We are very excited to be part of a great Made in Canada Giveaway.  Check out the link below to enter!  Contest runs till July 5 2017.

http://okocreations.ca/en/2017/06/26/giveaway-2017/
 

It was only weeks after we moved into our new space on Lawrence Ave that I realized how much I missed having our kids play area.  Being a mom myself, I appreciate stores that make a place for young children to play so that I can have a few moments to look around without help. 

It took some time to get things moved around but we have had our kids’ area for a few months and I love having it back.  Creating the kids area opened up a section of wall that had be previously hidden.  I knew as soon as I opened up the space that it would be a place to display art.  There are so many amazing artists in the Okanagan and they are all following a dream and I wish I could support them all.  I really didn’t know how I was going to decide.  Luckily I didn’t have to.

One day as I was scrolling through my phone, I discovered the Cool Arts Society.  As soon as I read “Everyone should have equal opportunity to express themselves through art” on their website I knew I had found what I was looking for.  The Cool Arts Society believes that disabilities should not interfere with the exhibition and performance of art.  They provide art classes and host events for those who would normally not have the chance to express their artist side. 

I am super excited to announce that Unless Market now has an Art Gallery at the store called the Cool Arts Society Gallery.  The area will feature a selection of art pieces by various people who have participated in a Cool Arts class or event.  There are currently four unique pieces for sale in the gallery.  Each piece is beautifully framed and priced to sell.  All money raised from the sale of the art in the gallery will be given to the Cool Arts Society to help ensure they are able to keep their doors open for years to come.  Being part of the community and helping others succeed is a huge part of what Unless Market is all about.  It’s about community.

If you would like to know more about the Cool Arts Society please check out their website http://www.coolarts.ca/ and be sure check out their gallery inside our store next time you are in. 

Proud Localist.
Sarah
 

I am very excited to announce that we will be hosting the Canadian independent documentary The Clean Bin Project on June 22rd 2017 at the Kelowna Forum.  This documentary was made in Vancouver BC and is about a couple, Grant and Jen, who compete against each other for a year to see who can produce the least amount of garbage.
 
The green nerd in me is very excited about this event.  We are going to be doing the entire thing as a zero waste event = no garbage (or very little).  It has already been fun to start planning this event as I wanted to find a way to keep track of tickets without having to use any paper.  I know paper can be recycled but it seemed like a fun challenge.  The best part is that I was able to find a solution.  Hurray! 

The film is the main focus of the event but the reason for the film is that we want to start a conversation about waste conscious living in the Okanagan.  We want to hear from people about the challenges they have, the successes and the frustrations when it comes to reducing the amount of waste they produce.  Zero Waste Okanagan is helping to plan this event. The information collected will be used to help solve problems/challenges people have encountered, to share the tips that people have and to put together some workshops in the fall on things that people would like to learn about. 

We are starting to have other amazing businesses join our event.  So there will be door prizes for things like the best drinking mug.  Being a zero waste event we do encourage everyone who plans to attend to bring their own mug. 

I am likely getting far too excited about an event that is all about reducing waste but my inner green nerd is ecstatic. 

If you would like to join us for the event, you can get tickets at the store or online at www.bookwhen.com/unlessmarket  Tickets are $10 plus GST. 

If you have any ideas or fun things that you would like to see at the event please let me know.  I loving hearing ideas and thoughts that you might have.  
 

A few months ago I read about a grassroots movement called Boomerang Bags that started in Australia and was quickly spreading around the world.   The idea is simple.  Reusable bags are offered for free at small retail stores and markets so that if you have forgotten your tote bag you can use one and bring it back later.  The whole point is help reduce our dependence on plastic bags that are doing far more harm than good. 

There is a great picture circulating in social media – the picture looks like it is an ice berg when in fact it is a plastic bag floating in our oceans.  The statistics regarding the number of plastic bags that we use and the number that end up in the ocean are depressing.  In my option, plastic bags have no further purpose and we should all be using reusable bags when we are shopping no matter what we are shopping for.

In the Okanagan, we have started to collect tote bags that people no longer use.  It seems that most people have more tote bags then they know what to do with or they have their favourites that they use and the rest are just taking up room in the hall closet.  I am excited that we already have a nice collection of bags and we have only shared the news about the project once.  

I am a strong believer that things are done better when they are done together.  So last week I started to email a few like-minded businesses and I am very excited to report that the response has been amazing!  Especially since when I say I emailed a few I mean that I emailed a few.  The best news is that you will soon be able to drop off your extra tote bags at more places around town.  Thank you to those local businesses who have jumped on board.  I cannot wait to watch Boomerang Bags become established throughout the Okanagan. 

Watch out for more information https://www.facebook.com/boomerang.bags.okanagan/ and be sure to check out www.boomerangbags.org to see how it all began.
 

Looking forward to making a difference one bag at a time.

Proud Localist
Sarah
 

I met my husband, Mark, while canoe guiding 7 day canoe trips in Northern Ontario.  We both love spending time outdoors and love sharing our passion for the environment with our kids.  The environment is a priority our household and we hope that our kids follow in our footsteps.

A few years ago when we heard that the provincial government and BC Hydro were planning on proceeding with the Site C dam in Northern BC.  I still cannot believe that when the rest of the world is acknowledging that dams are outdated and are working to remove them to try and re-establish the landscape to its original form.  We in BC have decided to move backwards and are in the process of getting a large dam project past the point of no return.

I acknowledge that we need to find ways to power our homes (and this computer that I am currently typing on) but there are much better ways of generating that power than flooding viable farm land in the northern part of our province.  With today’s technology there is no reason in my world why we are moving forward with an old idea like Site C.  Our money should be invested in cleaner energy options, building long term jobs and sustainability. 

Mark decided that he wanted to do more than just signing all the petitions we could find.  He set out to make a short independent film about the project and the effect it will have. 

I am very proud to share with you the short independent film called “Fish Be Damned”.  I highly recommend finding ½ an hour of your time one evening to sit back and enjoy.  The film is free and can be viewed via the link.  http://bcdam.ca/watch-film/

If you are like me and are going to wait something to do after you watch the film, be sure to check out the “In Addition” link on the website for some great ways to add your voice to the fight.

Enjoy.

Proud Localist
Sarah

It does not seem possible that this event was a few weeks ago!  I really do not know where the month of April has gone.  But that is not what I am here to write about.

I want to share about an amazing event that Unless Market and Karmyc Bazzar co-hosted a few weeks ago.  We were very fortunate and were asked to host a ladies day event at our two stores.  To me, these events are what having a local store is all about.  We were able to open our doors and host people who may not have otherwise made it downtown to check out our local stores and visit with other people. 

The event wasn’t about shopping.  It was about supporting each other.  It was about making our community an even better place to live.  Everyone who attended the event got to enjoy freshly made gluten free, vegan baking that had been made by Andrea from our local Blissful Belly Whole Food mixes.  Jennelle from Karmyc Bazzar offered local tea from Chai Baba and we offered local Organic Kombucha from Mother Love Ferments.   When you are a small local store who is all about shopping local you make sure you host events that are about supporting local.  

To celebrate the season of Easter which was only a few weekends away, we had a fun photo booth in our kids area thanks again to Andrea.  I admit that I am not a fan of having my picture taken so I may have avoided the photo area but it was great to see all the fun pictures that resulted from the photo area. 

Being able to host events like we did in April is fabulous.  I was grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to host many more events just like it in the future.

Here is a collage of a few of the pictures from the day’s festivities.
 

Proud Localist
Sarah
 

I am very excited to announce that Bare Nature Products has joined our Refill Instead Program!  We did share this information recently through social media but news this big and exciting deserves it a special announcement.

I have personally been using Bare Nature Products for years.  One of my favourites, besides their deodorant, is the Mommy Magic Organic Butter.   It has become a family staple.  My daughter puts it on any scrap or bruise that she gets.  In her world, it is all that she needs to make her owie better and I love that. 

I have always put our used containers in the dishwasher and re-used them for other things.  But now I can re-use the container for more Mommy Butter.  It may not seem like much but in one week we have kept 3 containers from being recycled.  I cannot wait to watch the number of containers we have kept from being down-cycled grow. 

The number of containers that we have kept from being recycled is a statistic that we have not kept track of yet but we are going to start right now.  I know that we filled 3 Mommy Butter containers last week and we refilled 4 other containers that I can think of off the top of my head.  So our count is starting from March 21 2017 at 7. 

Okay back to Bare Nature Products. 

Here are the Bare Nature Products that we have in the store right now ready to refill your containers.
                Mommy Magic Organic Butter
                Vanilla Chai Organic Healing Lotion
                Radiance Anti-aging facial serum
                Soleil Anti-aging day cream
Coming soon
                4 in 1 Organic Leave-in Conditioner
                Organic Whipped Body Butter

If there are other Bare Nature Products that you would like to have on our refill program please let us know. We would love to hear from you.

I almost forgot one of the best parts.  Not only do you get to keep a plastic container out of our recycling centre but you get to save money too!  Save $2 on every refill product when you bring in your own container.

Proud Localist
Sarah

It is time to celebrate our new location!

I admit that I have been putting off having our grand re-opening as I wanted to have everything perfect.  Things in life are rarely perfect so I am not sure why I felt like I had to have the store perfect before I could share the excitement of our new location.  I love our new location and everything that it has to offer.  So it’s time to celebrate.

I was trying to decide on a day that would be best for the celebration when I got the email from the Downtown Kelowna Association about the upcoming Small Shop Saturday.  Ironically, it seemed perfect.  So we will be celebrating our Grand Re-opening on April 8^th 2017 on Small Shop Saturday.

I have only just started to plan the day of celebration and I know that we will be adding more specials, treats and news about our Grand Re-opening in the next few weeks.  I have created a Facebook event so that everyone can stay informed about the specials and things happening throughout the day on April 8^th 2017.

Facebook Event

I look forward to seeing you there.

Proud Localist

Sarah
 

 

Abeego is one of my favourite products that I carry.  I must admit that until I opened Unless Market I was completely unaware of Abeego.  My store had only been open for a few weeks when Wendy came into my store to check things out and say hello.  During our conversation, you told me about Abeego and how this amazing organic cotton with beeswax blend kept your food fresh longer.  As soon as Wendy left the store, I was on my computer looking up Abeego. 

Within the week I had the product in the store and I was taking a package home to try for myself.  I can honestly say that the rest is history.  I use Abeego regularly, if not daily, in my kitchen.  There are a number of amazing uses for Abeego but I must admit that mine is most often used for half eaten fruit.  I have two young children who like to eat only part of an apple and won’t eat the rest if it turns brown.  Wrapping the half eaten apple in Abeego means that the apple won’t turn brown and my kids will happily finish it later.  I cannot imagine my kitchen without it. I love it.

Abeego is one of my favourite products to share with new and returning customers.  It helps reduce food waste by keeping food fresh longer.  Not to mention the fact that it can replace plastic wrap in your kitchen which is a definite win in my books.  If you are ever looking for a great eco-friendly gift for a friend or yourself, I highly recommend Abeego (which is made in Victoria, BC.)

I admit that I am not a regular watcher of Dragons’ Den but I will definitely be watching this Wednesday to see how the founder of Abeego makes out.  Check out Toni’s blog post about her adventures getting to the Dragons’ studio. 

Proud Localist
Sarah
 

I often sit back and watch my two young children play in amazement.  I find myself jealous of their simple outlook on life and their ability to truly live in the moment.  Using them as my inspiration, I have recently been working on living in the moment.  Relearning how to enjoy what is happening right in front of me -rather than letting my mind drift back to my to-do list or that email that I still want to send. 

Changing our behaviour or habits takes time.  When it is second nature to make sure you have your phone with you no matter what you are doing, it takes time to learn to just leave it on the counter or turn the sound off.  It is about setting boundaries and trying to keep your work life and home life working together rather than against each other.  But the more that I learn to live in the moment, the more rewarding it becomes.  I am still just a beginner when it comes to living in the moment but I recently learned that I am definitely heading in the right direction.  And here is why.

Yesterday, as I was walking back to my car in the rain, I thought of my kids and how much they would love all the puddles that had formed from the rain and melting snow.  It brought a smile to my face just thinking of going puddle jumping with them.  Then it happened.  I jumped in with both feet and made a nice big splash in the next puddle that I passed.  It was fabulous!

I proceeded to jump in all the worthwhile puddles as I made my way to my car.  At one point, I thought to myself – what if someone sees me?  The thought was quickly pushed away by the realization that it would make me smile to see someone puddle jumping and that why worry if someone sees me.  With any luck, I was able to make someone smile with my puddle jumping.  I know for me – it made me laugh and reminded me that life is more fun when we allow ourselves to live in the moment.    

Proud Localist
Sarah

Unless Market is proud to announce that we will no longer be offering plastic bags to our customers.  In the past we had offered 100 % recycled plastic bags that were made in Canada and 100% recyclable but even then it did not feel right. 

I never wanted to offer plastic bags to our customers but I was afraid of offending people by not having plastic bags on hand.  I still don’t want to offend anyone but I have realized that plastic bags don’t fit with Unless Market.  Or rather, I am Unless Market and plastic bags are not me. 

I make an effort to avoid single use plastic items.  When I forget my reusable bag and I become the balance master, which for anyone who knows me is quite the talent.  (I may not be known for my coordination.)  I would rather chance the grocery pyramid than accept a plastic bag which is why providing them to customers never felt right.  However, I did have the blurb about them being Canadian, recycled and recyclable down to a fine art.

Unless Market will continue to offer our customers 100% recycled and recyclable paper bags.  Plus, we will now have a selection of used reusable bags on hand for anyone who feels a paper bag won’t do the trick. 

I am very excited about this small change as it just feels right.

Proud Localist
Sarah
 

When I moved the store after Christmas I honestly thought that I would have the store back up and running within the week.  Looking back, it was my heart that wanted the store to only be closed for a week for my customers.  I did not factor logic into my original thought process at all.  Once my brain got involved, it became quite clear that there was no way for me to have the store up and going so quickly.  Even still, my heart kept creeping into the equation regularly as I responded to emails about when the new space would be open again. 

Luckily, my brain was fulling involved in the decision to have the store open on Tuesday January 17th 2017 at noon.  However, there is a catch.  The store will be open but it will still be a work in progress.  The products will be out and proudly set up on the new displays that we have made.  But there will be a make shift curtain where our refill counter will soon stand.  My heart has realized that it will take time for the flow of the store to truly come together.  It is something that cannot be rushed but rather enjoyed.  So with a bulk of the store set up, we are going to let the rest develop over the next few weeks. 

Part of the delay for opening the store is due to the fact that life caught up with me.  December was a really busy month at the store - which I am grateful for.  Right after Christmas we packed up and moved the store to our new location and started to develop the new space.  Last week my body and brain told me they had both had enough.  This took me by surprise as I really did feel like I had been taking my time with the new space and wasn’t letting myself get burnt out.  But I was wrong.  I was done.  I needed a day to myself.  A day to breathe.  A day to stop and enjoy the quiet.  A day to recover.

We don’t often like to admit that life has gotten the better of us.  We are afraid that the world might see us for who we really are – human.  We like to show the world that we are perfect and that we have everything completely under control.  I can happily admit that I am anything but perfect and that life sometimes gets the better of me.  I am normal (whatever that means).  However, I am learning that when your body and brain have told you that you have had enough and need a break that you should listen.  It is far from easy but it is time for me to find a better balance in my life.  I love what I do and I cannot wait to open the doors to the new space on Tuesday.  But the store won’t be perfect.  It will be just like me – a work in progress. 

Proud Localist
Sarah
 

If you walk down the 500 block of Bernard Ave this week, you will notice that our store front is now vacant.  But don’t worry.  We have not closed our doors, we have just moved a few blocks to our new location – 438 Lawrence Ave.    

Moving the store to start the New Year at our new location is the perfect timing.  New Year’s always indicates new starts and fresh beginnings and that is what our new location is all about for Unless Market.  Our new home, will allow a better set up for our refill program.  Plus, we are going to be able to finally expand the program to include more locally made, eco-friendly products.  I am sure that not everyone gets excited about locally made refillable products, but I sure do. 

Packing up the store gave me lots of time to reflect on the amazing year that we just had.  As much as I am looking forward to our new location and the adventures it will bring, it was nice to reflect on the past year and all that I have learned.  The main thing that continued to stand out was how grateful I am for everyone who takes the time to shop at Unless Market.  I absolutely love that every day of the week someone comes into the store that I know or recognize from one of their previous visits to Unless Market.  It is the people who shop at Unless Market that make us who we have become. 

There is another side of Unless Market that I am equally grateful for – the amazing local artisans who make all the products that we sell.  We wouldn’t be able to have a store that specializes in local products if there weren’t so many small local businesses who were making things right here in the Okanagan (and BC). 

The New Year is going to be full of new adventures and I can hardly wait.  I currently have a blank canvas of a store that I get to create and open for everyone to enjoy.  At this point I do not have a set date as to when I will be able to open the doors of our new location.   The hope is that we will only be closed for a couple of weeks while I create my new masterpiece.  As the week progresses I will be sure to share the progress that I have made and where we are at in terms of opening our new location.

In the meantime, I hope that everyone has had an amazing holiday season with family and friends and a safe and happy New Year.

Proud Localist
Sarah
 

 

 
Like most mothers, everything changed once my daughter was born.
 
Growing up I was what I like to refer to as a “green nerd”.  I made sure everything was recycled, that my parents only bought green cleaning products and if possible my school projects were about saving a park or wilderness area. 
 
The few years before Amber was born I had gotten away from my green nerd roots.  I still recycled, made sure we bought green cleaning products and tried to buy local or organic food when possible.  But I had lost part of the passion that goes along with being a green nerd.  I had become indifferent towards most environmental issues and discouraged as I could not believe that there were still people in this world who did not believe that global warming was real. 
 
Amber arriving into this world changed all that.  She became my inspiration for making a difference and gave me a reason to fight again.  I know that not everyone is going to believe in global warming.  I know that not everyone is going to bring their recycling home from vacation, but that doesn’t mean that I have to give up.  The more people, like me, who believe in a future for our children, the better off we will be.  I want my daughter and son (and grandchildren) to have a planet with wildlife, clean rivers, clean air and fresh food.
 
I am choosing to fight to make our world a better place.  That is why I started Unless Market. 
The purpose behind Unless Market is to change the way that people shop.  To offer a wide selection of products from unique local businesses.   To offer locally made products that you know are clean and safe for both your loved ones and the environment; because we have done the research for you.   To reduce our plastic consumption by offering the clean and safe body and household products in refillable containers.  And to provide a place for people to be able to buy eco-friendly products that help eliminate the use of single use plastic. 
 
I believe that we should be banning single use plastic.  Especially straws, bags and water bottles.  Until that happens, I want to offer people alternatives.  Unless Market now carries three different kinds of reusable straws.  We have a great selection of mason jar products that support waste conscious living.  Not to mention abeego which replaces saran wrap!  However, my favourite eco-friendly product at the moment is the pot scrubbie that is made from coconut fibre.  Once the scrubbie is worn out you just put in your compost.
 
I have found my green nerd passion in Unless Market.  I am someone who cares and wants to make a difference.  I realize that I am only one person, but I am one person who is willing to fight to make things better.  
 
The name Unless Market was inspired by Dr Suess and his book “The Lorax”.  The saying goes like this…. “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It’s not.” 
 

Unless Market is very excited to be partnering with The Save Kindness Society again this holiday season.  We are collecting new pajamas during the month of November through to December 8^th 2016.  For every pair of pajamas that you drop off, you will receive a postcard that can be given as gift to someone who would appreciate your act of kindness. 

The pajamas are being donated to Save the Kindness Society who are making Kindness Kits to be given out to families in need this holiday season.  The Kindness kits will include a new pair of pajamas, hot chocolate, popcorn, a new movie or book and hopefully a gift card to a local grocery store.  Please help us collect new pajamas and make a difference in the lives of someone who is less fortunate this holiday season.

 

   

Unless Market has made the tough decision to move from it’s current location at 534 Bernard Ave.  We are still open on Bernard Ave until we find our new home.  

Life is definitely full of unknowns at the moment but we are looking forward to what the future has to offer for Unless Market.  

We are currently playing the waiting game.  As soon as we have more information about our move and were are new home will be will be sure to share!

Thanks
Sarah

I had the honour of meeting Ingrid a few months ago and I am so glad that she happened to walk into Unless Market the day that she did.  For the past 180 days, Ingrid has been wearing the same little black dress as the base of her outfit.  With the help of friends, local businesses and creativity, Ingrid has wore a unique outfit every day.  The black dress was alway part of the outfit but she managed to make each day unique.  Not only did she make each outfit unique, she posted her outfits and educated us about the current state of the fashion industry along the way.  I know that I definitely learned a few things along the way.  Plus, she made the little black herself.

Below is a video that Ingrid shared with everyone yesterday that really sums up the reasons we need to change the way we look at our clothes and our current fast fashion diaster.

 


Unless Market is about changing the way that we look at the products that we buy and changing the way that we shop.  We are about buying local. We are about buying eco-friendly happy clothing.  We are about sharing the amazing work of people like Ingrid who are trying to make a difference in the world.

Thank you Ingrid!
www.180stylechallenge.com

My daughter loves to have her fingers and toes painted.  It is just one of those things that most kids love.  I never liked the idea of putting solvent based nail polish on her little fingers so I would tell her that we didn't have any (which was true).  That worked until she figured out that there were stores where you could buy things when you didn't have any.  It was shortly after that, when I discovered Piggy Paint and I haven't looked back.  We now get to have mani/pedis and I don't have to worry about the solvent based polish on her nails.  

Piggy Paint is non-toxic, water based, hypoallergenic, virtually odorless, cruelty-free, kid-friendly, safe for use during pregnancy and comes in a bunch of fun, vibrant colours.

I highly recommend Piggy Paint to anyone who would like to use nail polish but doesn't because of the solvents involved with regular nail polish.  

Happy nail painting.

Sarah 

With summer fast approaching and the weather acting like summer is already here, now is the time of year to refresh your sunscreen.  For the past five years, I have used nothing but Organic Suncream by Bare Nature Products. With SPF 35 and all natural ingredients, I feel good about putting it on my little ones skin before they head outside. People often worry about buying suncream with zinc oxide as they do not want to end up white. Rest assured, Bare Nature has formulated their suncream so that is goes on easily and spreads great so you will not end up looking like a ghost.

If you are looking for a great healthy suncream this summer, I highly recommend Bare Nature’s Organic Suncream.  The best part is that it’s only $15!  Stock up today online or stop by the store.  

Ingredients:  distilled water, zinc oxide, organic coconut oil, organic sunflower oil, eco-certified emulsifying wax, organic flax oil, cetyl alcohol, tangerine essential oil, lime essential oil, rosemary essential oil, spermint essential oil and fermented radish root.