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Supporting small businesses in Victoria and beyond. #shoplocal

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Food

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

"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…

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April 14, 2021
Beauty

In Conversation with Ila // Barber and Fritz

"I've always been rebellious and creative — I was a wild teenager! I moved out of my home at a very young age and I knew I needed to find…

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July 5, 2020
Art + Design, Fashion

In Conversation with Talia // Love Medals

"Be open to what makes sense. If you need to adjust and shift gears, do it, and if you can find a way to be excited about it, even better.…

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July 22, 2020
  • A woman smiles behind the counter of her shop at Merchant Quarters General Store in Victoria, BC.
    Fashion,  Lifestyle

    In Conversation with Sandy, Cathy & Karen // Merchant Quarters General Store

    February 3, 2021 /

    "Really we haven't had too many surprises . . . oh wait, there was one: our store's grand opening was March 12 [2020] and we had to close on March 18. We joke that we now hold the world record for the single biggest retail failure in history — shuttered after 6 days! So . . . you run with it. Rely on key staff, communicate about what is going on a lot, stay positive and go after whatever opportunities you can think of."

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    Shop owner stands in front of the papered windows of her store in Victoria, BC.

    In Conversation with Erin // Reunion

    June 24, 2020
    A woman stands and smiles in her sewing shop called The Makehouse in Victoria, BC.

    In Conversation with Jenny // The Makehouse

    January 27, 2021
    Woman sitting on a cushion on the floor.

    In Conversation with Rebecca // Hughes Clothing

    May 31, 2020
  • A woman stands and smiles in her sewing shop called The Makehouse in Victoria, BC.
    Fashion

    In Conversation with Jenny // The Makehouse

    January 27, 2021 /

    "The Makehouse is not just a shop. It's a place where magic and learning happens. We don't just sell sewing supplies, we are mentors that can help with whatever stage you're at on your sewing journey. Some people come in just for ideas, others need more hand-holding to plan their first project. We are also sewing cheerleaders. In case you don't think you can do it — we know you can!"

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    In Conversation with Nicole & James // Mango’s Boutique

    July 8, 2020

    In Conversation with Margot // Verve Fashion

    August 9, 2020

    In Conversation with Aleisha // Footloose Shoes

    January 10, 2021
  • Melodie, the owner of Elate Cosmetics in Victoria, BC.
    Beauty

    In Conversation with Melodie // Elate Cosmetics

    January 20, 2021 /

    "My strategy from day one has been to build a safe space. A community where people feel like they belong, with the mandate that beauty is for everyone. We have always used what we call 'role models' in our campaigns, humans that you would maybe have never seen in a makeup photo shoot before because of the preconceived notion of who beauty is for. The other thing that makes us stand out online is our honesty. We are always very forthcoming with info about our successes and failures, and we ask our community to shape the future of our company."

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    A shopkeeper sits in her store window.

    In Conversation with Stef // Lore General Store

    July 1, 2020

    In Conversation with Ila // Barber and Fritz

    July 5, 2020

    Shops Are Re-opening!

    May 15, 2020
  • The owner of Tulipe Noire, a clothing store in Victoria, BC, stands inside her shop.
    Fashion

    In Conversation with Kari // Tulipe Noire Clothing

    January 13, 2021 /

    "I have always been a lover of art. My late mother was an artist and through her I met many wonderful artists and was raised to appreciate the arts in general. I minored in Art History and I have an astute appreciation for how important art is in our culture. I intend to continue to represent artists in my store. I think it adds something very special to the environment and helps the artists themselves."

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    In Conversation with Khloe // Amelia Lee Boutique

    July 19, 2020

    In Conversation with Mackenzie // Upcycle Clothing Collective

    August 19, 2020
    A woman smiles behind the counter of her shop at Merchant Quarters General Store in Victoria, BC.

    In Conversation with Sandy, Cathy & Karen // Merchant Quarters General Store

    February 3, 2021
  • Fashion

    In Conversation with Aleisha // Footloose Shoes

    January 10, 2021 /

    "I would say running your shop is twice as much work as you would ever expect. You have to think of so many things that you wouldn't imagine. Like who cleans the bathroom? Making sure you always have tape — it’s the little things! But owning a shop is hard work and takes a lot of time and commitment, so be prepared to give up a lot of personal time for the business. In the end, if you love it, it can be worth it, but it's a tougher go with so much online ... and now with Covid, it can really be challenging."

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    In Conversation with Nicole & James // Mango’s Boutique

    July 8, 2020
    Shopowner sits in her shop.

    In Conversation with Lara // Frances Grey

    June 14, 2020
    A woman stands and smiles in her sewing shop called The Makehouse in Victoria, BC.

    In Conversation with Jenny // The Makehouse

    January 27, 2021
  • Beauty

    In Conversation with Jordan // Lucky Cat Barber Collective

    January 6, 2021 /

    "All I wanted to do was be wild and free with the clipper. I wanted to do weird asymmetrical styles that involved breaking the rules, and so after working in a salon for a while, I took the leap and applied at Victory Barber, where I grew into the barber I am today. It was the push I needed to be able to explore every new angle with my scissors and clippers. "

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    In Conversation with Ila // Barber and Fritz

    July 5, 2020
    A shopkeeper sits in her store window.

    In Conversation with Stef // Lore General Store

    July 1, 2020
    Melodie, the owner of Elate Cosmetics in Victoria, BC.

    In Conversation with Melodie // Elate Cosmetics

    January 20, 2021
  • Community

    Support Local Giveaway — Official Rules

    December 6, 2020 /

    Official rules for the Support Local Giveaway.

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    In Conversation with Ariel & Jess // Iyé Creative

    July 12, 2020
    Man sitting on pathway in front of a building surrounded by trees.

    In Conversation with Iain // Shopify

    June 11, 2020

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

    August 30, 2020
  • Food

    In Conversation with Susannah // Ruth & Dean

    November 29, 2020 /

    "As ever, in business, being flexible, adaptable, and remaining calm, have served Ruth & Dean best. We restrategize frequently to adjust to the shifting landscape and expectations of our customers. We throw out goals all the time these days and start fresh with a new plan of attack. I also consistently adjust my idea of what success looks like. In this climate and for today, success is surviving and preserving as many jobs as possible." - Susannah

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    The restaurant owner at Chorizo & Co in Victoria BC.

    In Conversation with Stephen // Chorizo & Co.

    February 24, 2021
    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
  • Fashion

    In Conversation with Kasia // Duchess & Duke

    October 25, 2020 /

    "More than ever before, running a business is a moving target so be willing to change. Things aren’t always going to look and feel the way you wish they would and that’s ok. If you stay flexible and adjust your expectations then you’ll see that there are still a lot of wonderful things happening in these dark times. Now more than ever before, we need to come together as a community and support each other, so reach out — we're here for you!"

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    A woman smiles behind the counter of her shop at Merchant Quarters General Store in Victoria, BC.

    In Conversation with Sandy, Cathy & Karen // Merchant Quarters General Store

    February 3, 2021
    The owners of a consignment shop in Victoria, BC.

    In Conversation with Deanna & Courtney // MONA Consignment

    February 17, 2021

    In Conversation with Natalie // Pom Pom Boutique

    July 29, 2020
  • Art + Design,  Lifestyle

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

    September 30, 2020 /

    "We hope to gain greater perspective. For some this has meant the end of an era, and for others, the beginning. We believe it’s so important to always give others whatever support you can, financial, emotional or otherwise. Everyone is doing their best, and you never know the whole story. In terms of growth, we want just that: to continue expanding our business while remaining who we are."

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    You May Also Like

    In Conversation with Alison & Darian // Noanoko

    July 15, 2020
    A woman stands in front of her wares in an art shop.

    In Conversation with Jill // Side Street Studio

    March 24, 2021

    In Conversation with Talia // Love Medals

    July 22, 2020
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