Boomtown: Picton Main Street is drawing new restaurants

Several established chefs and restaurateurs are opening or expanding on Picton Main Street, with Gillingham Brewing’s Outpost opened in November and planned spring openings from Bantam and Rosetta.

Picton's Main Street is seeing a cluster of new and returning restaurants that are changing the town's year-round character. The street sits between Port Picton and the recently re-opened Claramount Club, with development at Base31 nearby, and is central to a slow-burn population increase in the County. Local and Toronto-based chefs have moved in or expanded operations, citing the chance to work with area farmers, winemakers and brewers. Business owners say the increasing activity is helping blur the line between seasonal and year-round trade. Key details: - Gillingham Brewing Company opened an Outpost on Picton Main Street in November and is partnering with nearby restaurants for food offerings. - Chef Rollande Robertson plans to bring the Bantam restaurant back to 165 Main Street and aims to open before Easter. - Rosetta, a partnership between Grant Van Gameren and Jesse Fader, is converting a longstanding restaurant space, is hiring staff, and is planning a March opening with Italian-inspired dining and an elevated takeout menu. - The area is described as increasingly busy year-round, with nearby attractions and developments (Port Picton, the Claramount Club, Base31) contributing to foot traffic and local demand. - Other new outlets, including a Domino's Pizza location, are also opening soon, reflecting a broader growth in Main Street offerings. Summary: The concentration of new eateries and returning businesses is making Picton Main Street more active beyond the traditional tourist season and signals growing local commercial momentum. Several openings are scheduled for the coming spring while Gillingham Brewing's Outpost already opened in November. Undetermined at this time.