Lebanese Canadian entrepreneur Andrea Soueidan launched Sip N’ Shop MTL just a few years ago, never expecting it to turn into one of Montreal’s must-visit holiday bazaars with a lineup of vendors that’s every bit as diverse as the city itself.
“Immigrating to Montreal, to Canada, you come with different ideas and we’re each talented in our own way from artists to designers to making products by hand. So I thought it would be great to showcase everyone,” said Soueidan.
“My why is to support local businesses, businesses that are international and that don’t have necessarily a storefront.”
The cost of admission? One shoebox filled with $50 worth of personal items for a woman in a shelter, gift-wrapped and placed under their many trees.
“I thought it was very important to support especially around this time of the holidays. We were gifted, we’re spoiled, we get to buy whatever we want and just the fact of knowing that there’s women out there that can’t afford essential needs touches my heart,” said Soueidan.
Carolina Safi is a tablescape artist and etiquette coach.
“I help families around the world to transform the moments around the table through table escapes and good manners,” said Saif.
Safi says Sip N’ Shop brings people together.
“Meeting with people. It’s wonderful the exchange we have and then when they recognize us through social media, oh finally a me too. So it’s a wonderful point of connection,” said Safi.
“Oh the holiday market – Sip N’ Shop is my favourite event of the year. There’s always amazing Montreal vendors like Patisserie Marouse is one of my favorite, Toala, Montabello, so many great Montreal companies,” said Tuti Do, a Sip N’ Shop attendee.
“You can’t go wrong with desserts from Montabello and Marouse, I always get things from there and it’s just fun to come here and Sip N’ Shop.”
“We love greeting people. We’ve been servicing them all year. We start in April, Sip N’ Shop to launch it and we walk everybody through and if there is small business and can’t afford being showcased the way they want to be, we also help them in every way we can,” says Soueidan.
“It’s bringing everybody together. Imagine opening the holiday season and having over 700 people come to one place. They sip, they shop and they give back.”