It was during the winter of 2016 that I purchased our first load of viscose infinity scarves. At the time, we had no warehouse, no store front, no website and no brand, just a passion to connect local retailers with fun new products that inspired us. I received the order and unpacked it in my living room in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Local retailers were eager to support us and bought them up in a flash! We immediately placed our second order, this time adding handbags and voila: Selby Accessories was born!

When the second order came in, we uncrated the pallets and packed the products to the ceiling in my living room and kitchen. My roommate was livid and it was then we realized.. we need our own space. We believed we could, so we did: we rented a humble, but functional warehouse space, where we expanded our product offering and operated out of until October 2018. We then purchased our very own flag ship store: Selby’s Bunker - a tri use facility: retail store, warehouse & showroom.

Opening in mid February 2019, our downstairs giftshop was born! Although the front of the building and upstairs were still under going extensive renovations, our back-alley giftshop was open and the community began swinging in to see what we were about. During this time we continued to ship out orders to other retail stores, eagerly awaiting renovations to complete upstairs.

In May 2019, our cafe was finally ready to open! When we received our occupancy permit, Elise LeBlanc (Ellie), myself and Michael Smith, owner of My Box Builder who did a fabulous job renovating our cafe, worked until the wee hours of the morning cleaning and decorating. Arriving back on site at 7:30am (thank goodness for espresso!) when Alycia from Aly Mae’s arrived with our first baked goods order, we flash opened with an announcement on our growing social media pages. The word spread quickly and on Friday at close when we locked the doors, Ellie & I looked at each other and said: “we have to hire people!” (and then hugged + bursted into happy tears)

At Selby’s Bunker, we have stood by simple principles and values, appreciating quality and beauty while focusing on sustainability. Our community has been our #1 from day one as we seek to create special moments, whether that’s over a cuppa catching up with a loved one or making someone’s day with that special gift. We source our products locally & globally, curating goods that are delicious, eco-conscious and unique.

To our wonderful community: we would not exist without your kindness & support. We <3 you! To our wonderful staff: thank you for the heart that you serve our community with on a daily basis. <3

Discover Selby’s Bunker!

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Selby’s Bunker Coffee & Gifts - 1090 Cole Harbour Road, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

- Jason