Kim Smith's Oromocto Galleria: The First of Its Kind

The Oromocto Galleria’s roots go deep—all the way to January 2014. Owner Kim Smith has been on the market scene for even longer. Having attended her fair share of markets and craft sales throughout New Brunswick, she was no longer satisfied with bouncing around with her products.

Owner Kim Smith

If one thing can be said about the arts community, it’s that they will always have each other’s back. This experience at markets “connected me with a lot of people I knew were in the same predicament as myself. (Markets) are a really good stepping stone,” says Kim. However, there comes a time when “you don’t want to spend every weekend doing markets, and you want to have more of a brick-and-mortar place for people to come to.”

When Kim Smith first opened the galleria, she was the first of her kind in Oromocto and the surrounding area. “Originally, there were six other people selling with me. It just grew and grew.” Within her first year of sales, Kim was already expanding into a larger area of the plaza at 291 Restigouche Road. As the only shop where artisans could sell and promote their products, Kim quickly gained popularity. Although some have since retired, the original vendors are still selling their products in the shop eleven years later. With such a strong foundation of loyalty, it’s no wonder vendors choose The Oromocto Galleria to help them introduce their art to a wider audience.

The Oromocto Galleria Storefront

On that same foundation of community spirit and loyalty, Kim puts back into the community as much kindness as they give her. Residents, visitors, and tourists—people are what give The Oromocto Galleria its success. In the age of Amazon, AI, and two-day delivery, small businesses are finding it hard to compete. However, Maritime Hospitality always rallies in support of local shops. Kim agrees that shopping local “supports the local economy. You’re supporting Jane Doe, who normally wouldn’t have an opportunity to sell outside of his or her market, and now they’re in a store five days a week. That money is staying inside the New Brunswick economy… Not everyone can sustain a store with their own product, but together when they collaborate­—like right now there are 150 (vendors)—they become part of a much bigger collective.”

“We can support all sorts of local organizations because the local people support us.”

It wasn’t always booming business. Kim has poured her heart into her shop, and it shows in how she interacts with customers like family, how she’s constantly and actively encouraging staff, and all her positive reinforcements to incoming vendors. Initially, after the Christmas rush, the shop sat idle during its opening month in January; Kim describes this as not her greatest “lightbulb moment, but it all worked out.” Her marketing techniques consisted of visiting every local business to explain her store concept, handing out business cards, and introducing herself. Kim says she’d even stop people randomly in the mall and encourage them to visit.

A Galleria DIY Event

“I immediately became very involved in my community. I joined the Chamber of Commerce; I’d sit on different boards… I helped support all the different organizations like kids’ ball teams, hockey teams, and so on. That was huge in growing my business… People want that interaction. They want to know, ‘Oh my gosh, someone made this right here in the area; it’s not manufactured outside of the country.’”

If you’re hesitant about visiting, rest assured that there are no items in the shop that the owner herself is not 100% obsessed with. Skin Potion Naturals Canada is the shop’s only soap brand, and Kim says she wouldn’t be fooled into bringing in another that would impinge upon the brand’s success. If she’s happy with a product, you can expect Kim to do anything in her power to guarantee its success in the store. With a well-balanced stock of high-quality items, The Oromocto Galleria remains one of the only stores of its kind.

Drop by The Oromocto Galleria today! Open Tuesday to Saturday, there’s something for everyone. Whether it’s Skin Potion Naturals or the ongoing summer series of children’s activities. See attached a list of events!

Series of Summer Events at The Oromocto Galleria