MALLORYTOWN - Northern Soul BBQ and Dairy Bar - once a popular seasonal food truck catering to Graham Lake area campgrounds - is now open throughout the winter for the very first time for take-out or dining in.

This is a welcome news for Northern Soul customers. The lovers of its "Traditional Southern-style Q with a Northern Flair" can now have their smoked St. Louis side ribs, heaping poutine plates, pulled pork and all the fixings, year round. Northern Soul is operating out of a newly-constructed 36 X 66-foot storefront at 169 Lake Street. No more waiting until spring for Northern Soul's smoked BBQ sensations. 

"We have people coming from all over," says co-owner Bruce Norman. "We've built up a great reputation in the area." 

Northern Soul BBQ opened as a summer-only venture 5 years ago using a custom-built 24-foot trailer at the Norman homestead. Bruce, who helped launch Brockville and Kemptville Ribfest events, had become a BBQ and meat smoking enthusiast and thought a trailer featuring smoked favourites could be a hit.  He was right and soon Bruce, his wife Emily and son Neil, who is now the main face of the business, were busy. 

"In the 2nd year, we doubled our business despite being in the middle of nowhere," says Neil. The family added a second trailer to keep up. By year 3, they built a larger 32-foot unit to meet demand. By late 2015, their 4th year, it was time to go even bigger and break ground on a new building. 

"We were overwhelmed and grew another 50%," says Bruce. The family discovered a lot of people want to dine on-site so in addition to picnic tables a gazebo was built. Next spring a covered patio will be added to the storefront. In these colder months, the new facility offers an indoor lunch counter and seating area. Seating may be expanded depending on demand.

"Nothing goes on our menu unless we've tried it.  We've always wanted to present a good product to the public," says Emily. The new Marsal double brick pizza oven means 12 specialty thin-crust pies are now on the menu. Northern Soul also sells products wholesale and has been approached by area restaurants for their smoked products. Steaks right off the grill will be introduced and a liquor license may be pursued.

TripAdvisor and Yelp reviews of this local eatery are 4.5 and 5 stars. Fans say its the best poutine around. Regular hours are Monday to Wednesday 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday to 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. (for full breakfast) to 7:30 p.m.  Visit their Facebook page for more information or give them a call at 613-923-2111. Look for their bright red road signs.

Rebecca Jackson, left, and her cousin Melissa dig into their pulled pork poutine. Below, a steamy dish at the lunch counter. 

KEMPTVILLE - A complimentary Social Media Marketing Seminar is being hosted by the Business Retention + Expansion Alliance. Keynote speakers are Launch Lab's Stephen Beamish, Entrepreneur in Residence, and Chelsea Davidson. Advisory Support Services.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 25th, 6-8 p.m. 

(Networking 6-6:30 p.m.)

WHERE: Grenville Mutual Insurance Company Room, 

380 Colonnade Drive, Kemptville

The session will discuss how to gain traffic or attention through social media sites, understanding social media marketing fundamentals, content marketing and using social media platforms to promote products and services.

Register for free on the BR+E Alliance website.

Please take 10-15 minutes to complete the EmployerOne survey so we can have primary data to help support workforce development in Leeds Grenville.

Be entered to win a $100 gift certificate of your choice for goods and services from a Leeds Grenville business. 

Next survey draw deadline: Friday, January 6, 2017.

Congratulations to Rockport Boat Line for completing the survey in December and winning a $100 gift certificate.