Locally-owned shops throughout Ottawa’s vibrant neighbourhoods are the perfect places to get much-needed retail therapy. They carry quality independent designers and makers from Canada and beyond that produce all the memorable fashion, gifts and souvenirs you’re looking for. Here are some local favourite hotspots where you can easily find your own piece of Ottawa’s homegrown style:
Quality fashion and accessories
Want to browse over 150 independent Canadian designers? Visit Flock Boutique in the trendy Wellington West neighbourhood. The shop carries unique women’s clothing and accessories from designers like Annie 50 and Jennifer Glasgow, as well as the owners’ own creations.
Stay in Wellington West and visit Victoire for clothing, accessories and footwear by other independent brands like Birds of North America and Eve Gravel. Stop in at JV Studios next door to see the owner’s own creations and explore her curated selection of jewellery and lifestyle products by independent Canadian makers.
Sussex Drive in the ByWard Market neighbourhood is known for its high-end boutiques, including schad. While you browse the large selection of men’s and women’s clothing and footwear, you’ll recognize quality Canadian brands worn by actress and Meghan Markle, like Mackage and Smythe.
Also found in the ByWard Market is Milk, an eclectic boutique where you can find clothing, accessories, stationary, home goods, body products, greeting cards and more.
With multiple locations around the city, including Rideau Street, Westboro and Bank Street, Magpie Jewellery offers stunning pieces from a variety of artists.
Stylish streetwear
One of North America’s premier streetwear boutiques, NRML, started here in Canada’s Capital as a simple sneaker shop. The store is now known for its huge selection of authentic streetwear and exclusive footwear available online and in stores. Their flagship location on Rideau Street downtown covers three levels!
Stomping Ground in the Glebe neighbourhood offers curated menswear, grooming items and accessories. The sleek shop focuses on quality brands, including Canadian-made Naked and Famous as well as Muttonhead. To get the ultimate look, request a personal shopping experience!
Authentic homewares
Maker House, a popular shop located in the hyper-local Hintonburg area of Wellington West, carries authentically-crafted items from the Ottawa area and elsewhere in Canada. You’ll find streetwear by Ottawa’s Black Coffee Apparel, bottle openers made from reclaimed hockey sticks, funky DIY 3D paper sculpture crafts, bath and body products and even solid wood furniture. A portion of all product sales supports local non-profits, so you can feel good while you shop.
Brew Donkey, located on Elgin Street, runs bus tours to the many craft breweries located throughout the Ottawa area. They sell great craft beer swag that you can pick up on tour, too!
More local gems can be found at the Ottawa Farmers’ Market which is held year-round on Sundays at Lansdowne in the Glebe. Over 100 vendors from within 100 kilometres of Ottawa gather outside the Aberdeen Pavilion during the warmer months, and inside the historic building in the winter. You’ll find edible local products like cheese, ice cream and desserts, but also crafts, jewellery and décor. The perfect place to purchase something homegrown in Ottawa!
