'Support local': Winnipeg shoppers flocking to small businesses this holiday season
CBC
More Winnipeg shoppers are turning are turning to small local shops and vendors to knock items off their holiday shopping lists, local businesses say.
"There's so many great, creative, affordable, really unique products in Manitoba," said Danielle Mondor, the executive director of St. Norbert farmers' market. "It's nice to highlight the variety of products that we see."
Mondor says traffic at the market was a little busier than normal on Saturday because more people have been trying to shop locally this year.
She says part of the appeal of shopping from small businesses in the community is that shoppers know the value of the products they're buying: "[Vendors] really want to provide a really quality, fresh product to their customers."
Shoppers can also make custom orders, ask for specific packaging or buy items in bulk when shopping at one of the farmers' market's 71 vendors, Mondor says.
Kate Yarchuck, who was shopping at the market on Saturday, says it's important to support small businesses, especially during the holidays.
"It's nice to support local," she said. "I always feel better putting my money towards people in my community.
"It's a time that you can really build your community and show people that this is what you value, and this is what we care about here in Winnipeg."
Molly Menow, manager of Teekca's Boutique, which has four locations in the province, says items such as beaded earrings and moccasins are popular at this time of the year, while a sale on blankets has seen them fly off the shelves, too.
Menow says an increase in ads, posters and a greater online presence has helped expand her clientele.
"It's just been busy," Menow said. "People [are] coming in and saying this is the first time they met us or they're messaging us."
Another local owner has seen an increase in new shoppers, even after being in business for more than a decade.
Tara Davis, who owns Tara Davis Studio Boutique in the Exchange District, has been in business for 12 years, but she says first-time patrons are walking through the doors.
"I'll get a lot of people, even sort of from suburban areas, that say, 'Oh my gosh, we haven't been downtown in years,' and they love all the shops in the neighbourhood," she said on Saturday.
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