Top 5 independent shops in Ottawa

CBC News reported in December 2025 that Maker House, a Hintonburg shop that sells only Canadian-made goods, saw sales nearly double after U.S. tariff tensions earlier that year. Founder Gareth Davies told CBC that from February 2025 onward the shop saw a large increase, and was up around 30 to 40 per cent on the previous December. The Ottawa Business Journal listed the shop in a February 2025 buying-local guide as a source of gifts, books, home decor and more.

• “From February onward, we got a huge uptick due to the vitriol from our neighbours to the south.”

  CBC News · news · December 20, 2025 (opens in a new tab)

• “Maker House Company, 987 Wellington St. W., Ottawa (gifts, books, home decor and more)”

  Ottawa Business Journal, Laura Byrne Paquet · best-of list · February 6, 2025 (opens in a new tab)

Photo: Maker House Co.'s website

Apt613 profiled The Record Centre in September 2025, writing that the main store carries new and used vinyl and audio equipment and offers turntable repairs, with more than 250,000 LPs in the collection. Owner John Thompson told Apt613 the shop grew from six crates of records, and that the tight-knit community is what makes it special.

• “It's not just its turntable repair program or in-store performances that makes the store special, but just how tight-knit its community is too.”

  Apt613, Daria Maystruk · feature · September 23, 2025 (opens in a new tab)

The Ottawa Business Journal wrote in April 2025 that Flock Boutique, celebrating its 20th year, carries clothing and accessories designed and made in Canada. Owner Bridget Remai told the OBJ the shop offers fashionable but comfortable clothing, and that when you buy something made in Canada, the designer has sourced fabric from Canada.

• “When you buy something that's made in Canada, there's a ripple effect. The designer has sourced fabric from Canada.”

  Ottawa Business Journal, Marissa Galko · feature · April 4, 2025 (opens in a new tab)

Photo: Flock Boutique's website

Apt613 featured Miam Miam General Store in October 2024, describing it as an artisanal neighbourhood shop in Ottawa's Chinatown where visitors can find products from local vendors alongside coffee. Owners Amber and Andrew told Apt613 that community is central to the shop: they want it to be a neighbourhood place where people can come in, have coffee, and feel good.

• “We want to be your neighbourhood hang! We're there to lend an ear when we can, serve you some coffee, and help you look and feel good!”

  Apt613, Yuli Sato · feature · October 8, 2024 (opens in a new tab)

Photo: Miam Miam General Store's website

The Ottawa Business Journal reported in May 2024 that Magpie Jewellery moved its long-running downtown location from the Rideau Centre to 517 Sussex Drive in the ByWard Market, in a space of more than 1,000 square feet. Owner Martin Wright told the OBJ the new location has character, the buildings are beautiful, and the shop no longer has to adhere to mall hours.

• “We don't have to adhere to mall hours so we have some more freedom. We can have events.”

  Ottawa Business Journal, Mia Jensen · news · May 15, 2024 (opens in a new tab)

Photo: Magpie Jewellery's website