Sattva Owner Opens ‘Another Shop’ On Halifax Waterfront
HALIFAX—A socially conscious fashion boutique from Halifax entrepreneur Sarah Andrews is the latest addition to the growing retail district around one of Halifax’s most iconic new developments.
Another Shop officially opened its doors over the weekend, in an airy space a stone’s throw from the Queen’s Marque sea steps.
Andrews is best known as the owner of Sattva, a boutique shop in the city’s North End that focuses on “socially conscious” clothing and accessories.
She tells Huddle she wasn’t considering expanding. However, when The Armour Group asked if she wanted retail space at Queens’ Marque, she couldn’t say no.
“I did fall in love with the opportunity there and the space there. I just think it’s really cool to have a waterfront boutique—that was just really hard to pass up,” she says. “The space and also the architecture is just beautiful.”
Initially, Armour pitched a second Sattva location, but Andrews says she thought a new brand was the right fit for the space.
“I wanted to create something special and specific to the site of Queen’s Marque because it’s a really special spot and I wanted to create a brand that was unique to that place,” she says.
She says there’s been a rise in popularity of ethical fashion “so we’re leaving in a lot of good products on the table [and] there was there’s just room for more.”
At Sattva, Andrews guarantees her products will be “local, social, ethical, and eco-friendly.” At Another Shop, she’s given herself a little more “wiggle room” to expand the product line.
However, she says Another Shop will still focus on “sustainable fashion with a contemporary touch” that’s guided by a similar philosophy.
She also says she’s putting a strong focus on products made in Canada.
Another shop will carry some of the same brands as Sattva, including the house brand “Sattva by Sarah,” but will expand into others as well.
Andrews says she’s happy to “be a host” to tourists and give them an opportunity to look past the typical souvenirs and tourist-focused fare and buy quality, made-in-Canada products on the waterfront.
She’s also excited to be a part of what she believes will quickly grow into a vibrant, local community around Queen’s Marque.
“I’m really happy that the waterfront is getting more populated. When I first arrived here [13 years ago], it seemed like the waterfront was full of parking lots, and now local peers of mine are doing date nights there—they don’t know where they’re going, they’re just going to the waterfront for date nights. It’s becoming a space for locals as well.”
Another Shop officially opened on July 2. Andrews says the store will evolve with the wants and needs of her customers but will still feel familiar to fans of Sattva.
“I just want them to come and check it out. And I want them to come and check out Queen’s Marque too because I think it’s really an experience and it puts the shopper in that not-quite-tangible mind space of being on a little mini-vacation.”
Trevor Nichols is the Associate Editor of Huddle based in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].