VINTAGE AND SECOND-HAND
Your Grandma’s Closet
This thrift store has a collection of pre-loved threads, ranging from delicate nightdresses to cozy knit sweaters. Marie Désjardins, the owner of Your Grandma’s Closet, says all of her items are “picked to make people feel good in the clothes they’re in”. She offers free delivery in Halifax, and if you’re lucky, she’ll drop off your purchase on her skateboard.
Starting on November 29, 10 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to Feed Nova Scotia on December 22.
“Giving back to the places that helped my family is such a good way to help our little Halifax community,” says Désjardins. And just on time for the holiday season!
The Loot
The Loot is a vintage store that curates thrift clothes inspired by ‘80s, ‘90s and early 2000s streetwear. They also feature artwork and crafts like cards and painted denim by local artists.
“We’re allowing one bubble at a time in the shop,” says Anna Campbell, the proprietor of The Loot, referring to the bubbles restricted to a group of people in one household.
As The Loot reassesses to accommodate new restrictions, items featured on their story are now available for purchase. They offer contactless pick-up during shop hours and free home deliveries on orders over $50 on the Halifax peninsula. Orders under $50 have a $5 delivery fee. However, for those who enjoy the store’s charm and atmosphere, in-store shopping is still available.
Honey Moon Vintage
Honey Moon Vintage is an aesthetic wonderland. From pastel knit cardigans and vintage Victoria Secret lingerie to lavender blouses and lace corsets, it’s hard not to admire the entire feed.
“I think with everyone encouraged to stay home these days, it’s nice to put something on that makes you feel good,” says Olivia MacDonald, the owner of Honey Moon Vintage.
MacDonald says she showcases overlooked vintage clothes and breathes life into them via hand-dying. Running her store on Instagram facilitates everyone’s shopping experience without the concern of COVID, since they can browse from the comfort of their homes. She offers contactless pick-ups and drop offs in the North End and has a shipping option available.
Habit
This store is a collection of lovely vintage and preloved pieces. All of the items are classy and curated to fit a warm aesthetic. Sharp blazers, strappy heels, and floral skirts are some of the most anticipated features.
“Our focus is sustainable fashion, and doing what we can for the planet,” says Lindsay McMullen, the owner of Habit.
For available clothing, check out Habit’s “For Sale” Highlight, that lists the price and size of each item. McMullen also sells locally printed tote bags that she designed to feature the Halifax skyline for $25.
Purchased items can be retrieved on weekdays via contactless pick-up in the North End.
HOME
Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia
Firmly planted at the corner of Spring Garden and Dresden at the heart of the downtown core, it’s very likely that you’ve passed Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia a few times. Although the storefront is hard to miss, those who never step inside greatly underestimate the family run business that proudly supports over 250 Canadian artisans.
“Jennifer’s is local to our core,” says Erin, daughter of Darlene and Kurt Bulger, who now own the store along with Kevin Finch. “Every single item in our shop has been lovingly handcrafted by a local Atlantic Canadian artist.”
From handcrafted cards and hand poured candles to jewelry nestled in muscle shells and wool knitted toques, you’re bound to find something for everyone this holiday season.
The shop is currently open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day. For those who’d rather shop from the comfort of their homes, Jennifer’s also has an online shop with new items updated daily. They offer curbside pickup as well as free doorstep deliveries for anyone within a 30 min drive of downtown Halifax.
Circle & Wick Candle Co.
If you’ve ever been to Dilly Dally Coffee Shop or The Tare Shop, you may have spotted these beautiful, minimalist candles. Hand poured in Halifax, these candles are made with 100 per cent soybean wax to ensure a clean and natural burn. Each candle can be enjoyed for 40 to 50 hours.
Brittany and Courtney, the two founders of Circle & Wick Candle Company, established their business in 2018. They created the original design in one of their Dartmouth homes and since they hit the streets of Halifax, their candles have been a roaring success.
These sustainable, dainty candles are $19 each or can be purchased in a bundle of three for $45 via their website.
With scents like Milk & Honey and Lavender & Sage, there’s a perfect fit for everyone. If you’re shopping for the holidays, consider their Winter Bundle that includes Pine, Candy Cane and Cinnamon & Spice. If placing a holiday order that requires shipping across Canada, orders must be placed by 12 p.m. AST on December 15. Otherwise, the last call for scheduled pick up in Halifax is 12 p.m. AST on December 19 .
Bad Mouth Soap
If you’re looking for a quirky and quality gift, Bad Mouth Soap should be your first stop. This local business sells lightly scented handmade soap. All products are made from organic and locally sourced ingredients. However, that’s only one appeal of their soaps.
The other is that Bad Mouth Soap strives to make soap based on things they love. “Whether it’s TV, movies, music, places or people, we’re inspired by the unusual and we are pleasantly surprised, we’re not the only ones.”
These soaps are guaranteed to make you laugh—or at least smile. Each one has character, especially the ones based off of pop culture, like “A Little Bit Alexis” from Schitt’s Creek and “Pontiac Bandit” from Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Some even have Easter Eggs with featured quotes so be sure to check out the back of their label.
Select items are available in stores across Halifax, such as Dilly Dally, but for more variation, look to their website.
The Tare Shop
One of the most beloved shops by students in Halifax, the Tare Shop is a coffee shop and bulk store. Founded by Kate Pepler in 2018, it’s your one-stop shop to encourage sustainable living. From coffee to groceries to beauty supplies and more, The Tare Shop provides alternatives for over-packaged food, household, and personal items. And it’s the first of its kind in Halifax!
With unique items such as beeswax wraps to replace single-use cling wrap and grease pencils for writing on glass and metal, you’re guaranteed to find something you never thought you needed. Encourage all of your friends and family to be more sustainable this holiday season by checking out their store on Cornwallis St. with no appointment needed. Or simply visit them online via their website.
BOOKSTORES + STATIONARY
Mule Mother Books
Founded in 2011, this micro-book bindery started out by exclusively making blank journals from “mostly recycled, vintage and antique materials”. Now, Mule Mother Books caters their business to all handmade books. From albums and sketchbooks to planners and recipe books, Mule Mother Books has all of your paper needs.
10 per cent of all profits are donated to local Black and Indigenous solidarity funds such as The African Nova Scotian Freedom School, Treaty Truckhouse Legal Fund, and Black Lives Matter Solidarity Fund NS.
All of their items can be shopped here on their website.
Duly Noted Stationary
Located practically on the brink of Spring Garden Rd, this business has stationary galore.
They carry over 100 local/Canadian artists and have an abundance of cards that fit every occasion you can think of. Duly Noted also has a collection of beautiful items that would make lovely holiday gifts. Items include, but certainly are not limited to face masks, embroidery kits and flower presses. If you’re looking for a classy, more expensive gift, consider their assortment of fountain pens. They carry a variety of brands such as Lamy, Kaweco and Waterman.
They even offer a “Mail a Card” service for a $2 additional fee where they’ll write, address, and mail a card for you, so you don’t have to leave your house.
Duly Noted is currently open for in-store shopping but you can also find all of your favourites on their website.
King’s Co-op Bookstore
his independent bookstore is the hardest one to find and it’s located in the heart of the King’s campus. Their website offers a “Holiday Shopping Made Easy!” category, for those who need a little help picking out the perfect gift. The bookstore has all of the titles you could possibly wish for, ranging from new and hot books like Barack Obama’s A Promised Land to books from your favourite King’s professors like Lezlie Lowe’s No Place to Go.
They also have all of your favourite King’s merchandise for sale, like our navy-blue hoodies or rugby shirts. If you want to pull that classic student holiday stunt by gifting all of your family members university merch, then this is your first and only stop.
The bookstore offers nationwide online orders and free delivery in the HRM. If you’re lucky, you might just catch a bicycle delivery.
Trident Booksellers & Café
Trident may be known for their coffee, but they’re also a used bookstore. Located down by the water on Hollis St., this bookstore has a sturdy collection of second-hand books. Titles range from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to Adam Media’s How to Overcome Shyness, so you’re guaranteed to find something to add to your holiday reading list.
If you’re looking for a certain book, but don’t want to make the trek down, simply call them up and they’ll happily look for you. They also offer free home delivery to anywhere on the Halifax peninsula on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.
FOOD
CheyCuterie is a business focused on celebrating Nova Scotia’s finest by creating charcuterie boards from locally sourced ingredients. Cheyanne, the founder of CheyCuterie, prides herself in finding “new vendors and artisans who’s little tastes of ‘down home’ find their way from my home to yours.”
The feature of the holiday? Definitely their locally crafted Hot Cocoa Board, which includes hot cocoa bombs from Michelle Ashley’s Bakery (@michelleashleysbakery) and sugar cookies from Icing Therapy (@icingtherapy).
You can order this board in two different sizes: a $40 small board for two or a $65 large family size board that serves 4-5 people.
Until December 4, 10 per cent of all sales will go to YWCA, a Halifax non-profit that “builds economic security, promotes wellness, and creates opportunities for women, girls, and their families”.
Check out Cheyanne’s website to discover all of her unique boards from SeaCuterie to Movie Night and more.
The Tea Brewery
The Tea Brewery is proudly a Nova Scotian business that crafts loose-leaf artisan teas. It’s the perfect gift for those who love just that: tea. Their selection of blends is endless and with many types to choose from, you’ll have a hard time picking just one.
Among the Tea Brewery’s many collections, their Canada Collection should well be noted. This one includes a Wild Rose Country blend with black tea, rose hips and honeysuckle petals, and its floral essence will leave you craving more.
Shop all of their blends on their website.
Warehouse Market
The Warehouse Market is located on Isleville St and is born from the collaboration of three parties.
The fresh vegetables are provided by Abundant Acres (@abundantacresns), the free-range meats by Holdanca Farms (@holdanca) and the seafood by Afishionado Fishmongers (@afishionadomonger).
When three worlds collide to bring you everything you need all in one place, you can skip the grocery store. To promote sustainability, Warehouse Market encourages customers to bring their own shopping bags and offer empty cardboard boxes for those who forget.
In-person shopping remains open during their regular hours: from 11-6 p.m. on Wednesday through to Friday, and from 9-4 p.m. on Saturday.
Challenge yourself to cover your table with 100 per cent local food for your holiday meal this season by supporting local vendors.
JEWELRY + ACCESSORIES
Rocks from My Bra
Rocks from My Bra is a Black owned holistic jewelry store with loveliest handmade jewellery.
The store’s main focus is “getting you the energy you need to take on life’s daily challenges while looking stylish,” says Niambi Tree, the owner of Rocks from My Bra.
The store features a variety of stones and healing crystals, such as rose quartz and blue kyanite, and most of the jewelry are intricately wire wrapped to hold them in place. Tree also provides a unique description for all of her jewelry and how each crystal affects the human spirit. For example, orange calcite “helps integrate the spiritual real with the physical body, enhances creativity, and is helpful with emotional issues.”
Tree also makes wire hair accessories that can be customized with stones and crystals. The length and width can also be adjusted.
You can shop her online store here but be sure to follow her Instagram account for special deals and giveaways.
Earth Goddess Shop
This jewelry store curates a selection of artisanal gemstone and healing crystal jewellery that focuses on handcrafted goods made with materials of the Earth. They have beautiful items such as rose quartz stud earrings and labradorite trio necklaces.
At the moment, the Earth Goddess Shop is taking some time to reassess with the rise of COVID cases in Halifax. For the time being, their shop is closed for the safety and wellbeing of their staff and customers. You can still find all of their jewelry online on their Etsy shop found here. The business is “even toying with the idea of private virtual shopping appointments via Facetime”.
The curb-side pick-up option is still available.
Little Linc
If you have a pet, this is the store for you. Little Linc sells the cutest handmade neckwear for dogs. Made on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, this local business makes everything from bandanas to bowties for dogs. They also make scrunchies for humans so that you can have a matching set with your pet.
To shop online, check out their website, which is now featuring their official Holiday 2020 Collection.