Exploring eco-friendly boutiques in downtown Montreal

This Saturday, April 22, is Earth Day! Since 1970, this global event has highlighted and promoted efforts to protect the environment. At first glance, downtown Montreal might not be the first place you think of when you think of ecology. However, an increasing number of retailers are rethinking their operations in an effort to offer ethical and sustainable choices. Earth Day provides the perfect opportunity to showcase these worthy actions, so here is our selection of eco-friendly stores in downtown Montreal! Cosmetics, fashion, and food: efforts are being made at every level.

Signé Local

This charming boutique, located right at the entrance to Time Out Market, is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a gift idea. You’ll find a wide selection of greeting cards, decorations, clothing, and beauty products. Local delicacies, each more tempting than the last, are sure to please—from lunch to happy hour! Most importantly, all of the products you’ll see are local: everything in the store was designed and manufactured in Quebec. A process that is ethical and of the highest quality, and helps reduce the environmental footprint of the objects produced. In short, the perfect place to treat yourself (and others!) in a more responsible way.

Time Out Market (Centre Eaton de Montréal) – 705 Rue Sainte-Catherine O.

Aveda

Caring for the environment also means caring for yourself in the right way! Visit Aveda to shop for natural products that are kind to the planet. Although the brand is mainly known for its quality hair care line, it also offers a wide range of beauty products for men and women (cosmetics, perfumes…).

What sets them apart? Everything they make is 100% vegan, and nothing is tested on animals. The brand has also obtained the Leaping Bunny certification—an international standard guaranteeing that their products are cruelty free.

But it doesn’t stop there; Aveda is committed to operating as responsibly as possible. From sourcing to packaging and production, the brand is working to minimize its environmental impact. Using solar and wind energy, reducing water consumption, reusing and recycling as much waste as possible… Aveda teams are looking to innovate and improve the way they do things. A big challenge, but the company is staying the course, sailing towards a cleaner future!

880 Rue Sainte-Catherine O.

Frank and Oak

Founded in Montreal in 2012, Frank and Oak is a major player in sustainable fashion. Because yes, we can make clothes more responsibly!

Their products are manufactured in a sustainable manner, using environmentally friendly materials. Textiles are redesigned; between recycling and innovation, everything is done to have minimal impact on the planet. Yak wool, SeaCell or Kapok fibres, “circular” denim made from waste… original terms and concepts that open the doors to a new universe of possibilities.

Most importantly, the brand is committed to working with companies that protect their workers. No exploitation, forced labour, or unsafe conditions; all partners have signed a code of conduct enforced by Frank and Oak.

Earning B Corp Certification in 2019 was the crowning achievement of the brand’s efforts, ensuring high standards—both in terms of social and environmental performance.

The bonus? Their clothes are beautiful, which certainly adds to the success of the project!

1432 Rue Stanley

Tunnel Espresso Bar

Perhaps you’ve already had the chance to sample the many delights of Tunnel Espresso… But did you know that, beyond their excellent coffee and scrumptious pastries, the team is working hard to implement environmentally sound practices?

Numerous initiatives have been undertaken in Tunnel’s four locations. First, there’s the issue of containers, which remains the biggest problem when you run a take-out café downtown. With single-use plastics banned as of March 28, it has taken time and energy to rethink how beverages are sold. Fortunately, the team was supported by an environmental expert, thanks to the GUTA program (Guichet unique pour la transition alimentaire). This helped Tunnel Espresso find the right suppliers, approved packaging… But GUTA doesn’t just help with the new regulations; it also helps them explore ways to reduce waste at the source, and to encourage eco-friendly practices. Tunnel employees have been trained to raise customer awareness, and everyone is working hard on communication! Customers are encouraged to bring their own container—in fact, a second filter coffee is free if you bring your own cup.

However, the Tunnel Espresso team isn’t just trying to quit using plastic; the thinking goes much deeper, and lots of little details are being put in place. Suppliers (coffee roasters, tea houses…) are delivering by bicycle or electric car. The almond milk is being made on site. The team is also working on a project to reuse the café’s raw material: coffee grounds are collected by a company that uses them to grow mushrooms!

As owner Elsa says, “It’s not a choice—we have to do it, we have to think about future generations.” This matter is at the heart of the team’s concerns; everyone has gotten on board with enthusiasm. While these are small steps, they represent big challenges for a small business. Tunnel Espresso is proud of this and, above all, it’s just the beginning!

4 downtown locations

Place Ville Marie

Time Out Market – Centre Eaton

Indigo – Place Montréal Trust

Gare Centrale

Shifu

Shopping makes you hungry. Why not hit a restaurant at the end of the day? Shifu has just opened in downtown Montreal, and we’re very happy about that!

The idea was to introduce the public to traditional Chinese cuisine, so the restaurant offers a menu with only fifteen dishes. A collection of popular and much-loved classics, ranging from Singapore noodles to fried rice to the ever-popular (and delicious) dim sum.

But Shifu is also a young restaurant trying to rethink the way we consume; consequently, its team has been thinking about a way to reduce waste. Their packaging is 100% compostable, and the restaurant uses certified non-toxic materials. A little something extra that motivates us to go and savour their delicious dishes, always fresh and homemade!

1460 Rue Mackay

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