Question: How are you supporting other local businesses? 

Answer: Our business only stocks locally produced artisan products. We support about 70 local producers. Our gift gallery shows and sells the work of over 50 local artisans work, along some vintage and found items. Among our many local suppliers, we carry FAT Paint, a locally made chalk style paint great for refinishing furniture and any of your art projects. We also carry several artisan food and drinks including Simply Delish Soup and Salad and Mixers and Elixirs Shrub drink. We buy almost all of other products from local companies – like thrift shops and Essential Packaging. Some of the technology we use can’t be purchased in Canada. We also use almost entirely local suppliers – 95% of our services are from B.C.-based companies, from our accounting, banking, construction, consulting​, to our employee benefits and more. It’s all spending that that recirculates in the community and supports the local economy.

Question: What social and environmental practices are you proud of?

Answer: We offer art and craft classes for children and adults available in our small studio class room. We are committed to engaging our customers in self-expression and self-improvement through art. We develop fun and engaging art education programs to further this goal. In terms of environmental practices, we up-cycle various goods and use recycled materials for use in artwork. We work with the community on many projects, art classes, free crafting demos and art installations at the Burnaby North Neighborhood House, Free Crafting activities with Deer Lake Art Gallery events. Community Art events and inclusive classes with Blind Beginnings that support children and families with visual impairments. We also make regular donations of time, supplies, teaching and demonstrations to good causes. We donate 12 free classes for groups of 4 to schools and non-profits each year for their fund raising events.