COMMUNITY
CONNECTION
WHERE DIVERSE
INDEPENDENT MAKERS, ARTISANS, DESIGNERS, SHOPPERS + STAFF COME TOGETHER
Third+Bird is a family. We are a special community with deep bonds and connection. The Third+Bird family is a fun and inclusive space welcoming all folx from BIMPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ communities, celebrating diversity. All makers are welcome regardless of race, religion, colour, national origin or sex.
We wish to acknowledge that our markets are gathered on Treaty 1 territory, traditional territory of the Anishinabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.
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There are a number of great resources to learn and be more informed. This is a great place to start:
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https://www.winnipegvitalsigns.org/vital-information/treaty-1/
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WE LOVE WHAT WE DO
Third+Bird is Winnipeg’s largest urban market. We host curated markets, pop-ups, and partnership events such as the Canada Games, Manyfest, Zoo Lights, Folklorama, Police and Fire games etc that provide fun and inspiring gathering places for artisans + shoppers to meaningfully connect.
Third+Bird is a place to celebrate and shine a light on Canadian businesses who are pushing the independent makers industry through modern design, fresh ideas and creative branding. We strive to make personal connections with those we serve and work with – because supporting makers and their products matter to us, and we believe they matter to you.
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Our urban markets have gained national exposure, with requests to host Third+Bird across western Canada and share our platform with motivated makers and shoppers alike. In 2018, we were honoured to be nominated and awarded with the Manitoba Tourism Innovation Award. We were recognized for our creativity and innovation in the tourism industry, developing new product and offerings for Manitoba’s tourism market. In 2019 we were we were honoured to be awarded with the Small Business of the Year Award. We were also honoured to be selected and chosen to receive the 2019 Travel Manitoba Partnership Award.
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Executives from Co-op, Safeway and Sobeys have flown in and signed many of our food vendors. Consumers can now shop their products in stores across Canada. Since being a part of Third+Bird, many vendors have been able to open their own storefronts and have been given unique opportunities to grow their businesses.
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We pride ourselves on creating unique shopping experiences filled with inspiring visuals, food + drink, live music and infectious energy!
MEET CHANDRA
Chandra is a creative, innovator and industry leader in the Urban Market, Shop Local movement.
She is passionate about people, artisans, supporting small businesses, and marginalized women in Nepal. Dreaming big, creating new platforms, business models and collaborations is what she does best. She sets high standards for herself, markets, staff and vendors.
Chandra is the Founder and CEO of Third+Bird.
She’s a mother of 2 girls and her 2 dogs Roxy and Yumi. She married her teenage love (19 years). Is an avid traveler who loves a good playlist as well as creating art and camping. Her perfect summer day in Winnipeg would consist of a delicious home made brunch, swimming in the pool with great music playing + having a big family BBQ in the evening.
Chandra is an ideas girl. She has creative vision along with strong marketing and branding skills. Bringing vivacious energy and excitement to any situation, you will find her pitching collaborations, dreaming up new markets, and finding ways to bring shoppers and creatives together. She has a huge heart for people and fostering relationships.
One of her favourite aspects of Third+Bird is bringing community together, feeling the collective energy and love. Watching the joy on shoppers faces as they walk through the door with their friends and family is the absolute best! “Witnessing on the side lines as makers interact and connect with shoppers is so special. Nothing beats market days!”
OUR
STORY
Third+Bird’s story began in 2009. Chandra had an idea to create a Christmas craft sale showcasing the best makers in Winnipeg, all in an effort to fundraise money for inner city community art programs and the Nepali Women's Co-op to globally support marginalized women. The sale was hosted through the Winnipeg Centre Vineyard.
With Chandra’s ‘dream big’ mindset she tackled, with a best friend, the untapped SHOP LOCAL market movement.
For the first 6.5 years, 100% of all money raised went back to the local + global initiatives. This was and still is today, the markets foundation.
Fast-forward to 2015 the market was beginning to reach unimaginable heights of success. The innovation and branding of the ‘shop local’ movement was taking off. It was time to transition from running the market as a hobby, to a full time business that could exceed expectations and break barriers…in that transition, Third+Bird was offiically born.
List of Accomplishments:
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The addition of the following: an annual Spring Market, a summer market in Clear Lake, expanding to Saskatoon for a Christmas market, summer and winter pop-ups.
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Created new and unique shopping opportunities by partnering with the following: The Forks Market, The Bay Downtown, Canada Games, Parks Canada, Design Festival by Storefront MB, Assiniboine Park Zoo, Clear Lake / Lake House, St. Norbert Farmers’ Market, ManyFest, World Police & Fire Games
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Outgrew three locations: Winnipeg Centre Vineyard, Transcona Country Club, The Downtown Hudson’s Bay, now settling into their 4th home at Red River Exhibition Place.
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Created a new business model for urban markets in Winnipeg: bringing a retail market into an existing retail store with the Hudson’s Bay Downtown, creating a mutually profitable platform.
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Boosting the local economy by bringing in over 28,000+ shoppers and generating over $2.5 million in artisan revenues annually.
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In 2018, won the Manitoba Tourism Innovation Award, being recognized for creativity + innovation in the tourism industry, developing new product + offerings for Manitoba’s tourism market.
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In 2019, rewarded with the Small Business of the Year Award and the Travel Manitoba Partnership Award with Lake House / Clear Lake Country.
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Merging with St Norbert Farmers’s Market during COVID, helping both brands stay alive + support the local makers, creating one great come back story!
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Developing an e-commerce site that allows more people to shop + experience Third+Bird and the community of makers they showcase.
Third+Bird’s unwavering commitment to supporting diverse local artisans has made a name for them in Manitoba, and even across Canada. Their support of local and global community resonates with their attendees and vendors. It will only go up from here with Third+Bird continuing to innovate, break boundaries, all while remaining true to their original vision and mission.