Doris was unable to do grand opening festivities due to COVID-19 restrictions. She took the storefront’s anniversary as a make-up day to do the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The 200-square feet expansion of a gourmet goods section was due to increasing demand and requests from customers.
“I'm just so grateful to be able to share the work of local artisans and small businesses,” said Doris. “They really are the backbone of Living Local Marketplace and to be able to respond to my customers' needs, they're really loving the gourmet goods.”
Her shop sells locally-created artisanal goods that include housewares, personal care and hygiene products and the newly-added gourmet goods. Customers can create customizable gift boxes that can be picked up or delivered from local artizans.
Doris began the business after becoming unemployed at the start of the pandemic in March of 2020.
Originally beginning as a passion project of that spring, Living Local was a seasonal subscription box that shared the work of artisans and small businesses in The Kawarthas. It pivoted to an online gift box shop in the fall of the same year due to higher demand.
“It's all about the people behind the products,” explained Doris. “When we purchase these goods — which are always very high quality — we're supporting our community members, our friends and our neighbours and colleagues. It's an easy connection to make.”
During the ceremony, Doris announced the launch of custom corporate gift boxes that can be delivered coast-to-coast.
Living Local Marketplace was a beneficiary of the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development Starter Company Plus Program, receiving a share of a $36,000 grant in December 2020.
