As a small business ourselves, we find so much joy in supporting other local small businesses in Calgary. You may be familiar with The Mercantile, a local makers market hosted by the Apothecary during the summer. Here you will find local makers, bakers, growers and artisans who share the same values and mindful practices towards sustainability, representation/preservation of the natural world, community support and inclusivity.
If you have been in the shoppe lately, you may have noticed the section that we have set up so that our wonderful local vendors can be showcased all year long, and we can continue to help support and grow other small businesses. We wanted to highlight a few of our local vendors for you so that you can keep your eyes peeled for their products next time you're in the shoppe. You may recognize some of the vendors from last summer's market!
The General Bean, a small family owned business, crafts beautiful sustainable wool products such as dryer balls, car diffuser clips, reusable bags, hankies, ornaments, tea towels and even DIY kits. They source their fibres from a mill just outside of YYC, using a merino yarn for knit-wear and durable wool for felting kits & needle-felted products. The General Bean also runs fun and educational workshops with us throughout the year, so you can sign up and learn some new felting and natural dyeing skills.
Lone Larch Pottery is another lovely local vendor that we adore having on our shelves! Andra Bagshaw is the talent behind these gorgeous pieces. She produces practical art for everyday use in homes, work spaces and more, from her home studio in Calgary. An amazing feature on top of the beautiful artistry is that each piece is food, dishwasher, oven AND microwave safe.
Localite is another crowd-pleaser, crafting mouth-watering preserves that are prepared in small batches by hand in Alberta. Vegetables and fruits are sourced from trusted Alberta and B.C. farmers, while also supporting hard-working, trusted international friends who can supply them with produce that cannot be grown in this climate. With pickles, carrots, beans, beets, onions, eggs and relish, these preserves are a must-try. These products will have you reminiscing about a time when each family had a garden and special care was given to ensure a harvest that provided food security for the winter.
We are so honoured to be able to showcase so many unique and creative local artisans in store all while supporting local small businesses. Keep your eyes peeled for some stunning pottery, delicious ferments, and hand-crafted home goods. Do you have a favourite local artisan that you would like to see on our shelves? DM us on Instagram with your suggestion for a chance to win a $25 Apothecary gift card!