Julia's Landing - The Story Behind The Name

When we set out to create our vacation retreat, there was never a doubt in our minds what it should be called. Naming it after my late grandmother, Julia Smart, was the most natural and meaningful decision. She embodied the warmth, kindness, and generosity that make Newfoundland so special, and it is our hope that every guest who stays here will feel a touch of that same spirit. Julia could often be seen from the deck, watching my grandfather return from a fishing trip, engaging with those about their day's catch, and insisting that people come inside for a visit. She had a way of making everyone feel welcome, turning a simple conversation into a cherished memory.​

Julia was the kind of person who made strangers feel like old friends in an instant. Her hospitality was effortless and sincere, as illustrated so beautifully in the below Downhome Magazine article shared by a visitor who once crossed her path. While cod fishing in Herring Neck, he and a friend were given permission to use a local stage to clean their catch. Before long, Julia appeared, offering a cup of tea from her deck. When they hesitated, she was back again—this time with a warm insistence that they come inside. What awaited them was more than just tea—it was a full breakfast, complete with eggs, bologna (Newfie steak as we call it...Lol), and homemade bread, all served to the sound of traditional Newfoundland music playing in the background.​

What made this moment so special was that only minutes before, the man had been a complete stranger. But that was Julia—she didn’t just open her door, she opened her heart. Her kindness was not reserved for family and friends alone but extended to anyone who happened to cross her path.

​Her husband, my grandfather Roland Smart, was no different. He was an incredibly generous man, always offering to take people out fishing and making them feel welcome in his home. He had a deep love for the sea and an even deeper love for sharing it with others. Whether it was guiding someone on a fishing trip or simply extending a friendly conversation on the wharf, Roland’s kindness and generosity left an impression on everyone who met him.

​That is the kind of hospitality we want to carry forward. Our retreat is more than just a place to stay—it’s a tribute to Julia and Roland’s legacy of warmth, generosity, and making people feel at home. We hope that everyone who visits experiences a piece of the Newfoundland spirit they so effortlessly embodied. May this home be a place where strangers become friends, where stories are shared over a cup of tea, and where Julia and Roland’s memory continues to live on in the hearts of all who pass through its doors.

Rest in peace, Nan and Pop. This one’s for you.