New Shared Store Aims to Boost Local Businesses in London

The owners of a new boutique shop launching in a London shopping mall say they want to help small businesses connect with customers throughout the year.

The Local, which will open on Nov. 15 at White Oaks Mall, will feature products from over 80 Ontario-based artists and makers all under one roof.

“Nowadays, it’s really hard to find a product where you actually support locals,” said Lorenz Manaig, who co-owns the shop with his wife.

“What we’re doing here in The Local is bringing together a group of vendors [so] customers can come in and support local businesses around their area.”

Manaig noted that even though the world is becoming more digital, artists are finding it tough to sell their products online.

“On those platforms, it’s really hard to get traction … If you [sell] in our store, you can benefit from the busy foot traffic of a mall like White Oaks,” he explained, adding that ongoing Canada Post strikes and changes to duty-free U. S. shipping have also made it harder for makers to reach their customers.

Lorenz Manaig is the co-founder of The Local, a new store set to open Nov. 15 at White Oaks Mall in London, Ont., where customers can purchase products made entirely by local Ontario vendors. (Kendra Seguin/)

The Local’s vendors, about half of whom are from London, spent the weekend arranging their shelf displays by putting up signs, laying out business cards and figuring out how best to organize their products.

“This is a new store and this mall has good traffic, so we thought this could be a good opportunity for us,” said vendor Tammi Chen, who co-owns independent game and art studio Tata Games.

Chen shared that she and her business partner Annis Li have been selling their buttons, stickers and art prints at local pop-up markets and comic conventions for the past year but realize it’s not sustainable long-term.

“Only selling at pop-up markets is not good enough for us, and people keep asking where they can find us,” she said. “That’s why we want to do this in-person.”

A Hub for Local Goods

The idea of brick-and-mortar shops dedicated solely to small artists has been growing across Canada, with stores like Artist Alley Shop opening in Toronto and Montreal.

The Local marks the Manaig family’s second venture under this model, launching just five months after their first Port Stanley Gift Shop opened its doors.

Terrie Jarvis and her husband have been selling custom wood products out of Port Stanley since it opened and will now be showcasing their goods at the London location as well.

Terrie Jarvis is the vendor manager at The Local in London, Ont. She spent the weekend starting to set up the display for her business, Tenera Design Co. (Kendra Seguin/)

“We weren’t quite sure if it was actually going to be busy enough [but] it was amazing throughout the summer,” said Jarvis, who will also serve as vendor manager at the London store.

“I think it makes all the difference to be able to view something in-person instead of online. [Customers] can really decide if ‘Is this exactly the quality I’m looking for [or] the colour I’m looking for?’”</P

Chen mentioned that initially she wasn’t sure if White Oaks Mall would be an ideal spot for her product; therefore she took some time analyzing its customer base before applying as a vendor.</P

“Weekdays aren’t as crowded but on weekends-especially during holidays-the mall still gets busy,” she observed.</P

Manaig agreed: “From my view, the mall is back,” he said.</P

Sellers Keep All Their Earnings

All vendors at The Local had to apply before being accepted into the store; Manaig emphasized that he carefully reviewed each maker’s work ensuring it’s truly handmade and local.
</PThe Local is set to open at White Oaks Mall in London, on. t., on Nov. 15.(Kendra Seguin/)<P<Approved vendors rent shelf space from The Local starting around $250 monthly with prices increasing based on shelf size. Once their items are displayed in-store, the profits they earn belong entirelyto them.
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“Our beliefisif you believein your product, we are hereforyou. Wewanttosupportyouandwewanttohelpyourbusinessgrow,”Manaig stated.
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The first collection availableat The Localwillinclude jewelry, paper goods, candles, s skincare, chocolate, andtea, but Manaigsuggestedthatthiscouldchangeasnewvendorsjoinandothersleave.

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