If you pop your head into downtown boutique J&R Grimsmo (1533 Barrington Street), chances are you’ll be greeted by Jessy Lacourciere or Rachael Grant, or maybe even both of them. The longtime friends and stylish minds behind the elegant-meets-adorable shop recently celebrated one year in the retail biz, and Grant says so far, so good. “In Halifax people are really loyal to the businesses they love, which is incredible. It’s a slow build though, people have to trust that you’re going to hang around.” It was after years of working as costumers in the film scene that Grant and Lacourciere decided to make a daydream of theirs a reality. Inspired by aesthetic of roomy European-style boutiques, J&R Grimsmo took over the former home of Junk & Foibles, leaving lots of space for showcasing the buzz-worthy lines, labels and local jewellery it carries. As the pair work on reaching fashionable people outside of the downtown core, Grant says she sees a swell in support for small businesses. “People are starting to realize that when they shop local is it’s not just good for that business, it’s good for the whole community. Feeding a local business is like feeding yourself in a way.”