New Port Stanley Gift Shop Offers Unique Platform for Local Makers A new shop has opened here in Port Stanley, bringing handcrafted goods from across Ontario to our lakeside town and offering independent makers a new way to showcase their work. The Port Stanley Gift Shop, located at 204 Main Street, Unit #3 (the former Harbour Cheesecake location), is the brainchild of Rizzy Manaig. A lifelong crafter, Rizzy started selling her creations online in 2018, but always dreamed of having a physical shop. “When we moved here to Port Stanley, we saw this place and I kind of envisioned myself opening up my own shop,” she says. “I know the struggles of being a crafter -- opening a shop is very intimidating, with all of the expenses, the labour, the renovations. I envisioned that I’d be able to help crafters like me showcase their products without the hefty costs.” The shop features curated spaces for vendors selling handmade items like jewellery, candles, crochet, and skincare. While the store is just opened, they are already showcasing local artisans, and some from as far as Toronto and Ajax. “We don’t want vendors to compete with each other,” Rizzy explains. “For example, with candles, which is a saturated category, we try to curate — one might use glass containers, another might make fun iced-coffee designs. It keeps it interesting and fair.” Rizzy, who describes herself as someone who’s dabbled in a lot of different crafts, says she started with DIY wedding decor and stickers, and now focuses on candles. Helping others find an audience for their creative work is what excites her most about opening the shop. “With a storefront like this, vendors don’t need to be there to sell. People will be able to see their items and shop. They can just focus on their creativity.” The Gift Shop will offer a Port Stanley-branded product line that Rizzy calls Port Stanley Authentic Clothing, including hoodies, t-shirts, and tumblers featuring local history and imagery. Initially open seven days a week, the shop will adjust hours based on traffic patterns. Rizzy encourages anyone interested in becoming a vendor to visit the shop or sign up through their social media accounts.
“We just took a leap of faith moving here,” says Rizzy. “We’ve lived in Kitchener, Mississauga, Brampton, but we found home in Port Stanley.”
Open Wednesday-Sunday 11am-5pm 215 Main Street Port Stanley 519-782-7467 www.studiostyle.ca
To advertise here, please contact Geoff@villagerpublications.com
Port Stanley Villager • June 2025 • Page 7
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