Nestled on the corner where Albert meets McDermot is 75 Albert (aka the Silvestor-Willson Building), a structure with a storied past and colourful present. Since its very inception, the building has been a community hub that’s seen a diverse array of residents bring its halls to life.
Constructed in 1904 for George Silvester and the Willson Stationery Company Limited, this Romanesque Revival building prioritized retail on the ground floor and office spaces on the upper floors. Early tenants included manufacturers’ agents, barristers, a dentist, a cigar dealer, and a meeting space known as ‘Friendship Hall’.
In 2008, the building was purchased by the Exchange Community Church, whose vision was “To facilitate affordable community arts spaces and to preserve creativity and creation in the heart of the Exchange District.” They started renovations that would maintain the building and the studio spaces that many creatives had previously called home.
Today, 75 Albert Street remains a beacon of creativity and home to artists, artisans, makers, and creators of all sorts on every floor. The thread of cultivating community within the building is what ties its past to its present and future.
Let’s explore the businesses and people that call 75 Albert Street home!
Ground Floor
Northlore
Northlore is a body care company on a mission to connect people to their bodies, the earth, and each other. They offer small-batch local and sustainable products that are mindfully crafted in-house from locally grown and hand-harvested botanicals.
Founded by Natassia Bezoplenko-Brazeau in 2014, Northlore’s business practices and product development are informed by wildcrafting, herbalism, folk traditions, and her background in political and gender studies.
Visit Northlore for non-gendered products that are certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny™, Bee Friendly Certified™, endorsed by Naturewatch Foundation™ and a verified clean Think Dirty™ brand.
When asked about her experience at 75 Albert, Natassia says, “We’re excited to continue welcoming artists and makers to 75 Albert as it becomes a thriving, creative hub and to continue making it the best-smelling building in the neighbourhood!”
Find Natassia at the shop Wednesday through Friday 11am-6pm + Saturdays 11am-5pm
@northlore
https://northloregoods.com/
Warehouse Artworks
Established in 1979 by Rod Sasaki, Warehouse Artworks is a destination for custom picture framing and original artwork. The gallery showcases a diverse selection of original works by talented Winnipeg and Manitoba artists working in oil, acrylic, dye on silk, encaustic, pastel, collage, porcelain, clay, wood, silkscreen print and photography.
Warehouse Artworks specializes in custom picture framing of your fine art originals, prints, photographs, memorabilia and even your children’s art. Their object is to make the artwork sing!
When asked about their experience in the building, Rod and his daughter Marielle are flooded with amazing memories, as they’ve called the building home since the late 1980s! Rod fondly recalls old Albert Street Bert Wing, who sold fireworks on the third floor, and Marielle remembers pulling chairs up to the gallery window to watch the Cobblestone Classic bike race that used to take place in the Exchange!
Find Marielle and Rod at their gallery Monday through Friday 9am-5:30pm + Saturdays 10am-5pm
@warehouseartworks
https://www.warehouseartworks.net/
Second Floor
Kami Goertz
Kami Goertz creates a whimsical world where flowers lounge, rocks narrate history, and mushrooms and cacti thrive. Using vintage, reclaimed, and premium materials, she weaves her love for ecology, mycology, fibre and food into her plush characters. Inspired by her belief that one is never too old for a stuffed companion, Kami infuses her soft action figures with heartfelt craftsmanship, sending them into the world to charm collectors and foster a sense of connection.
Kami Goertz is a 75 Albert veteran, sharing, “I have been in the building for 10 years. The first 8 years I was on the 4th floor, before building renovations prompted a shift. That tiny room became my ecosystem over the years as I allowed my creativity and collections of colourful objects and supplies to spread and sprawl, covering the entire space in my personality. This is where I carved out what was to become my full time occupation while I also had a private space to embark on personal growth and healing.”
@kamigoertz
https://www.kamigoertz.com/
Thrift Nihilist
At Thrift Nihilist, you’ll find a balance of wearable, timeless staple pieces and unique, more eccentric items you won’t see daily. Owner Kier Mailan is drawn to anything special and out of the ordinary, which shows up in his curation style. Focusing on a blend of vintage and contemporary style clothing. A differentiator is their wildlife-themed items — think wild t-shirts, floral pieces, and items with nature represented in some way. You can also shop a selection of antiques and furniture- there’s always something new to peruse.
Kier believes “that clothing tells a story of both the garment and the individual wearing it. With vintage pieces, there is a lineage constantly being written with each wearer past and present.” The idea of different people sharing the same appreciation for a garment is a reason for Kier’s passion for vintage. Check out Thrift Nihilist for items that allow people to enjoy pre-loved clothing again and in a new way.
Wilder Goods
Wilder Goods is a design and manufacturing studio that specializes in crafting handmade leather and canvas bags and accessories. All products are meticulously cut, sewn, and riveted at the studio’s workshop. Their designs are timeless, durable, and created in small batches, ensuring the highest level of quality and care.
Find Nate and Brendon at their shop Monday through Friday 11am-5pm + Saturdays 11am-4pm
@wilderwpg
http://www.wilderwpg.com/
Third Floor
Darci Madlung
Darci Madlung is an artist who aims to brighten the world with colour. Her works include original art, colourful paintings, sculpture, and other fun things. You can visit Darci’s world of rainbows at her studio, where new pieces are constantly being created, most recently a line of miniatures.
Simone’s Rose
Simone’s Rose is a brand rooted in sustainable, ethically crafted fashion. It rejects fast, disposable trends and favours enduring pieces meant to grace your wardrobe for years. Designer and maker Michelle focuses on mindful sourcing of organic fibres, vintage fabrics, and surplus materials to help reduce waste. Their local, small-scale operation ensures meticulous attention to detail, crafting impeccable garments designed to be cherished for the long haul.
Find Michelle at her 3rd floor studio on Fridays: 12-6pm + Saturdays: 11am-4pm
@simonesrose
https://simonesrose.com/
Souvenir Handmade
Souvenir Handmade is a jewelry studio inspired by vintage objects and modern shapes. Inspired by raw materials, beautiful stones, and vintage objects, the jewelry pieces are easy to love and wear daily.
Items in warm brass, sterling silver, and gold fill are highlighted with natural stones and made in small batches to help reduce waste. Each piece is handmade and one of a kind, giving you the chance to wear something extra special.
Find Rikki at her 3rd floor studio on Fridays 11am-6pm + Saturdays 11am-5pm
@souvenirhandmade
https://souvenirhandmade.ca/
Stephanie Smith Clothing
Stephanie Smith Clothing is a brand that focuses on creating simple, effortless clothing made from locally sourced deadstock, natural, and vintage fabrics. All pieces are designed and produced under one roof by Stephanie herself. Her designs embrace slow fashion principles, prioritize comfort, quality, and sustainability, and feature simple, timeless cuts.
Find Stephanie at her 3rd floor studio on Fridays 11am-6pm + Saturdays 11am-5pm
@stephaniesmith.clothing
https://www.stephaniesmithclothing.com/
Other Independent Artists
Blake Angeconeb
Blake Angeconeb, a self-trained Anishinaabe woodlands artist from Treaty 3 territory, began his artistic journey six years ago during a painting session with his niece. Since then, he has developed his passion into a full-time career, blending woodland art with pop culture references through acrylics and multimedia on canvas.
@blakeangeconeb
James Dixon
James Dixon (née Paschke) is an Indigiqueer filmmaker and artist whose work blends abstract collaging with documentary aesthetics to explore personal decolonization. His films have been showcased at festivals like the Gimli Film Festival and Toronto Queer Film Festival, while his paintings have been exhibited with Fleet Galleries and the Virden Arts Council. As an accomplished film educator, James has conducted workshops on film history and documentary filmmaking for organizations such as Freeze Frame and the Winnipeg Film Group.
@jamesdixonfilm
https://jamesdixonfilm.com/
Jill Peters-McGillivray
Jill McGillivray inspires her paintings with snapshot photos of personal nostalgic places, aiming to elevate memories beyond their photographic form. Her work navigates the delicate balance between abstraction and representation, inviting viewers to contemplate their everyday experiences. Through painting, she explores the medium’s ability to slow down thought processes and embraces the fluidity of paint, allowing for a fresh encounter with the art form.
@jillpaintspaintings
http://jillmcgillivrayart.com/
Other
Exchange Community Church
The Exchange Community Church fosters a diverse community, welcoming all to deepen their relationships with the Creator. Their services provide an inclusive environment for people from various backgrounds to engage in open dialogue about their faith journey, encouraging questions and doubts.