White Elephant, the brainchild of Jane LaBatte and Hollie Pocsai, was inspired by the white elephant sales of the 20th century that featured items people had parted with and sold to interested others. Jane and Hollie, who had gained a following through their blog Love It A Lot, were regulars in James Street’s makers’ market before opening their own retail space in 2008. With ethical clothing labels, handmade items and jewellery, White Elephant, true to its moniker, offers unique finds and treasures.
Jane was frustrated with her routine office job while Hollie felt the same way about her career in television production, so the two friends opened a boutique that supported Canadian designers, locally made products and sustainable design. Their philosophy is to offer “timeless, hand-made quality pieces that are not mass produced,” Jane explains, and it was born out of happenstance when they wanted to be the “best place to find a dress.” Their mission is one of a shared ethic of community consciousness that has been cultivated by offering stylish clothing with a social conscience.
