The story behind Maker House Co. dates back to when globalization didn’t exist and when furniture was made locally to last. It was a time when we as Canadians bought from neighbour-owned stores, rather than large, foreign-owned stores, and when our ancestors were the blood and sweat behind our economy.

This all changed in the mid-1900s when people started to fall in love with cheaply imported items. Folks began to be drawn in by their exotic variety, inexpensive prices, and box-store accessibility. Through our buying habits, we collectively caused our local shops to shut down and force ourselves to adapt to more globalized careers.

However, we’re now waking up to the hidden costs of our purchases. We’re beginning to notice that planned obsolescence, carbon footprints, and non-living wages are embedded in the items we buy from faraway lands. We’re realizing there is a better, simpler way to get a more meaningful and sustainable version of things. 

We are now buying local.

From supporting craft breweries to purchasing local art, we are redeveloping our communities and creating space for artists to thrive, businesses to grow, and careers to be made.

Founded in 2015, our mission is to bring the maker movement to main street retail. Our shop changes the way we engage with both the products we buy and the people who make them. As a social enterprise, we also donate 2% of all sales to local community projects.

Maker House Co. is the brainchild of Gareth Davies, representing the convergence of his love for handmade furniture, authentic stories, and community growth.

Gareth learned everything he knew about helping others from his mother. Carolyn Davies, who can be seen below to the right, was actively involved in volunteering and non-profit work her whole life. She desired to help others which inspired Gareth to follow his dreams and create the #CraftChange initiative.

The seeds of Maker House Co. go back to Gareth’s grandfather, Lorne Casey, who can be seen below making a treehouse with his grandchildren, including his youngest, Gareth, in the middle. Lorne was a craftsman, furniture refinisher, and an international furniture buyer for a Toronto department store. It is the furniture pieces passed down to Gareth by his grandfather that he and his wife Sarah cherish the most.

Stop by Maker House Co. today to pick up your family’s next heirloom. With everything being built to last, you can rest assured knowing you’re not only buying for yourself but your children and their children as well.