Words Jesse Holth
With winter holidays just around the corner, it’s a great time to remind ourselves why it is so important to shop local. We love supporting business owners in our community, finding unique treasures, and lowering our environmental impact. Here are some hidden gems around the Saanich Peninsula that you can support while doing your holiday shopping.
The Shop
It can be easy to miss – tucked away as it is off the main drag of Beacon Avenue. This cute little shop has a little bit of everything: tote bags, vintage furniture, local arts and crafts, tea towels, cozy winter accessories, refinished and upcycled goods, local ceramics and pottery, wooden antiques, paintings and coasters, just to name a few of its offerings. The beautifully curated selection changes often, so you’ll always find new things to covet. This one-of-a-kind shop is full of hidden treasures, with a friendly proprietor and amazing prices – often less than $10. Owner Katherine Margetts opened the shop as a way to honour her sister and mother, who both passed away a few years ago. With new, vintage, reused and revived items, and showcasing local artists, The Shop has a wide variety on offer, meaning you’re sure to find the right gift for that special someone. You can find them on Facebook @keekeekreative or stop by in person at 9719 First Street in Sidney.
Spruce Clothing & Lifestyle
Another great spot on the Peninsula, this shop in Brentwood Bay offers unique local products with a sustainable focus. With a West Coast vibe, it’s the perfect stop to grab a gift or two, a bite to eat, and some coffee. Warm and welcoming staff, a curated thrift section, and goods by local artists make this a popular spot to shop or just hang out. High quality with good prices, products range from soaps, skincare and candles to toques, mugs, beach towels, cards and prints – all with a focus on nature, environment, and sustainability. Spruce Clothing & Lifestyle is passionate about community engagement and a minimalist lifestyle that reduces consumer waste and lowers our overall footprint. You can visit www.sprucebabe.com
or find them at 828 Verdier Avenue.
The Smart Bookshop
Used bookstores are fantastic – it can feel like digging for hidden treasure among a great library of paperbacks and hardcovers. The Smart Bookshop has a wide selection, friendly staff, and quality used books. It is well organized, to help you find exactly what you’re looking for, and the books are reasonably priced. There is also a high turnover, so you can find new books every time you go! If you have gently-used books of your own that need a new home, you can bring them into the shop for a credit on future purchases. Whether you’re searching for that perfect book, or look forward to finding new authors and books you haven’t encountered before, this is a great option. They are located in Royal Oak at #105 – 4430 West Saanich Road.
Nomi Designs
If you are looking for high-quality, locally-made fashion, Nomi Designs is the perfect place to find it. With sustainable and ethical design at the forefront, Nomi Designs offers gorgeous linen clothing that is both stylish and comfortable. Their made-to-order garments are the epitome of slow fashion, created right here on the Island. The minimalist and timeless styles use linen, which is made to last and requires far fewer resources to grow than alternatives like cotton – linen is also breathable, comfortable, durable and softens beautifully, with natural antimicrobial properties. In addition, the zero-waste designs ensure that all leftover linen fabric is repurposed into accessories like hats, scrunchies and bags, along with donations to local schools and artists. The goal is to foster creativity in the community and promote sustainability. Visit the website (www.nomidesigns.net) to make an appointment at the studio at 4924 Prospect Lake Road.
