A newly opened store at Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener, Ontario, called The Local, is providing a physical retail space for local vendors amidst the dominance of online shopping. The store, founded by Lorenz and Rizzy Manaig, serves as a platform for approximately 80 Canadian vendors to showcase their products.
The concept for The Local stemmed from the Manaigs’ personal encounters with the fiercely competitive online market. Rizzy initiated her online business in 2018 and observed that platforms like Etsy often pressured vendors to reduce prices due to the intense competition with international sellers. The duo aimed to address this issue by assisting vendors in enhancing their products and pricing strategies.
With the imposition of tariffs leading to the closure of some online businesses, Lorenz stressed the importance of providing local vendors with alternative avenues. The Manaigs inaugurated their first branch of The Local last year at White Oaks Mall in London, following it up with another outlet in Port Stanley, known as the Port Stanley Gift Shop.
The store has attracted over 30 vendors from the Waterloo region and seen 40 vendors from the London branch expand to Kitchener. Apart from supporting local vendors, Rizzy emphasized the significance of enabling customers to discover locally made goods within a mall setting to strengthen community connections.
Catherine Young, the proprietor of Backyard Honey Company in Wellesley and a vendor at The Local, expressed optimism about reaching a new customer base through the mall location. For vendors like Dami Rodrigo and Niclin McNeice, showcasing their products at the mall marks a significant progression in their entrepreneurial journey.
Each vendor retains 100% of their earnings, as The Local operates on a rent-based model, providing vendors with a dedicated retail space and staff support. The Manaigs ensure the authenticity of products by scrutinizing vendor applications and requiring progress updates to confirm the handmade nature of the items.
Lorenz envisions The Local’s success by catering to customers seeking genuine, handcrafted products, emphasizing the importance of tangible connections in an increasingly digital world. The store’s shelves are adorned with vendor stories, fostering a sense of community and passion among patrons.
