Unwrapped celebrates first anniversary

It may not be the ideal time for a business to celebrate its first-year anniversary, mid-pandemic and in the middle of downtown reconstruction, but that’s where Lindsay’s Unwrapped store finds itself – and they’re making the most out of it.

The business bills itself as “Lindsay’s first zero waste and sustainable living store,” offering plastic free replacements for everyday items in homes and bulk refills of natural and Canadian-made personal care and household cleaning products.

Business partners Jenny Connell and Jessica Moynes own and operate Unwrapped, and Connell says the lockdown “is a necessary, but unfortunate start to our second year in business.”

“We are trying to stay positive and keep our products as accessible to our community as the rules allow,” Connell adds.

Unwrapped is not deemed “essential” under provincial rules, but they can still do curbside pick-up or delivery.

“We continue to see support from many and, following a strong Christmas season, we feel we will be able to ride out the storm,” says Connell.

Both Connell and Moynes have two youngsters at home and they’re all busy trying to master online learning throughout the day while also doing free deliveries all over Kawartha Lakes. The business has regular curbside pickup hours at the shop itself. Connell, a nurse at Ross Memorial Hospital, continues to do this work part time as well.

One of the things they’re most grateful for is the high level of public support.

“I think the public are much more comfortable with online shopping from local businesses at this point, which is very helpful as a shop owner at this time,” she says.

“A lot of businesses have been prepared for a second lockdown and have adapted their business models to match, which is not something that any of us could say in March.”

She notes how supportive and patient customers have been, given they had to work to figure out everyone’s curbside pick-up times, as each business was different based on its own needs.

“I am confident it will be just as positive this time around but have high hopes that this lockdown won’t last quite as long,” Connell says, as the one in March.

Visit their website here or call (705) 701-8703.