All-Indigenous department store popping up soon in Toronto

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Published November 6, 2024 at 12:03 pm

aaniin toronto

One of Toronto’s major downtown malls will soon play host to an all-Indigenous pop-up department store.

The aaniin pop-up department store is named for a streetwear brand that’s at the centre of the project. Popping up at the Eaton Centre, the store will bring together over 40 Indigenous-owned brands including Cheekbone Beauty and Lesley Hampton.

Other brands present in the store will include Urban Native Era, Mini Tipi, Section 35, Kokom Scrunchies and Decolonial Clothing.

The store will take over more than 6,500 square feet of the mall for four weeks, and will have everything from jewelry, art and books to beauty products, accessories and home goods.

The pop-up was founded by Chelsee Pettit, an Anishinaabe entrepreneur from Aamjiwnaag First Nation, who wanted the store to uplift Indigenous brands and represent a decolonized approach to business. This is even reflected in the design of the store, which features multiple Indigenous languages and Indigenous syllabics.

 

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“This store is all about celebrating Indigenous creativity, and we’ve made supporting our community easier than ever in a way that’s powerful, accessible and inclusive,” says Pettit in a press release.

“Every detail, every brand we feature, is here to share their stories and talent with the world this holiday season, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share this experience with the downtown core.”

“Payworks applauds the powerful creativity, grit and determination shown by aaniin in reclaiming space for Indigenous-owned businesses,” says Barb Gamey, co-founder of Payworks, a sponsor of the pop-up. “We’re honoured to support this initiative and Indigenous entrepreneurs from coast to coast.”

“We are proud to partner with aaniin on this initiative to bring Indigenous brands into a pop-up at the Eaton Centre, one of Canada’s most popular retail spaces during the busy holiday season,” said Jennifer M Sloan, Senior Vice President, Policy and Stakeholder Engagement, Mastercard, Canada–another sponsor.

“By celebrating and supporting Indigenous business and entrepreneurship, shoppers will have the opportunity to invest in a more inclusive and resilient Canadian economy.”

The aaniin Indigenous department store will be popping up at the Eaton Centre in the space where American Eagle used to be from Nov. 29 to Dec. 31.