By Deborah Mebude
Situated on the north end of Dalhousie Street, Workshop Studio & Boutique embodies the true essence of neighbourhood collaboration.
It was established in the ByWard Market almost 14 years ago by Christina Ballhorn and business partner Bridget Remai, two designers with a common passion for locally made fashion. When they first met, both women were selling their own goods in the Market, Ballhorn making silk screen T-shirts, and Remai making fair-trade jewellery. “We hit it off,” explains Ballhorn.
Naturally, it was this synergy that led them to envision a space where local and sustainable designs would be front and centre. Both women recognized a need for a shared platform for like-minded creatives. “We thought it’d be great to have a space that could showcase local artists,” Balhorn tells me. Along with other friends in the industry, they set off to design a shop that would be truly one of a kind.
Today, the shop maintains these same core values, with locally made products by mostly female vendors as its raison d’être, and its eclectic feel, all of it is distinctly Canadian.
occasions. Photo: Deborah Mebude
Featuring more than 100 designers, the storefront is filled with lines from across Canada. Entering the shop, it’s easy to see its unique charm. The selection includes a variety of women’s goods, from accessories, to printed tops and scarves, to a vast assortment of handmade jewellery. Notably, the shop features clothing lines with a range of sizing, because
an inclusive customer experience is important to Ballhorn. She wants women of all ages, shapes and sizes to feel welcome. To her, it’s about creating a positive space that all people can feel comfortable in. “We want it to feel like you’re shopping with your best friend in her closet,” Ballhorn explains.
It’s no surprise then, that business has been steady for the duo. For over a decade, the owners have been able to grow alongside other creatives. They’ve had the pleasure, too, of introducing new designers to customers. “It’s been great to have seen people become established. It’s also great to help up-and-coming people,” says Ballhorn.
In true collaborative fashion (pun intended), the store also provides opportunities for those with little to no design experience to hone a new skill, right in the shop itself. “We do workshops to teach people about jewellery-making, knitting and other crafts.” With a culture of skillsharing, the shop is an all-around outlet for creative expression.
Some of this creativity happens right behind the till area, where employees are able to bring prints to life. With a specialized work space for designing, this in-house space allows staff to silk screen t-shirts by hand. If one’s in the market for something locallymade, it doesn’t get much more local than that.
It’s this fact, combined with the variety of other hand-made goods,that makes the store a great option for the environmentally minded shopper. Since goods are made in Canada, less energy is needed to transport items to the store.
There are other benefits to shopping Canadian-made though, including the positive impact on the local economy, as well as the ability to support artists in our community. With so many of the goods we buy produced internationally, there’s something special about knowing that a product is made by a designer not too far away. This emphasis on local production helps bridge the gap between producers and consumers.
If one prefers the online experience, however, a selection of the store’s products can be purchased on their website. Still, Ballhorn maintains that there’s nothing quite like the in-person experience. “As much as it’s great to have online shopping, it’s vibrant and interesting to invest in your neighbourhood.”
These days it can be rare to find things that are genuinely local. But after more than a decade in the community, these Ottawa designers don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. “I really like Dalhousie,” says Ballhorn. “We’re happy to be a part of the community.”