New Lifestyle Store In Halifax Caters To Kids While You Shop
HALIFAX — It’s a common problem for parents: you have to shop but you have restless children with you who absolutely do not want to browse the shelves. A new lifestyle store in Halifax is looking to help parents with this dilemma while keeping the kids entertained.
Flora James Shop, which officially opened on September 6, has products for all ages. But the owner, Bria Doiron, installed a section where her younger customers can colour, read, and play while their parents do the shopping.
The idea came from the land of Midnight Oil and amazing accents. While working as an au pair down under, Doiron loved the Australian shopping experience, where she first came across these kids’ entertainment corners.
“I really loved shopping for my niece (for whom the shop, Flora James, is named), who was not born yet. So I purchased a lot of Australian toys and clothes and I brought them back here for my niece when she was born,” recalls Doiron.
“I found it hard, after moving back, to find a spot where we could bring a toddler into a store where she could sit down and play while we could browse and shop for things that we like.”
The items for sale at Flora James are all things Doiron enjoys herself. They range from books, children’s toys, and greeting cards to beautiful ceramic mugs and more.
Most of the items come from independent producers across Canada. Like many new entrepreneurs, Doiron insists that all products sold at her shop are produced ethically.
“It’s a various collection of items that I enjoy myself, or items that my sister and I enjoy buying for Flora,” she explains. “And the brands that I carry, their values, have to align with mine: how they make their products, what’s in their products, how they ship them.”
“Pretty much everything is eco-friendly and sustainably made. Our children’s toys are inclusive, so nothing gender-specific.”
Opening Flora James Shop on Brunswick Street has fulfilled a life-long ambition for Doiron. She always knew she wanted her own store, but the “when, what, and how” often alluded her.
“I never had any jitters; I just knew I was supposed to have a store. I’m pretty optimistic. I’m a visual, creative person,” she said.
But things kicked into gear when she finally found her perfect location; something entrepreneurs everywhere struggle to find.
“At first, I felt discouraged; I didn’t see anything where I pictured it…somewhere downtown. As soon as I saw the previous tenants were leaving. It didn’t even get advertised and I snatched it up.”
“It’s in the middle of everywhere and there’s tons of foot traffic.”
Doiron is hoping to start creative workshops at Flora James, where people can share their skills and passions with one another.
Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].