We have partnered with some of Winnipeg’s best local joints for our Shop Local, Earn Credit campaign…and we want you to meet them!

Meet Sherry Sobey, owner of Generation Green, located at The Forks Market:

Tell us about your philosophy at Generation Green.

Sherry: We genuinely care about people, we care about health, and we care about our individual and collective impact on this world, and the world we are creating for our children. We want to be known as a place that can be trusted to offer products that take all of that into consideration.

Why go Green?

Sherry: Going green in this generation does not mean making big sacrifices! There are so many fabulous products to choose from that perform better than conventional ones, with the bonus of never having to compromise your health. Our health should be our most important priority and that is the primary reason we say become part of a green generation! The other important reason in choosing these alternatives to conventional ones is that until we all make a strong enough statement, there is no reason for large corporations to commit to make changes.  Every time you make a purchase, you are voting for that product to stay on the market. We source products that are affordable, support small manufacturers that have created products ethically that focus on developing a quality-based product that won’t affect our health negatively.

Generation Green offers workshops as well?

Sherry: We offer one workshop a month, and encourage our customers to tell us what they want to know more about.  It’s basically about creating a community that learns from each other, we all have knowledge to share! You can always find out when we are having workshops or even sampling dates on our calendar of events, which can be accessed through our website or blog.

And finally…why is shopping locally in Winnipeg important?

Sherry: Shopping local in Winnipeg is important not only for environmental sustainability, but also for economical purposes. Supporting the communities we live in helps them to continually grow and develop. That’s why at Generation Green we also source our products locally first, then throughout Canada.

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Pick up your promocard at any of our participating partners, like Generation Green, and get a stamp for each purchase you make. Once your promocard is full, redeem it with us for a $10 Driving Credit. For more info, click here

We have partnered with some of Winnipeg’s best local joints for our Shop Local, Earn Credit campaign…and we want you to meet them!

Meet Andee Penner, owner of Sew Dandee, located on 105 Osborne St:

Can you tell us about what inspired you to open Sew Dandee?

Andee: I’ve been a maker of sorts for as long as I can remember. I had my crocheted hats and reworked clothing in a local designer’s shop, she asked me to come run her store, I said yes and within six months we became partners in the shop and a year after that, I took it over on my own. It wasn’t something I ever thought I’d be doing but the universe threw a great, albeit terrifying opportunity into my lap and seven and a half years later, I’m still living the dream! I count my lucky stars everyday to be able to do what I love for a living.

Sew Dandee carries many local handmade crafts. What can you tell us about the importance of a well-made hand-crafted object?

Andee: It’s my daily goal to show people how important and possible it is to have a connection with the things they buy. Knowing the skill, hard work and love that goes into a handmade item is something to be appreciated and valued. There is a face and a story behind every item I sell at my shop and sharing these creations with Winnipeg is my mission.

Why is shopping locally in Winnipeg important?

Andee: There is such an amazing domino effect that happens when you shop at local, small businesses. Your money spent at Sew Dandee not only pays my bills but allows me to go to Generation Green at The Forks and pick up some locally grown oats which allows Sherry at Generation Green to pay her incredible staff which allows them to get a custom bike built at Natural Cycle and on and on and on!  Winnipeg is so chock full of talented, hard working makers, we really can get everything we need just outside our back doors! And how empowering does it feel to spend your hard earned money in such a way that it stays in your community and out of the pockets of the big box stores and corporate money grabbers?

♦♦♦

Pick up your promocard at any of our participating partners, like Sew Dandee, and get a stamp for each purchase you make. Once your promocard is full, redeem it with us for a $10 Driving Credit. For more info, click here