6 Businesses That Set Up Shop In Saint John During Covid-19
SAINT JOHN – The Covid-19 pandemic brought on many challenges for New Brunswick’s business community. But that didn’t stop some entrepreneurs in Saint John from opening up shop and pursuing their dreams.
With Small Business Week upon us, we thought we’d highlight some of the entrepreneurs who despite the many challenges, opened businesses in the city over the past eight months.
Here are some of them:
1) Riff Raff Skate Shop
When Trent Wheaton planned to open his skate shop/ record store, Riff Raff in uptown Saint John, he had a specific vision.
“My vision is very me. I loosely based it on my bedroom from 1987,” said Wheaton, in a previous conversation with Huddle. “That’s what I want the store to be, that’s the theory behind it.”
Riff Raff carries skateboards and skateboard hardware, clothing and accessories, along with a selection of new/used vinyl of the heavier variety. The store experienced a delay in opening due to the Covid-19 lockdown but officially opened its doors in May at 12 Charlotte Street.
2) Juniper
One of the things the pandemic helped many people realize is the importance of living more sustainably, and that’s what the sustainable lifestyle store, Juniper, wants to help people do.
“I think if anything the global situation right now has really made it clear that we need to emphasize wellness and the health of our communities and I think that’s really fitting with the intention with Juniper from the start,” Juniper’s owner Katelyn Price told Huddle last month.
“If anything, I think it’s even more relevant and Juniper has become even more of what it was meant to be from the beginning.”
After some delays due to the pandemic, Juniper officially opened at 80 Prince William Street in uptown Saint John in September.
3) Marci’s Salads
Marci’s Salads, located on Grannan Street in uptown Saint John, officially opened in July.
The eatery offers of variety of fresh, pre-designed salads and smoothies. Everything is fresh cut and roasted in the restaurant and the dressings are made from scratch.
“All of our dressings are vegan, gluten and dairy-free; not all the salads have all of those components, but they can very easily made to suit somebody’s dietary need,” said Marci’s co-owner Sarah Murphy, in a previous chat with Huddle.
“We know it takes a lot of work to make something like that and we want to make it easy for people to eat healthy.”
4) Obscurity
Obscurity, located at 88 Germain Street, sells quirky gifts and housewares you won’t find anywhere else.
The shop, which opened October 1st, is owned by Pamela Wheaton (owner of nearby Heartbreak Boutique) and Mishelle Carson-Roy. It carries everything from cards, enamel pins, stationery, kitchen accessories, home decor and even items for pets.
If you’re looking for a unique gift for anyone in your life, they’ll have something.
“I’ve always been a fan of things that were just a little bit mystical and out there, and it was kind of the draw of all of this. It’s a mix of everything that you can’t find anywhere and it’s obscure,” Carson-Roy told Huddle back in July.
“You’re going to walk in and it’s going to be an experience because of the products that we have, but also how we want to build the shop. So when you walk in, you feel like you’re in a different place.”
5) Saint John Bakery
After returning back to New Brunswick a year ago after living in the U.S., Stuart Howe decided to join the family business.
His parents own and operate Village Square Bake Shop in Grand-Bay Westfield. After spending some time helping his parents at the shop, he fell in love with the business and decided to open a second bakery at 535 Westmorland Road on the city’s east side.
“This is my bakery, I own this one. They own that one,” said Howe, back in August. “But it’s still the same family bakery brand.”
Saint John Bakery, which opened in September, sells traditional everyday baked goods at the quality people have come to know at Village Square. But they also offer some different things a well.
“I would like to add some different things. I’m going to hire a pastry chef and I’d like to have house-made croissants, baguette, French pastries, and things that are harder to find here unless you buy a multi-pack at Sobeys,” said Howe. “I hope that we can fill those needs for people.”
6) In Pursuit
Many Saint Johners know of the In Pursuit’s iconic pink truck that parked curbside on Prince William Street.
The mobile boutique had been selling clothing, accessories and gifts since 2017. But when the pandemic hit, owner Dominique Leger decided she needed to temporarily park the truck and open a brick and mortar store to help her business survive. A truck doesn’t lend itself well to social distancing rules.
“I always tell people who come on the truck that it’s exactly the same as boutique except that it’s in a truck instead of building,” Leger said, back in May. “In this case, it’s going to be exactly the same as the truck, except that it’s in the building instead of on four wheels.”
In Pursuit’s shop opened in June. But don’t worry, Leger said she plans to get the Pink Truck back on the road as soon and it’s safe too!