Address: 209 Gilmour St.
Phone number: 613-565-0564
Hours of operation: Mon - Sat 11am–8pm/Sun 11am–5pm
Payment methods: Cash, debit, Mastercard, Visa
Directions:# 5 Billings Bridge bus route, located near corner of Gilmour and Elgin

Aunt Olive’s is the result of the idea that thrift shopping is best done on a full stomach. The store is a hybrid of a classic tea and sandwich shop combined with vintage clothes, shoes and accessories for sale. Owner Jaime Garner used to co-manage a different thrift store in Ottawa when she decided that she wanted to open up a store of her own.

“I used to be a chef and always wanted to open up my own café,” she says. “I couldn’t decide between doing that or opening up another clothing store, so I did both.” The store’s modest size and wood paneled ceilings and floors give off the vibe that one is visiting a friend’s cozy cottage. While it only celebrated its one year anniversary last Valentine’s day, Aunt Olive’s has a lived in feel; almost everything in it is second hand, from the cushy, floral print couch in one corner to the ceramic cats that sit on the shelves to the functioning Galaga arcade game that doubles as a table. Even the menus are unique, having been created from the covers of old harlequin romance novels.

The clothes, which are arranged by style and colour, add to the overall aesthetic of the store. There are predominately women’s shirts and dresses (about $25-$65), shoes and boots ($20-$50), jewelry and accessories ($8-$15), men’s shirts ($20) and suits (starting at around $100). Most of the clothes are procured by Garner herself, who scours thrift stores, E-bay, and yard sales to find things for her store.

“I love the hunt of finding new clothes,” she says. “I love sewing, altering, and the idea of recycling. I like finding a grandma’s polyester muumuu from the 70s and turning it into something wearable.”

The menu includes a variety of homemade sandwiches, wraps, and baked treats. Everyday there is a different vegan soup and vegetarian quiche available. The food is reasonable priced, ranging from $3 to $9 per item. It is fitting that Garner named the store after her own eclectic late aunt. Visiting Aunt Olive’s is very much like visiting a close relative’s house, one that will cook you a warm meal and let you play dress up with her wardrobe. There is a certain level of comfort in this that separates Aunt Olive’s from other overly glossy cafés.

profile and photography by Anna Fitzpatrick