These guys take "local" to a whole new level. In episode two of Movers & Makers, we profile the Osgoode Company in downtown Barrie.
Support the Locals, Support the Farmers Market
The Osgoode Company is owned by Phil Moreau and Mike Olah. They saw their clothing brand Support the Locals become incredibly popular and decided to launch a downtown storefront a year ago. "We try to make everything within 100km of Barrie," says Moreau. "We do all of our designs right here on our desk, it's important that we keep it is as close to home as possible."
While the store is in Barrie, the brand is on an international level. "We get people from all over. Some come into our shop and compare it to what they see in places like Montreal and Toronto. We see pictures of people wearing our brand from all over the world."
The two owners are very proud to be involved in the push to turn the Barrie bus terminal (located behind their Dunlop St West shop). "When the Barrie BIA presented the idea to move the market into the terminal to City Council, they all wore our Less Stock Market - More Farmers' Market, it was pretty cool."
The Skinny on the Market
The structure at Barrie’s waterfront will slowly converted to a Downtown Public Market - that may even be home to the Barrie Farmer’s Market. The market, as it is being presented by the Barrie BIA, would be a combination food hall, farmers’ market, and gathering space. With a primary focus on food, the public market would house at least a dozen stalls and communal seating under the BIA’s vision. The Farmers’ Market would move to a 7,500 square foot facility on the west side of the property, while the top floor would be occupied by the Sandbox; an “innovation hub” and entrepreneurship centre.
