The Tare Shop

When I graduated from university in environmental studies, I struggled to find a role I could play in helping the world move in a better direction. But I recognized a gap in the local market. In Halifax I was unable to buy shampoo without a plastic bottle, or rice that wasn’t in a plastic bag. If I couldn’t live without generating such waste, how could anyone?

I opened The Tare Shop in October 2018 to address this need, and to offer guidance and education opportunities to others like me who wanted to live more sustainably. I also wanted to build community around the positive message that together we can make a difference. In January of 2021 we opened our second location in Downtown Dartmouth. 

The Tare Shop has been an unqualified success. We have saved over 17,000 cups and bottles, and 131,000 plastic bags/containers from entering the waste stream. We have generated over $200,000 in profit, have served over 7900 customers, and gain an average of 30% new customers each month. Over two years we have maintained an average of seven employees. The Tare Shop was voted Best New Business by readers of The Coast in 2019 and I won Divert Nova Scotia’s prestigious “Emerging Environmental Leader” award.

This funding will support our mission in both locations – to reach more people and help make sustainable living more accessible to the local communities. We plan on using the funding to support our education and outreach initiatives as well as help grow our brand and awareness. 

Thank you SO much for your support!