MYLUX Shop open for business in Port Perry

By Robin Van Der Vleuten

SCUGOG: The MYLUX Shop owner, Roxanne Ruscica, is excited to open her shop in Port Perry, especially because of its small-town feel and community connection. She is an entrepreneur who started selling all-natural candles, soaps, and shower steamers, who understands the work involved in trying to market and sell your products. “I was doing some shows every weekend, and with work it was very busy. It got to be heavy as well, as I got into Home Décor. It was too much, and I wanted to open a store.” Hence, she created MYLUX Shop, to enable local artists and entrepreneurs to display and sell their products.

Roxanne’s goal is to try to bring in a collection of different types of items at MYLUX Shop. Many handmade items are on the shelves, but she also searches for that unique item which people can purchase and say is from a different place (a gift shop). She likes to refer to her shop as a ‘One Stop Shop,’ where customers can buy something special for anyone, from a child to a ninety-year-old.

Throughout her journey, she has met many people who also have small businesses, both handmade and retail. She saw the need for a venue to promote their businesses. At MYLUX Shop, Roxanne can offer new and seasoned entrepreneurs a platform for them to branch out. “You can promote your business here, and then your customers can also buy from other vendors, building community.” MYLUX Shop is not just about making a sale, but rather, it is about promoting your business. Roxanne does not promise sales, but she has zero commission taken from purchases. Vendors make 100 percent commission.

Roxanne wants to build something unique at MYLUX Shop, where vendors can rent a shelf (shelves) and advertise their company. “We are like a rental company. We buy the shelves, then you rent the shelf/shelves from us.” Roxanne can accommodate a seller’s space needs, by offering different rental tier (shelf) packages (1 tier, 4 tier and 5 tier), with the requirement you pay once a month, with a two-month commitment upfront. After that, vendors pay monthly. Part of the cycle of her store is to have everyone succeed. She proudly states, “These small businesses are the store. The vendors make the store.” She has vendors as young as 14 years old renting tiers.

From home décor, handmade items, 3d printer items, felt hats, baby items, freeze-dried candy and fruit, and even the famous Dubai chocolate, there is a huge selection at MYLUX Shop. The black and white décor is uniform, classy, and gallery-like, allowing the handmade items and products to be the colour which draws your attention. “I do not want the ‘flea market’ vibe, but rather I want people to feel like it is a bunch of stores in a store, where you do a few turns and notice something you have not noticed before.”

At MYLUX Shop, Roxanne offers workshops (candle making and decoupage) and hopes to schedule others, based on interest. She will also try to source and bring in items customers are interested in, if she does not have them in stock.

MYLUX Shop can be searched on Facebook, Instagram, and Google Maps. She does not have a website, as she would prefer people to come into the store and experience the ‘old-time shopping’ feel. Currently, her hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., except during winter hours. MYLUX Shop is located at 241 Queen Street, Unit B (in the back, not on the main street). It is like a secret entrance, waiting for you to discover its treasures.