A few months ago, a friend and I were on an morning walk in Sandy Hill when a storefront on Somerset Street East caught our attention. “Bee You Creative Styles” read the sign above windows filled with artfully displayed clothes, jewellery, toys, accessories and books.
Intrigued, we peered through the window to see racks and shelves filled with colourful items. Since it was early on a Sunday morning, the shop was (quite understandably) closed. (It opens daily at 11am.) But we were both keen to check it out another time.
That time came sooner than expected when an email from Ottawa Road Trips reader Leah Geller dropped into my in-box. It turns out that Bee You Creative Styles owner Jess Vaillancourt is a friend of hers, and Leah was urging me to check out the store. It seemed like the universe was pointing me in that direction.
So last week, I swung by the shop to look around and chat with Jess, and I’m glad I did! It’s a charming, eclectic boutique, packed with eye-catching items that clamoured for my attention as Jess took me on a guided tour.
She bought the business in 2018, after working in a different consignment store, and later moved it to its current location to bring the shop closer to where she lives.
Perhaps surprisingly, given the wide range of consignment and vintage garments for sale, and how attractively they’re displayed, Jess says she didn’t buy the business because she’s keenly interested in fashion. Sustainability, not style, was her first concern.
To that end, she’s keen to keep clothing out of the landfill. A “Community Fix-it Corner” on the lower level—equipped with two sewing machines plus all sorts of threads, buttons and notions—is available for anyone to use, free of charge. Jess also runs workshops to teach needlework skills, which can help people repair beloved but damaged pieces.
As part of her sustainable mission, Jess accepts a greater percentage of clothes she receives than other most other consignment stores do. And when items don’t sell, she donates them to local charities.
Interestingly, clothes are grouped by size, but also in two colour groups. Black and white items have their own section, while all the other colours are grouped together. In another interesting twist, the store stocks clothing for men and children as well as women. (In fact, I ended up buying a men’s royal blue velvet blazer, size small, because—why not?)
Along with clothing, footwear and accessories, you’ll also find new and gently used books, and new jewellery by local makers, as well as new socks, soaps, candles and other gift items. Truly, you could browse here for ages and still discover new things.
Don’t miss these events!
And—news flash—Jess is having her end-of-season winter sale on January 24, 25 and 26. Already-discounted items will be discounted even further to get them moving, so she can clear space to bring in spring and summer clothes.
Jess and Leah also throw a monthly Colours & Cocktails event. Guests can have their colours done by Leah and do a bit of shopping while enjoying fun drinks. The next three events are on Sunday, February 9; Friday, March 7; and Sunday, April 6.
So don’t delay as long as I did when checking out this super-cool shop! You’ll find Bee You Creative Styles at 323 Somerset East, and the store is open seven days a week. See the store’s website for hours and for tickets to the Colours & Cocktails events.
Looking for more tips on things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide.
As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.
