Shop Local Community Initiative: Retail

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust all of us into a strange new world - with social distancing, quarantines, Zoom video calls, homeschooling and finding so many ways to stay entertained. We're all adapting and learning, and every day presents new wins and new challenges. This has had a significant impact on the small businesses that we love and frequent in our community. The Tri-Cities has so much to offer, from restaurants to great shops, crafters to craft cocktails. We’re missing the places we go to often and are thinking about the owners of these businesses. We decided to get in touch, and spread the love. Find out how you can support local, all while maintaining safety and social distancing.

This week we're spotlighting some of our beloved small retail businesses! Help us celebrate Canvas Candle Company, White Fox Collective, Moody Essentials,

In the coming weeks we'll also be highlighting some of our favourite food, drink, services and speciality shops too, but check out all of these great local retail shops - and find out how you can support them - below.

Violet + Ruby

Violet + Ruby was started based on a love of purchasing on-trend, price friendly fashions. Started solely on Instagram, V+R quickly grew and expanded into markets, fairs, music festivals and right here on the internet. Founded by two friends who met while being forced to be desk mates at their job in 2006.

How are you and the business doing? 

I think we’re all just trying to make it work, it has been a very scary experience and I feel a lot of business owners will agree.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted?    

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, my supply of clothing from the US was halted for a few weeks, meaning my influx of spring items was basically halted, which was so hard.  I've been making it work, and my fabulous loyal customers are still placing orders!  It's been a very scary time - navigating the long term and how I'm going to be able to pay for the rental of the warehouse, how will people pick up orders, will everyone be freaked out by delivery...will Canada Post even still deliver?  And paired with the stress of working full time within two companies, and now having my eight-year-old at home with me...it's a lot to take in.

How can the community help support you during these times? 

The community can just keep shopping local!  It helps businesses like mine thrive, not to mention the economy.  If you want some adorable clothes, delivered, just log onto www.violetruby.com! 

Instagram: @violetandruby

Facebook: www.facebook.com/violetandruby

Website: www.violetruby.com

Osprey Village Soap Company

We're a husband and wife team; Leah & Rob. In April of 2016, Leah suffered from two grand-mal seizures; the worst kind of seizures there are. After countless MRI & EEG scans, trips to specialists, one of the best neurologists in the country and a multitude of tests, nothing turned up. We then decided to completely detox our bodies; together we switched to an organic, plant-based diet. We absorb nearly 100% of what we put on our skin and the "self-care" items that we use everyday are actually filled with poisonous, harmful chemicals. What's the point of eating clean if we're still consuming all of these toxins?

This prompted us to start making our own toxin-free products so that we knew exactly what was going on our bodies. It was then that we decided to share our passion for advocating safe and toxin-free self-care. That's how Osprey Village Soap Company was born. We create high-quality handcrafted skincare items that are completely toxin & chemical-free. Everything that we make is not only safe, but good for you. Our products are natural and healthy with no harmful fillers. We are thrilled to share our passion with you and can't wait to get you started on your toxin-free journey too!

How are you and the business doing?

Things are uncertain and scary right now, but we've been overwhelmed with the support and so comforted by the community who has really stepped up to support local businesses in these trying times. We are all in this together!

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted?

Since we don’t have a physical shop, (we sell through our webstore and other retail locations) we've been "lucky" enough not to have to feel the pressure of paying overhead for things like rent, etc. Since Covid-19 became an issue, we've been doing business 100% solely through shipping and free (socially distanced) local pick-up in Osprey Village. However, we've seen a dramatic drop in sales from those retail locations who have had to close, unfortunately. 

How can the community help support you during these times?

Please continue to support local as much as you can (not only us, but all small shops and local businesses in our communities). They are the ones truly hurting and feeling the brunt of this economically. Please continue to stay home and wash your hands - all of our soap bars will continue to be 30% off on our website until restrictions are lifted to promote this!

Instagram: @ospreyvillagesoapco

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ospreyvillagesoapco

Website: www.ospreyvillagesoapcompany.com

Rosemarie's Treasures

Rosemarie's Treasures has been part of Austin Heights for over 35 years.  Well known as a sweet little shop where customers relaxed, chatted and browsed hundreds of unique fashion accessories, home & garden decor, bath & body products.

How are you and the business doing? 

We’re doing ok, it has definitely been a challenge learning how to stay open and adapt, business is still struggling.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted? 

Due to concern for our customers and our own safety and a sharp drop in sales, on March 15 we closed our physical doors and began to move our store online. This was a huge challenge! Sort out and set up an online store, new payment process, pick up and delivery options, photo and post products, and then figure out how to help people find us online.

How can the community help support you during these times? 

By shopping local, our community will help to ensure that little shops like ours can remain in business. Rosemarie's Treasures offers Gift Cards online as well as so many lovely products and essentials like locally manufactured hand sanitizer. Storefront Pickup is available several days each week. Canada Post shipping to your home and we are happy to wrap gifts and ship directly with a personal message and card.

Instagram: @rosemariestreasures

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RosemariesTreasures

Website: www.rosemariestreasures.com

Ardillas United

Although Ardillas United first broke internet ground in 2014, its story has been 20 years in the making. Like all good friendships, the one between founders Kora and Karolina is grounded in their similarities. Originally from Poland, both immigrated to Canada, where they met in 1994. They soon discovered that they were both avid animal lovers, and shared an interest in music and fashion. As they grew up, they both developed a passion for wine, reality TV, and travel. Already closer than sisters, the two officially became family when Karolina married Kora's brother in 2000.

How are you and the business doing? 

We’re trying to navigate this time as best as we can. We’re trying to stay positive and are looking forward to a light at the end of this tunnel. We’re continually thinking of innovative ways to still make our product available and keep our brand out there.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted? 

All of our events with Beastie have been cancelled, impacting our revenues and therefore our cash flow. It has also become more challenging to get product, as many businesses have closed or significantly slowed down. We’ve had to pivot to other suppliers to keep products coming. Since we’ve seen an increase in home decor, as everyone is stuck at home, we’ve expanded our line to include more of that. We’ve also included local delivery on orders.

How can the community help support you during these times? 

Loving the “shop local” and “supporting local business movement”. Finding that people are really rallying to keep businesses afloat. We have lots of new designs and options to choose new home decor for furniture pieces.

Instagram: @ardillasunited

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ardillasunited

Website: www.ardillasunited.com

Moody Essentials

We have lived in Port Moody for over 20 years, and absolutely love the natural beauty of the west coast of British Columbia. We love to travel, but always appreciate coming home. With that in mind, we created luxury soaps and candles with the scents that transport us back to the places we have visited - Thailand, Australia, Central America, Egypt, Europe. Because we appreciate purity and quality, we only use certified pure essential oils in our soaps, candles, and Moody Moods aromatherapy roll-on bottles. Our products are 100% natural and contain zero harmful fragrances, additives or fillers.

How are you and the business doing? 

Market and revenues are steadily down because of the cancellation of all our events and trade shows. We are still healthy and able to meet the needs of our customers via our online store.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted? 

With the cancellation of all our trade shows and local fairs, we have had to look for new marketing tools and ways to collaborate with the community members. We have started working with other local businesses doing product exchange to reach more potential customers and bring up our brand awareness.

How can the community help support you during these times? 

Visit our website to purchase a gift card and products, support local businesses, tell your friends and family about us.

Instagram: @moodyessentials

Facebook: www.facebook.com/moodyessentials

Website: www.moodyessentials.ca

White Fox Collective

White Fox Collective carries a variety of jewellery ranging from sparkling faux druzy pieces to eco-friendly vegan leather pieces locally made in Maple Ridge, BC, Canada. Our main goal is to provide affordable jewellery made for people with sensitive skin so we make sure all of our jewellery is nickel-free. The majority of our earrings are made with stainless steel posts or hooks.

How are you and the business doing? 

I'm just taking it day by day in my personal life and also business at this point. In the beginning, I think it was a little hard with all the unknowns but now that we’ve gotten into our new routines and new “normals” both with my family and work it's becoming easier every day.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted? 

The biggest impact that COVID-19 has had on my business is adapting with balancing the needs of my almost 7-year-old son and work. Since I already worked from home it wasn’t a huge adjustment work-wise. However, I don't get the quiet 5 hours of working time every day to myself anymore especially with my husband still working full time. Another huge impact is the cancellation of all markets. Among the obvious financial loss, making connections with customers is going to be greatly missed. I am hoping in the coming weeks to figure out a way to connect with more customers online, whether it's doing live videos and or try on videos for our products.

How can the community help support you during these times? 

The community is already doing an amazing job at supporting small businesses right now. I see it all over Facebook and Instagram, people are choosing to shop small and local over big box stores and that makes me so happy. Just remember, when you buy from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance.

Instagram: @whitefoxcollective

Facebook: www.facebook.com/whitefoxcollective

Website: www.whitefoxcollective.com

Canvas Candle Company

Canvas Candle Company was founded in 2016, in Port Moody, BC. We have made it our mission to create quality, design-focused, soy candles and accessories to help you create more meaningful connections in your life. Each of our candles is handcrafted using our unique small batch process to ensure quality and consistency. We create our candles using 100% North American-grown soy wax, phthalate-free & non-toxic fragrance oils, as well as, pure essential oils, natural cotton wicks and reusable vessels.

How are you and the business doing? 

Things changed quite drastically in mid-march when all of our markets and buyers shows were cancelled for Spring. We have heavily relied on these events to get our candles out in front of people. Smell is so subjective so it’s been a struggle to not give the customers the opportunity to smell the candles before they can purchase. We have done our best to shift shopping to online, and safe no contact pick up. We have offered a 15% discount for online shopping, and made local shipping $6 flat rate, free local pick up in Coquitlam and free shipping over $75.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted? 

While COVID-19 has impacted our sales significantly, we truly believe that now is a time to lean into the community and support those who need it the most. With a portion of the proceeds that have come in through our online sales since March 15, we have been able to donate just over 100 care packages to front-line workers in our community, including; Eagle Ridge Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital and St Paul's Hospital. The packages included one of our candles, bath salts, matches and a daily positive affirmation card. The goal is to help those who are taking care of us, take care of themselves!

How can the community help support you during these times? 

We really hope that things can go back to normal soon because we miss seeing our customers face to face, but in times like these, it’s our goal to still continue connecting with local customers online. It would be so amazing to have local members of the community follow us on social media and interact with us online! We are also offering 15% for online purchases right now - a promo code can be found on our website!

Instagram: @canvascandleco

Facebook: www.facebook.com/canvascandleco

Website: www.canvascandleco.com