Then & Now in Downtown Belleville: 392 Front St.
Dr. Jim’s Computer Repair sits at 392 Front St., the entrance of bustling downtown Belleville and backing onto the beautiful Moira River. One can easily be transported back to 1871 when the stately but unassuming red brick building was built, including the still visible vintage paint reading “Ontario Hotel” in faded letters that can currently be seen, after some restoration on the front of the building. The mural is left over from when the building serviced those coming through either on the corner of the “Upper Bridge”, now the Moira Bridge, the Railway, which ran up Pinnacle Street from 1856 to 1964, or those working in lumber or one of the many industries along the Moira River.
Written by Xandra Grayson
Read time: 5 min
Hotels were a common sight in Belleville when 392 Front St. was built, so much so that the current Victoria Ave. downtown Belleville was once named Hotel St. before the name was changed in the early 1900s. With a busy harbour and rail system, many workers and visitors made their way to and through Belleville, which was known as “the most prosperous town in all of Upper Canada” at the time.
For those staying at the Ontario Hotel, it must have been a noisy, industrial experience, with a bar on the main floor and engine rooms and stables just behind, now replaced with a scenic walking path along the river. The sounds of industry from Walker’s Foundry just south on the Moira River, or any of the carpentry or saddle-making factories closely surrounding the hotel would have rung out loudly day and night.
Life at 392 Front St. became much sweeter in 1929 when Ralph C. Weese purchased his candy shop and moved to that location. He brought expertise in hand-crafted artisanal candy making with him and would remain there for the next 35 years, becoming a fixture in the community and a delight to children and parents alike. The kiss-making machine and the hand-cranked taffy cutter pulled popular creamy taffy with hand-powered turn-of-the-century equipment that was almost as old as the building itself.
The Weese Candy Store closed in 1964 when Ralph C. Weese retired after a 63-year career in candy making. The candy store helped to usher along the evolution of the area of Front St. from industrial factories to leisure and retail commerce. This change would highlight the transformation of Belleville as a community where schools and community centers were springing up where only factories, bars, and labour once dominated. Though there have been many stores after the Weese Candy shop, including a dog groomer and even the Belleville Art Association showcasing their many beautiful art pieces in their ground-level gallery, many who grew up in Belleville remember the Weese Candy shop fondly for its many years of service to the children’s taste buds.
Echoes of this rich and sweet history can be found when entering Dr. Jim’s Computer Repair shop at 392 Front St. today. In a store where the future meets the past, Jim works to keep his place cozy with a fireplace, a large, unique, red velvet, carved antique chair, and an inviting smile. A true master of his craft with multiple Microsoft accreditations and proficiency in all different types of technology, Jim has received multiple community awards for his services and extensive knowledge. Jim has also supported the community by accepting a position on the Computer Systems Technology Professional Advisory Council with Loyalist College as their lead volunteer. This coupled with his Facebook Pages: Belleville Wireless Business Hub, Belleville Barter Exchange, and his article “Tech Talk” in the Madoc Chamber of Commerce newspaper is indicative of the fact that Jim never hesitates to help educate those on the newest trends in technology.
It’s not just the nuts and bolts of computer repair in Dr. Jim’s; a working ‘Internet Cafe’ is available for those looking for coffee and connection as well as a gallery wall to showcase local artists. The artwork is available to enjoy while you are in the Cafe or for purchase and take home with you if you find one you can’t part with. New artists and artworks are on display with a rotation every two months so don’t forget to stop in to see what is new.
Though it may not be the rowdy meeting place of the past, where foundry workers stopped by to sample the products of the local breweries and distilleries, or later where children sampled handmade sweets, Dr. Jim’s Computer Repair is an excellent place to clean and fix your technology, see local artwork, and partake in a coffee and a chat all while enjoying the echoes of the old Ontario Hotel.
Historic photos and maps courtesy of the Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County.
