Talking Shop – Page 2 of 5 – Supporting small businesses in Victoria and beyond. #shoplocal

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

February 3, 2021

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

"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…

Fashion

In Conversation with Jenny // The Makehouse

January 27, 2021

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

"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!"…

Beauty

In Conversation with Melodie // Elate Cosmetics

January 20, 2021

Melodie, the owner of Elate Cosmetics in Victoria, BC.

"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…

Fashion

In Conversation with Kari // Tulipe Noire Clothing

January 13, 2021

The owner of Tulipe Noire, a clothing store in Victoria, BC, stands inside her shop.

"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."…

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,…

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. "…

Community

Support Local Giveaway — Official Rules

December 6, 2020

Official rules for the Support Local Giveaway.…

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…

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…

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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Local shops and small businesses offer our cities a rich cultural mosaic — they give our streets energy and vitality, bringing people out to browse and connect. This project brings a human face to the storefronts you pass by every day, a lens into the humans who scour the world to bring a variety of goods to share with you, right in your hometown.

Right now, the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening to shutter our most-beloved shops, the places that keep our downtown cores vibrant. We hope you enjoy reading the owners' stories and become an advocate for shopping local, to support those who work hard to bring you diversity and unique goods and services. After all, we don't want our shopping choices to be limited to solely big-box corps and intangible online offerings … and it’s up to all of us as a community to prevent this very possible scenario from becoming a reality.

Visit our "About" page to know more about the people and the idea behind Talking Shop.

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