She Sells Sanctuary Boutique, 3039 Dundas St. W
Co-owners Sylvia Biro-Price and Shelley Snow opened She Sells Sanctuary Boutique in November 2024. The store features a wide range of handcrafted products sourced responsibly from artisans across Southeast Asia. It offers local Toronto artisans a permanent setting to sell their creative, one-of-a-kind wares. There’s something for everyone, from fine sterling silver jewellery to Canadian-designed clothing, hand-loomed textiles, hand-crafted felt toys, and ornaments.
Each item carries a story, and the Boutique ensures that the artisans who made them are compensated fairly, helping to support the endurance of their craft and local villages and communities. The team is incredibly proud of the creativity and talent represented in each unique piece featured in their collection. For Sylvia and Shelley, it’s essential that their fair trade products directly support women and girls in developing countries, helping them earn fair wages, overcome challenges, and access educational opportunities. They are proud to offer an alternative to mass-produced products supporting slave labour and take pride in their store, which sells high-quality goods that benefit both the artisan and buyer.
All of the products at She Sells Sanctuary Boutique are handpicked by Sylvia and Shelley each year through in-person trips. In early 2025, they travelled to Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam to source new collections. Direct sourcing is central to their approach—it’s hard work, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. Meeting the artisans who create the products and visiting their workshops gives them a deeper understanding of the creative process. This personal connection ensures the integrity of everything the Boutique sells and highlights the love, skill, and techniques passed down through generations. Sourcing products directly also aligns with one of Sylvia and Shelley’s favourite hobbies: travelling. Shelley caught the travel bug in her mid-thirties and completed her first major trek through India and Nepal. Sylvia, a lifelong traveler, has spent much of her time exploring Southeast Asia and regions rich in Buddhist history.
Although both had dreamed of opening a retail store for years, the leap from weekend market vending to brick-and-mortar retail took time due to the challenges involved.
Their decision was influenced by a close friend and fellow vendor, Nurjahan Began, owner of Ethical Local Market in the East End, who had undergone a similar transition. Watching Nurjahan’s growth, resilience, and ability to manage the challenges of running a retail business inspired Sylvia and Shelley to take the plunge in the Junction. While being vendors at markets like Leslieville, Trinity Bellwoods, and Evergreen Brickworks was exhilarating, market vending also had its drawbacks—it was physically demanding, required long hours, and could be exhausting. Opening She Sells Sanctuary Boutique offered them more stability and the ability to expand their product offerings to include fragile items and heavy items like handmade pottery, paper crafts, and Tibetan singing bowls.
The final piece of the boutique’s vision was assembling the right team. Sylvia and Shelley knew their success depended on having trusted, capable people in place—especially while they were away sourcing new products. It was essential to find a creative team that brought experience and shared their values and vision. They’re incredibly grateful to have found that in Roula, Samantha, Nurjahan, and Kasia, who are more than staff—they’re true co-creators in every sense.
The entire team feels fortunate to be part of the welcoming and supportive Junction business community. They’re fans of the vibrant restaurant scene when it comes to local dining. Thanks to their sales manager, Roula, they recently discovered Isaan Der, a Thai restaurant that impressed Sylvia, who has worked in Thailand for years. It looks like they’ll be regulars!
Sylvia and Shelley are excited to put down roots in the Junction, where they can contribute to the community by supporting Canadian sellers and transform women’s lives worldwide by selling fair trade artisanal crafts. Be sure to check out their website and Instagram for the latest arrivals.
Written by: James Watson
Member of the Month
Our Member of the Month feature shines a light on Junction businesses and allows the community to learn more about the neighbours who run them.
If your are a Junction business owner who is interested in sharing your story, please contact Carol Jolly, Executive Director.
