Written by guest blogger Anneliese Lawton.
Feature Image from The Handmade House.

Like the people in our life, the shops of Burlington Downtown are one-of-a-kind. Many are family-owned businesses, whose owners live and play – just like we do – in Burlington. These shops sponsor our sports teams, they support our local makers and let’s be honest, they give us a place to purchase really cool stuff. Without them, our charming downtown wouldn’t have the sense of community that it does.

This holiday season, our local shops are here to serve you. They’re here to keep you safe, to offer flexibility, and most importantly, they’re here to help you pick the perfect gift for the people you love most – with many items you wouldn’t be able to snag anywhere else.

Surprise your friends and family with something truly unique from one of our local one-of-a-kind shops.

Agora Marketplace | agoramarketplace.ca
393 John Street

This little boutique on John Street features one-of-a-kind gifts, home furnishings and jewellery. Agora is home to 7 different jewellery artists, 5 glass blowers, 2 painters and is always accepting new artists if they’re willing to join!

Art Gallery of Burlington Gift Shop | agb.life/shop
1333 Lakeshore Road.

The AGB Shop exclusively supports Canadian artists and artisans, maintaining an inventory of exceptional quality and unique products in a range of prices.

Centro Garden | centrogarden.com
437 Brant Street

The best way to sum-up Centro Garden is a “relaxed general store for design, art, and indoor and outdoor garden.” This unique shop features everything from home décor, jewellery, kitchen gadgets, books, gifts, and more. They collaborate with local designers and artists to form fresh ideas and create exciting new products. Centro is widely popular for its outdoor arrangements that bring design to life.

ODDSPOT | oddspot.ca
480 Brant Street. Unit #7

One of the most unique retailers downtown, ODDSPOT is the place to find vinyl, music apparel and memorabilia plus vintage items of all kinds hand selected by owner, Craig. A sure stop for any music-lover on your list. They also support a variety of local artisan vendors with over 12 in-store at a time! Grab a Walk of the Earth or Killin Time Band Tee, check out their “Odd Stuff” of new, used, and recycled goodies, and you’re certain to find something truly one-of-a-kind.

Pure Boutique | pureboutique.ca
389 Brant Street

Pure Boutique is the perfect store to shop for the DIY-er in your life. This shop has a beautiful selection of painted antique furniture for your home, gifts, furniture paint, and shabby-chic inspired home. Every piece in the shop is hand-picked and curated thoughtfully by the owner, Lori. From beginning to end, each piece you gift has been chosen with a whole lotta love.

The Handmade House | Thehandmadehouse.ca
460 Pearl Street

Home to dozens of local makers, artists, and artisans, Handmade House makes it easy to purchase unique handmade items in one convenient location. Here you can final natural cosmetics, home décor, clothing, art, and a huge assortment of gifts for all ages.

When you support businesses like those above, not only are you supporting a real person who owns a store, but you’re supporting the dozens of makers they feature – happy dance!

The Little Pop-Up Shoppe | thelittlepopupshoppe.com
2045 Pine Street

The Little Pop-Up Shoppe is Burlington’s first rotating “Pop-Up” retail store. While the store itself is a permanent fixture in Village Square, products are constantly changing. Every 30 days, Little Pop-Up Shoppe flips the entire store with 35 new artists and designers. Their shop is continuously changing, featuring new talented artists and every month is a new reveal. They feature jewellery, cards, candles, women’s accessories, home decor, clothing, bath and body, pet accessories, and more!