difference. I’m only showing one side, but there’s zero streaking… they’re absolutely spanking clean. It’s amazing!

It also reminded me of when I had a fish tank years ago—those bottom feeders that would suction along the glass cleaning everything in sight. I used to call it a sucker fish (can’t remember the real name), long body with that plunger-like mouth… incredibly effective. I even had snails that helped keep things clean too—though every now and then one would make a break for it and end up dried out on the floor!

I can’t do all the inside windows just yet—three still have my paintings on them, so I’ll need to clean those off with alcohol first. But once that’s done, I’ll be putting this little machine to work.

Looking forward to trying it at home. What do you think?

04/06/2026

We’re happy to announce that we are restocked with the popular Garden Path soaps. Based in the charming town of Vankleek Hill, Garden Path Homemade Soap believes in the power of nature to provide the best ingredients for skincare. Their commitment to quality and sustainability is reflected in their range of homemade soap, body care, and products for the home.
Garden Path Homemade Soap
Garden Path Homemade Soap
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The company’s soaps are carefully crafted to be gentle on the skin and environmentally friendly, using all-natural ingredients to create what they believe to be the best soap available. Unlike mass-produced soaps that often contain synthetic ingredients and harsh chemicals, Garden Path’s homemade soap is made with natural oils, butters, and essential oils to ensure each bar is luxurious and nourishing. Their process preserves the natural glycerin—often removed in commercial soaps—to maintain the moisturizing properties that keep skin soft and hydrated.

04/01/2026

🍩🐟 Special One-Day Offer at Martello on Brock! 🐟🍩

Martello on Brock has something completely unique today…

For a limited time, you can get your choice of a salmon glazed or cod glazed donut — ABSOLUTELY FREE!
No purchase necessary. Just come in and ask for your free donut!

These donuts are truly one-of-a-kind — you won’t see or taste anything like them 😄

👉 Limit one donut per customer
👉 Please specify your choice: salmon or cod (we expect the salmon glazed donuts to go first!)

💡 Helpful tip: Bring a friend! Each of you can choose a different donut and split them to try both.

📣 Be sure to share this post with friends and family so they don’t miss out!

And if you stop by before noon, you can also try our special fish head soup, made with a blend of mackerel, cod, and catfish heads 🍲

⏳ Hurry — free donut offer ends April 1!
:::

03/22/2026

Update from Martello on Brock! 📦

We’ve started putting the Ontario Made materials to great use and you’ll now see them throughout our Brock Street store—Martello On Brock. It’s a perfect fit, because almost everything we carry is made right here in Ontario (with only a couple of exceptions).

We’ve proudly supported local artists and makers since 2015 at Martello Alley, and since 2020 at Martello on Brock. Supporting local isn’t a trend for us—it’s who we are.

If that matters to you, we’d love for you to stop in and see us. But if you can’t make it in person, you can shop everything online anytime at www.martelloalley.com. You can also call, email, or message us through social media if you have any questions.

We offer free local delivery in the Kingston area (and even beyond—just send us a message for details), and we’re always happy to gift wrap your purchases at no charge.

And if you’re a retailer curious about the Ontario Made program, it’s definitely worth looking into. Membership is free and comes with a lot of great benefits. Feel free to reach out to us if you’d like to learn more!

03/07/2026

It’s Saturday and once again we have David Gilmour in the front window on Brock Street, painting a new picture live. This time he’s working on a scene of the north side of Brock Street looking west.

As he was setting up, I noticed the small table he was assembling—a clever piece he designed and built years ago. The top is covered with strips of Velcro so he can attach his water container, paints, and other materials so they won’t slide, shift, or tip over while he works. It’s also remarkably compact. The three-legged base has a one-quart weight at the bottom that can be removed to reveal spikes underneath—perfect when he’s painting outdoors and wants to simply plant the table firmly into the ground.

It all makes sense when you remember that David is a retired engineer. He often designs practical solutions for the things he needs when painting.

So come on down—it’s a beautiful, warm day, almost like a little heat wave. Visit us at our two stores at 66 Brock Street and 203B Wellington Street. Parking is free in the lot behind the Empire Life building, or you can park on the nearby residential streets just a couple of blocks away. There’s no risk of a ticket when you park on the residential streets nearby since it’s the weekend. You don’t need to use the areas requiring payment, and a short walk is good exercise. ☀️🎨

02/23/2026

SOLD today!
“What’s that?”. - acrylic on canvas 12” x 12”,
It depicts a single child riding a chairlift, quietly looking off to his left, as if something has just caught his attention. It’s a simple moment, but one filled with curiosity and quiet wonder.

The bold, vibrant colours that stand out against a crisp winter sky. The child’s rosy cheeks hint at the cold mountain air, while his patterned winter clothing adds a playful rhythm and warmth to the composition. Though he is alone on the chairlift, there’s a strong sense of story — we don’t see what he’s looking at, but we feel that something has sparked his imagination.

I wanted to capture that small, reflective pause in childhood — the in-between moment of going up the hill, suspended above the snowy landscape, where excitement and curiosity mingle. The naïve style allows the scene to feel spontaneous and heartfelt, like a memory frozen in time. It’s a painting about wonder, anticipation, and the quiet magic of being young.

02/19/2026

02/14/2026

02/06/2026

Congratulations to Elaine Burke on a fantastic interview on YourTV Kingston’s The Local Show! It’s great to see you share your art and your passion with the community!

Elaine’s rock painting workshops are part of the many free workshops that Martello Slley and Martello on Brock are having this February.

Spirit of Winter
Saturday, February 7 – Create whimsical winter-themed rock art.

Heart of Stone (Valentine’s Day Workshop)
Saturday, February 14 – Paint a heart-shaped stone for yourself or a loved one.

Art Is a Family Affair (Family Day)
Monday, February 16 – Families are invited to create rock art together.

Each session runs approximately 30 minutes. Workshops are free, materials are provided, and no sign-up is required. Space is limited to five participants at a time. While walk-ins are welcome, advance registration is recommended to secure your spot and avoid disappointment.
Go to www.martelloalley.com and search for “workshops.”
Thank you YourTV Kingston!