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Talking Shop

Supporting small businesses in Victoria and beyond. #shoplocal

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Fashion

In Conversation with Erin // Reunion

"Even after 30 years of experience, it's hard to predict what is going to sell. Once we find a line that fits well and is good value for the price,…

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June 24, 2020
Fashion

In Conversation with Deanna & Courtney // MONA Consignment

"I am so grateful to every single person who walks in our door, whether they are here to shop or consign! I find the hardest thing is to say no.…

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February 17, 2021
Food

In Conversation with Isaiah // Whistle Buoy Brewing

"The main difference between us and a lot of other craft breweries is experimentation. We try a lot of new things, and are usually releasing a new recipe every week.…

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February 10, 2021
  • A woman sits on a stool in her yoga studio
    Lifestyle

    In Conversation with Melissa // Quantum Yoga Club

    July 26, 2021 /

    "I truly believe that Victoria has a big enough pie that all studios can have a piece. If you want to open a yoga studio, I would suggest that you find your niche. What separates you from the other well-established studios? What is your studio’s vibe and culture going to be? Who are you going to realize this vision with? Although it can seem like a luxurious career — and trust me it’s super sweet — it’s also a lot of work, a ton of admin, and time management."

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    A shopkeeper sits in her store window.

    In Conversation with Stef // Lore General Store

    July 1, 2020

    Checking In with Khloe, Iain & Talia // Amelia Lee, Shopify & Love Medals

    August 30, 2020
    A shopowner stands outside her shop doors.

    In Conversation with Stephanie // Open House

    June 21, 2020
  • A couple stands in front of their candy shelf.
    Food

    In Conversation with Keith & Jenn // Oh Sugar Candy Shop

    April 14, 2021 /

    "Our inspiration comes from all our candy favorites from childhood. We are delighted when our customers get excited about something cool that we carry in the shop or when they say they haven't seen something since they were a kid!"

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    In Conversation with Ariel & Jess // Iyé Creative

    July 12, 2020
    Nina, co-owner of Whistle Buoy Brewing in Victoria, BC, serves up two glasses of beer.

    In Conversation with Isaiah // Whistle Buoy Brewing

    February 10, 2021
    A shopkeeper sits in her store window.

    In Conversation with Stef // Lore General Store

    July 1, 2020
  • A woman stands outside a cafe in Victoria, BC.
    Food

    In Conversation with Hayley // Nourish Kitchen & Café

    March 31, 2021 /

    "Nourish is, at its very core, a creative expression and celebration of the cycles of the seasons and the edible bounty produced. I never set out to create a restaurant — it was simply the manifestation of what I knew and the way I could contribute my beliefs. There are so many more dreams I have for the company and more ways in which I wish to support our community in being well-fed with foods that in turn nourish our worlds."

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    A mosaic of storefronts with paper on the windows during COVID-19 lockdown.

    COMING (very) SOON!

    May 11, 2020

    In Conversation with Jeanette // Tout de Sweet

    September 23, 2020

    Shops Are Re-opening!

    May 15, 2020
  • A woman stands in front of her wares in an art shop.
    Art + Design,  Lifestyle

    In Conversation with Jill // Side Street Studio

    March 24, 2021 /

    "Side Street Studio has represented almost 600 artists in 37 years. All the artists are from British Columbia, primarily Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver. It is hard to summarize so many amazing personalities and their work, but you can feel it in the store. As every piece is handmade, it reflects the heart of the artist that made it."

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    In Conversation with Alison & Darian // Noanoko

    July 15, 2020
    A woman poses in her shop in Victoria, BC.

    In Conversation with Katrina // Market Collective

    March 10, 2021

    In Conversation with Nicole, Alex & Audra // Thorn & Thistle

    September 30, 2020
  • Owners of an Indigenous art gallery in Victoria, BC.
    Art + Design

    In Conversation with Mark & Mary // Alcheringa Gallery

    March 17, 2021 /

    "What guides our choices is putting our artists and their communities first. We believe our business is built on respect and care for indigenous culture and all of our choices are made with this in mind. As non-indigenous directors of an indigenous gallery, our goal is to uphold indigenous rights always, and to promote and support the artists in every way possible. This means listening and responding and working closely at all times. This also means operating our business the right way, including inviting elders for openings and special events, as well as always recognizing traditional territories and being constantly grateful to represent indigenous culture."

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    A woman stands in front of her wares in an art shop.

    In Conversation with Jill // Side Street Studio

    March 24, 2021

    Checking In with Khloe, Iain & Talia // Amelia Lee, Shopify & Love Medals

    August 30, 2020

    In Conversation with Bianca // Biophilia

    July 26, 2020
  • A woman poses in her shop in Victoria, BC.
    Art + Design,  Lifestyle

    In Conversation with Katrina // Market Collective

    March 10, 2021 /

    "Be vigilant about what really matters. Remember to ask yourself: what is the heart of what you are doing in your business? Is it just about money … or does it have a deeper meaning and intention behind it, whether that be supporting local artists or simply providing something of beauty, however that may be defined? A business with heart is what our community needs. The village is what matters in the end."

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    In Conversation with Nicole, Alex & Audra // Thorn & Thistle

    September 30, 2020

    In Conversation with Alison & Darian // Noanoko

    July 15, 2020

    Checking In with Khloe, Iain & Talia // Amelia Lee, Shopify & Love Medals

    August 30, 2020
  • The owner of a barre studio stands and smiles at her desk in Victoria, BC.
    Lifestyle

    In Conversation with Katharine // barreMADE

    March 3, 2021 /

    "Be prepared to work harder than you can imagine and accept that the unexpected can and will happen. At times, it will be a roller coaster ride. Through it all, don’t lose focus on why you are pursuing this. There will be days you want to give up, but focus on the positive, turn to your support people and be willing to adapt. Things may not work out at first, but instead of giving up, try again. Keep going. There is nothing more rewarding than pursuing your passion."

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    Checking In with Khloe, Iain & Talia // Amelia Lee, Shopify & Love Medals

    August 30, 2020

    In Conversation with Nicole, Alex & Audra // Thorn & Thistle

    September 30, 2020
    A mosaic of storefronts with paper on the windows during COVID-19 lockdown.

    COMING (very) SOON!

    May 11, 2020
  • The restaurant owner at Chorizo & Co in Victoria BC.
    Food

    In Conversation with Stephen // Chorizo & Co.

    February 24, 2021 /

    "Being relatively new to this as owners, we have been absolutely blown away by the way the community of small businesses has come together to support each other during this pandemic. We are truly grateful for the culture of supporting local that has been prevalent in our city since far before the pandemic."

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    You May Also Like

    In Conversation with Susannah // Ruth & Dean

    November 29, 2020

    In Conversation with Ariel & Jess // Iyé Creative

    July 12, 2020
    A shopkeeper sits in her store window.

    In Conversation with Stef // Lore General Store

    July 1, 2020
  • The owners of a consignment shop in Victoria, BC.
    Fashion

    In Conversation with Deanna & Courtney // MONA Consignment

    February 17, 2021 /

    "I am so grateful to every single person who walks in our door, whether they are here to shop or consign! I find the hardest thing is to say no. We are a small store so we can’t accept everything that comes in, but we never want to offend anyone. We wish we could take it all!"

    read more

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    In Conversation with Aleisha // Footloose Shoes

    January 10, 2021
    A shopowner leans on the doors at the front of her store.,

    In Conversation with Alexa // A La Mode Consignment

    June 28, 2020
    A mosaic of storefronts with paper on the windows during COVID-19 lockdown.

    COMING (very) SOON!

    May 11, 2020
  • Nina, co-owner of Whistle Buoy Brewing in Victoria, BC, serves up two glasses of beer.
    Food

    In Conversation with Isaiah // Whistle Buoy Brewing

    February 10, 2021 /

    "The main difference between us and a lot of other craft breweries is experimentation. We try a lot of new things, and are usually releasing a new recipe every week. This takes a lot of planning and effort, but it's what makes our work a really fun challenge. The fact that we aren't distributing to liquor stores makes it a lot easier to try one-offs and just see what happens. We also do our best to avoid rushing our beers, which usually results in a fairly balanced end product. At the end of the day, there are a ton of great breweries in BC and around the world that have…

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    You May Also Like

    In Conversation with Jeanette // Tout de Sweet

    September 23, 2020

    In Conversation with Ariel & Jess // Iyé Creative

    July 12, 2020
    A couple stands in front of their candy shelf.

    In Conversation with Keith & Jenn // Oh Sugar Candy Shop

    April 14, 2021
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