Many businesses in Downtown Owen Sound have changed the way they offer their products and services during COVID-19. These small businesses are more than just a sign attached to bricks and mortar. They are your friends and they are your neighbours.
Belonging to a tight knight community is all about knowing your neighbours, so take a few minutes to learn a little about how some of your local small businesses owners, friends and neighbours have changed the way they do business during COVID-19.
| Becker Shoes |
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Open Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-6:00pm & Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm. THE ELEVATOR PITCH: Becker Shoes is the longest operating family-owned Canadian shoe retailer still in operation. We offer the latest styles for the most trend-conscious individuals from over 100 of the most popular brands. Shop online and enjoy FREE shipping on orders over $60 or visit us in-store for a professional shoe-fitting.
THE PLEA:
Year-round, Becker Shoes is your family's source for the latest women's, men's and children's styles for every season, lifestyle and occasion. We encourage you to shop with us in-store, where we have made the necessary adjustments to ensure the health and safety of our staff and customers, but you can also shop our entire selection online at beckershoes.com.
THE CLOSE:
Unlike the big box stores, Becker Shoes is one of the few footwear retailers around today who still offers a custom, professional shoe-fitting service. In every Becker Shoes store, you will find knowledgeable staff who are certified Pro-Care Fit Specialists trained in foot assessment and who are dedicated to offering you a "fit first" shopping experience. At Becker Shoes, our commitment to quality and service walks with you. |
| D.C. Taylor Jewellers |
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Open for Pick-up and drop-off. Monday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm
THE ELEVATOR PITCH: D.C. Taylor Jewellers is a 5th generation family business celebrating our 125th anniversary in 2020. Known throughout the region for Certified Canadian Diamonds, one-of-a-kind estate jewellery, exciting designer brands and prestigious Swiss timepieces, DC Taylor Jewellers is ready to help you be the hero in a beautiful story.
THE PLEA: We have a huge selection of elegant jewellery for sale as well as Gift Certificates on sale at 20% OFF. We have been working very hard to get our inventory available on our website; anything labeled “in stock” is ready to be gift wrapped and delivered. Check out our Gift Ideas for some inspiration. Purchases can be made directly through the website and we are offering FREE delivery on orders over $200.00 as well as FREE doorstep delivery for Owen Sound, Collingwood and Barrie residents regardless of value. Curbside pick up is also available.
THE CLOSE: D.C. Taylor Jewellers is a pillar in our community and is the OLDEST family owned jewellery store in Canada! We have continuously been involved in charities and fundraisers throughout our 125 years in business. We are proud to be a sponsor of just about every event Owen Sound offers and we firmly believe that our community will overcome these challenging times. |
| Riverside Yarns |
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Owners Josette and Cathy Open Tuesday - Saturday, 12:00pm - 5:00pm. THE ELEVATOR PITCH: Riverside Yarns offers everything knitters and crocheters need to create one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories and home decor. We help beginners cast on their first projects, and support experienced crafters through complicated patterns and designs.
THE PLEA:
We have a full selection of yarns and tools for knitting and crochet to fit any budget. Our webstore at riversideyarns.ca is open 24/7. If you have any questions or special requests we’re available through email at cathy@riversideyarns.ca and josette@riversideyarns.ca. Not online? Give us a call at 519-371-4311. Our store hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 12 PM to 5 PM.
THE CLOSE:
Hand crafters are giving people. They’re always making something for a friend, a sibling or a child. They are also creating to support their community. Today it’s knitted mask extenders, last year it was woollen hats that were distributed to those in need locally. There’s a group that knits clothes for premature babies, and the knitters who support the “Knitted Knockers” program. We are pleased to provide these groups with a place to gather and work together on these worthwhile projects as well as the materials they need. |
| The Rocking Horse |
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Owners Deb and Dianne Open Tuesday - Saturday, 8:00am-4:00pm
THE ELEVATOR PITCH:
Family store, where fun and learning come together. Toys, board games, science kits and gifts to spark curiosity, imagination and begin a journey of discovery for children & families! The Rocking Horse is a store where we build relationships with your family! A place for “thinking minds” and families to come together. Local leader in bringing the latest selection of children's gifts to the region!
THE PLEA: Call us. Private message us on Facebook or Instagram. Visit our online store at www.therockinghorse.ca. Time to get your family having fun together again!? Call us…..we will make that happen!
THE CLOSE: The Rocking Horse has a long history of community involvement, sponsoring events, donating merchandise to hundreds of fundraisers, a multi decade sponsor of Owen Sound Minor Soccer. Loonies for Literacy fundraisers, monthly school fundraisers, along with the owners both being very involved as volunteers in many organizations over decades of business in Owen Sound. Supporting us supports our community and makes us all stronger! We appreciate your support! |
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Naturally Inspired - Herbal wellness Centre |
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Owner Sheryl Irons Open Tuesday-Thursday, 11:00am-4:00pm; Friday 12:00pm-4:00pm; Saturday 11:00am-2:00pm THE ELEVATOR PITCH: Are you interested in learning about Chakras? What is smudging? Do crystals really work? Are there natural products that can help me achieve better health? Naturally Inspired – Herbal Wellness Centre offers products that can aid you in your quest for better physical, mental or spiritual health. This is your “go to” place for guidance and answered questions as you seek a greater understanding of yourself and how to live your best life.
WHAT WE OFFER: Metaphysical Products, Healing Crystals and Jewelry, Crystals and Gems, Smudges, Bulk Herbs, Herbal Formulas, Tinctures, Books, Candles. Private Herbal Consultations available. Health and Wellness Coaching, Chakra Balancing, Crystals Healing Sessions also available.
OUR VIEW: I believe we need to support our local small businesses, because the owners actually “care” about the community. We have thought long and hard about the challenges of offering our services to the public, knowing the long hours and hard work involved, but choose to open our businesses, because we truly do feel we are offering a much needed and desired service to our friends and neighbours. Many of us have spent several years educating ourselves in our chosen fields and happily offer advice and recommendations. |
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Heartwood Home |
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Owner Joanna Bottrell
THE ELEVATOR PITCH:
Heartwood Home is a place to find unique and unusual things. Stuff you can’t find anywhere else. From big furniture things to little ‘gifty’ things. We sell antiques purchased at auctions, locally made furniture and crafts and unusual/ hard to find plants as well as pots to plant them in. THE PLEA:
If you need a little pick me up….say a new plant to spruce up your home, a Fenwick candle to make it smell good or a piece of furniture for your new home office, I can be contacted by email at hrtwdhome@gmail.com. We can start a dialogue via email with photos. You can also watch for Facebook and Instagram posts. Purchases can be picked up curbside. Local delivery is also an option. THE CLOSE:
I sell upcycled furniture on consignment; these local Artists take the time to refurbish and give new life to all kinds of pieces. Supporting local goes a long way to having a thriving community. |
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Inside Ideas |
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Owner Gail Slocombe Open Monday - Saturday, 10:00am-3:30pm
THE ELEVATOR PITCH:
I am a window coverings professional that LOVES my job. A PRIORITY Hunter Douglas dealer as well as a specialist in window covering and bedding fabrics. My showroom has been downtown since 1998 in 2 different locations.
THE DRAW: Today I assist you from Tobermory to Port Elgin to Thornbury in discovering the window covering you want through virtual, in-home or in-showroom consults. My showroom has 29 feet of blind displays, 20 feet of Custom curtain displays, as well as 24 years of local digital window coverings (maybe one of yours or your neighbours). Yesterday, I grew from in-stock drapery fabric specialist under the name of Fabric Wizardry on 9th street to full Home Décor store ‘Inside Ideas gift boutique’ in current location on 2nd Ave. With the decluttering of our interiors, I have come full circle back to my roots in textiles with Custom Curtains, Custom roman blinds, 5 blind manufacturers, Custom window seats, Custom reupholstery, Quality Bedding and entrance or runner mats.
THE CLOSE:
I LOVE servicing our community’s commercial buildings now and into the future. The projects I have done and will continue to service will be: Owen Sound and Southampton Grey Bruce Health Services, Lee Manor Retirement home, Township office of Georgian Bluffs, Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library, Keystone Child Youth Family Services, Owen Sound Visitor Centre and Train Car and Harry Lumley Bayshore Centre.
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Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce Mental Health and Addiction Services |
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Open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm THE ELEVATOR PITCH:
At CMHA Grey Bruce, we offer programs and services that support those who live with or are impacted by mental illness and/or addiction. Our goal is good mental health for all residents in Grey and Bruce counties.
THE PLEA:
COVID-19 is impacting our routines, our livelihoods, our relationships, our families and our regular activities. For many of us, it is just life as regular and we continue on. But for a large majority of us, the pandemic is having a negative affect on our mental health in terms of being able to cope and manage during these times. But we can help! While now available on phone versus face to face, we still offer intake support, mental health and addiction counselling, peer support, family
WHY WE'RE HERE:
We are your friends, relatives and neighbours. We want the opportunity to be part of your wellness journey! We all have the right to social, physical and emotional health. Healthy, vibrant people MAKE a healthy, vibrant community. |
| Birgit's Pastry Cafe |
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Owner Birgit Wright Open 8am-4pm, 7 days per week.
THE ELEVATOR PITCH:
We have the BEST Egg & Bacon Sandwiches, Soups and Baking! We have a Fabulous New Space, with CIVIL KAT COFFEE. The BEST coffee in town. Sourdough bread, Carrot cake, Buttertarts, Lemon Poppyseed cake, Potpies, Danishes. ALL To Go! Safely!
THE GOODS:
We are here from 8am – 4pm, we have coffee ready. Call us to make an order or contact us on Facebook or Instagram. We are allowing only 3 customers at a time to come in the shop. We will prep your order of Sandwiches or baked goods and you can pick them up, or we can come to the door with the wireless tap.
WE'VE BEEN AROUND A WHILE: We want to serve our community with what we do best while keeping everyone safe, and soon we will have an online shopping option. I have been participating in the Downtown Business Vibe since 1993 at the Farmers Market bringing Bread & pastries and operating the Breakfast Café there. Then in 2016 we opened the Pastry Café at the back of the Artists Co-op & now we are in our gorgeous new digs next door. Owen Sound is where we live, play & work, many of our friends, family and grandchildren are here. This is where we can pursue all our interests and hobbies, everything is here for us, and we are here for Owen Sound. |
| Scenic City Game Emporium |
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Owners: Jeff & Jenn Barclay
THE ELEVATOR PITCH:
Scenic City Game Emporium is dedicated to fun! Selling everything from Magic: The Gathering cards to board games, from Dungeons and Dragons books to gaming supplies we have your tabletop entertainment needs met! Along with selling product we also host a variety of events in our large gaming area including Magic: The Gathering tournaments, feature board game nights and Dungeons and Dragons groups. We are also an active partner in our community by participating in downtown events, partnering with other Owen Sound groups like the Library and Mudtown Station as well as hosting WHAT WE DO:
Although the store doors have been closed since March 24th, we have continued to serve the public in a variety of ways. We are still offering all of our products through the means of delivery within Owen Sound city limits and curbside pick up at the store on Tuesdays. To place an order, visit our website and send a request for the products you're looking for! In addition to sales, we have also taken events online by hosting board game nights on Discord, offering promos on Magic: the Gathering Arena and running our D&D 101 Workshop through the library’s Owen Sound Mini Comicon on Zoom. WHY US?:
When a small business is supported, they have the means to give back to the community that has supported them. In the past 10 years, Scenic City Game Emporium has thrived and in turn has gained the ability to start three different fundraising initiatives in addition to donating prizes and gift certificates to miscellaneous events within the community. We are successful today because of the overwhelming support from our community and we are thrilled to now be able to give back. When you support local businesses, it comes back to you!
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| Foxx Salon and Spa |
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Open by appointment only.
THE ELEVATOR PITCH: Hi, we are Foxx Salon and Spa. We have just recently opened downtown across from Metro. We are a full service salon and spa specializing in Nail Art and Haircolour. At the moment we have 5 amazing staff members that are qualified in almost every service you can think of. Call us for all of your beauty needs. We can help you reach your definition of beauty! WHAT WE DO: Foxx Salon and Spa specializes in nail art and hair colour. Whether it is hand painted art or crystal placement, box dye correction or a touch up, our talented technicians can make your inspiration pictures become a reality. WHAT WE'RE DOING THESE DAYS: At the moment we are closed for business because of the current crisis. However, we can make up gift certificates for Mother’s Day if you message the shop! When we re-open we would love for you to try out one of our many services with our amazing and talented staff. We can’t wait to open!
Thanks! - Kristen Hartley |
support, addiction support, housing support and socialization support. During this time, the mental health crisis line of grey bruce is there 24/7 to talk about worry and stress and anxiousness; the Bounce Back program is there to offer workbooks and coaching support created specifically to help you work through symptoms of anxiety and depression in the comfort of your own home; the Big White Wall is an online community of peers and professionals willing to connect 24/7 and our urgent response workers are in the community offering support alongside our emergency responders in times of mental health crisis and distress. 
fundraisers for the Safe Communities Bruce Peninsula, the United Way Backpack Program and the Owen Sound Food Bank.
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