Do you love The Mainstreeter? Do you want a real voice in the direction of your community newspaper? Do you want to meet new friends and neighbours who enjoy The Mainstreeter as much as you do? Do you want to support our community organizations and our local artists? Do you want to help sustain your community newspaper and volunteer for our events like A Walk of Art?
Show your love by signing aboard and becoming A Friend of The Mainstreeter. Full sign-up details and supporter benefits information are found at The Mainstreeter‘s online Community Shop.
The Mainstreeter’s online gift shop is the place to find the perfect gifts for year-round shopping. All made locally, our community gifts celebrate Old Ottawa East (OOE), and they’re tailor-made for those who love where they live. Our Mainstreeter mugs, our annual OOE Calendar, our 504-piece and 1,008-piece jigsaw puzzles and our boxed-set greeting cards are all reasonably priced and delivered right to your door!
In this Month’s Issue
Art Beat TANISBROWNING-SHELP TANIS@BROWNING-SHELP.COM A finger on the pulse of the arts in OOE OOE ARTIST FEATURE: 2026 CELEBRASIAN DANCE BRINGS DIVERSE ARTISTIC VOICES TO THE STAGE FOR ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH On May 20, the ODD Box theatre came to life with the dazzling costumes, movements, and music of Asian-Canadian...
Art Beat TIM HUNT’SMAIN STREETSKETCHES Tim Hunt explores his community outfitted with a small sketchbook, pen, and watercolour kit. In our regular feature, he shares the pages from his sketchbook and tells the stories behind his work. TIM HUNT Approaching the Rideau River train bridge on a recent paddle I...
OUR NEIGHBOURS Full circle brings Carrie Cole back to where it all began After a career spanning three decades in banking, fashion and fine wine, Carrie Cole returns to the Scotiabank branch to once again serve her customers in Old Ottawa East. DIANNE WING Sometimes it feels like life’s...
A love of the loom: Beckwith Galleries is keeping the art of hand-knotted carpets alive SARAH PLEDGE DICKSON It is impossible to walk through Beckwith Galleries without stepping on piles of hand-knotted carpets stacked a dozen high. Carpets from around the world hang on the walls and those too...
The “Kim’s Convenience” of Old Ottawa East Dixie Dairy: A mainstay on Main Street JOHN DANCE In the midst of a fast-changing business world, Dixie Dairy on Main Street carries on with owner Kebreab Ogbit – known as Gabriel to many of us – and his family adapting...
OLD OTTAWA EATS Extreme weather forces growers, retailers, and shoppers to adapt Fresh food in a warming world – why your fruits and vegetables cost more Drought, heat, and supply disruptions are changing the future of fruits and vegetables, explains one of Ottawa’s most experienced fresh produce retailers....
OLD OTTAWA EAST COMMUNITY UPDATES John Dance is The Mainstreeter’s chief reporter and the former Chair of the Old Ottawa East Community Association’s Planning Committee. With his extensive experience, he keeps our readers informed of a wide range of community developments. 417 Bridge Replacement and Ballantyne Park Although the scheduling...
Would Indigenous reconciliation be better served without another footbridge? JOHN BENNETT Is a new footbridge across the Rideau River at Brantwood Park needed – and would building one be a good way to contribute to Indigenous reconciliation? Brantwood Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Ottawa, largely because...
OLD OTTAWA EATS Dining Out! Quietly serving some of Ottawa’s best Greek food Family-run Greek Souvlaki Shack in Centretown has built a loyal following through word of mouth and consistent cuisine QUINN ABUGOV Tucked into a modest stretch of Bank Street in Ottawa’s Centretown, the Greek Souvlaki...
Sleepless nights, sturdy strollers, and community support A pedestrian, older, first-time parent’s guide to having a baby in Old Ottawa East MELISSA EBERLY I was still pregnant with our daughter when The Mainstreeter’s editor suggested that I write an article about parenting in Old Ottawa East. I initially...
The height of controversy surrounds plan to demolish 441 Echo Drive apartments A proposed seven-storey development across from the Flora Footbridge sparks debate over planning rules, affordable housing and fit within the neighbourhood. JOHN DANCE Developer JB Holdings proposes to demolish its 441 Echo Drive 16-unit low-rise apartment...
OLD OTTAWA EATS Sandy Hill’s newest hotspot hits the sweet spot Dinette Atomique pairs diner classics with Vietnamese influences and an inviting retro aesthetic QUINN ABUGOV On a Tuesday evening in early May, my dining partner and I made our way to Dinette Atomique in Sandy Hill, eager...
