If you’re looking for handmade, locally-sourced gifts for your loved ones this Christmas, check out Maker’s Mojo, one of Downtown Oakville’s newest shops. Everything in Maker’s Mojo has been handcrafted by Canadian artisans, making it a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind finds.
Owner Meenia Shah has always dreamed of opening her own store. Originally from England, the retail maven spent 12 years working in retail and merchandising for stores like Harrods of London working with high-end brands like Versace, Montblanc, 7 For All Mankind, Givenchy and more. It wasn’t until her two children grew older that she was finally able to turn her retail expertise into an entrepreneurial venture of her own.
In 2013, she started ThinkChic, an online shop selling handmade socks and tees with witty quotes like “I’ll be there in a Prosecco” and “If you can read this bring me wine.” Opening a brick-and-mortar store was always Meenia’s end goal. “It’s always been my dream to have a place of my own where I can explore my creativity and share my vision with the world,” she says.
Beyond her own line of products, Maker’s Mojo offers a platform for artisans all over Canada to sell their wares throughout the year. “We want to share a unique, small-batch, high-quality product or work of art with a marketplace that yearns for something unique and creative,” says Meenia, who is always on the lookout for new talent, whether it be on Instagram, at tradeshows, or via word of mouth referrals.
Walk into Maker’s Mojo and you’ll find a beautifully merchandised store packed with unique items including home décor, pet accessories, mugs and stemware, yoga and meditation pillows, ladies apparel and jewellery, children’s products, games, greeting cards and so much more (check out the gallery below for a visual tour of some of the items you can find).
As an Oakville resident, opening her shop in Downtown Oakville was an obvious choice. “Oakville is home,” she says. “As a shopper, I love walking in Downtown Oakville and as handmaker, I dreamed of selling my wares to the visitors here.”
You can explore Maker’s Mojo at 331 Lakeshore Road East. Throughout the month of December, they’ll be open seven days a week (Monday-Wednesday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), giving you plenty of time to check off everyone on your holiday list.