Halifax gets Bazaar: P.E.I. franchise opens first store outside of province

How Bazaar has expanded to Nova Scotia with a downtown Halifax location that opened on May 19.

The stores thathave sold clothing, accessories, candles, incense and musical instruments imported from Indonesia, Thailand and Indiahave become a mainstay on P.E.I. over the 17 years since the first oneopened.

We know the people personally that make it. Many of them are families that rely on our orders every year.- Terrie Williams, general manager How Bazaar

Terrie Williams, general manager of How Bazaar, said the idea to open up shop in Halifax came from her daughter who is currently living there, and things moved quickly once it came up.

"We just thought the timing is perfect," she said."So we happened upon a location and I guess the stars just all aligned."

'Nerve-racking'

Williams' daughter, Avery Hillstrommanagedthe Cavendish location for the past four years and when she started living in Halifax she pitched the idea of opening a store there.

"We feel it's a really good fit, it's a young city, it's a young market," said Williams. "There's nothing really like our store there."

While Williams is getting the six locations on P.E.I. ready for the season, she said that it is difficult not being on the ground to help out in Halifax, especially because this will be the first location open year-round.

"It's very exciting. It's nerve-racking at the same time."

Fair trade

Williams said that over the 17 years How Bazaar has been operating she has become friends with many of the people that supply the stores with their merchandise.

"We certainly are a completely fair trade importer," she said.

"Everything we buy, we buy directly from the people that make it. We know the people personally that make it. Many of them are families that rely on our orders every year."

"They really rely on us and we really rely on them."

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