Disclaimer: Joe Kowalski owns and publishes the Whitewater News.
FORESTER’S FALLS – The River Barn continues ten years of brewpub traditions on Grant Settlement Road, and aims to start a new tradition.
A sign directs drivers from Grant Settlement Road onto Fletcher Road, where two silos and a red barn complex greet the would-be visitor with an ‘Open’ sign in a window to where dairy cows would originally gather.
The farm where the pub is located was originally bought by Joe Kowalski “20-some years ago”, when the farmer approached him with an offer to sell the land.
“I did some mental math, and bought myself a farm in five minutes.” Joe Kowalski of Wilderness Tours said.
“Our goal is for this to be a huge tourist attraction.”
Originally a dairy farm, Whitewater Brewing set up a brewpub there in 2013.
Whitewater Brewing will open at their new location on 503 Rafting Road, at the site of the original Wilderness Tours, on June 3rd of this year.
The River Barn, now a part of Wilderness Tours, will sport a market for local craftsman and products, a play area, and close access to the Ottawa River Rapids.
Joe Kowalski said that he hoped the minutes-away location from the river would encourage ‘day-trippers’ to see the River without having to commit to rafting on it.
“The vision ,even as a working dairy barn, was to create the hub of the River Community” the menu says.
“The cycling, paddlers, rafters are already here.” Joe Kowalski said. “We’re looking for the day-trippers from Ottawa.”
The restaurant’s menus features sandwiches, wraps, and sourdough-bread pizza, as well as local beers produced by Whitewater Brewing.
On the back is a map of the Whitewater Region and a location of its history
The location is currently open Fridays from 4pm to 8pm, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 12pm to 8pm, and will be open daily from 12-8 from its full opening in June.
The market features products from local Mennonite communities, Wilderness Tours rafting supplies and information, and other crafts such as candles.
The interior features wood benches, a bar, and booths, often adorned with old copies of the Encyclopedia Brittanica.
“It was a creative decision by our decorator, and nothing more.” Joel Kowalski, Joe’s son and manager of the River Barn said.
Future plans include expansion of the outdoor patio area in the back to include a wedding venue, and a ‘gear-swap’ for rafters looking to sell gear outgrown by children and purchase new gear.
They also plan to host ‘specialty food nights’ with themes, often with themes related to the histories and cultures of local residents, as well as ‘fireside nights’ to have local residents tell stories and histories.
One of Joel Kowalski’s goals is to create a local farmer’s market hub that reaches beyond to the surrounding areas.
“We want to create the St. Jacobs of Whitewater..” he said, referencing a large farmer’s market that draws from all over Southern Ontario and the Toronto Region.
“The more attractions, the more restaurants, the more options, the biggest attraction.” Joe Kowalski said.
