Paulette Grant
Unique Town Boutique
Unique Town Boutique (UTB) is a thoughtfully curated retail space celebrating handcrafted creations from a wide range of local artisans. Located in the heart of Downtown Whitby, the boutique showcases the talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of the local community—giving customers a meaningful way to shop local and support small businesses.
Beyond retail, UTB is also home to The Loft at UTB, a versatile and welcoming space designed for connection and creativity. The Loft hosts workshops, exclusive maker pop‑ups, photography sessions, and special events such as birthdays and private shopping experiences, further strengthening UTB’s role as a community hub.
The Inspiration Behind the Business
The journey to ownership for Paulette Grant happened organically. Paulette was first introduced to UTB in late 2020 as a vendor through her own stationery brand. Over time, that relationship grew into a part‑time staff role, followed by store manager.
When the opportunity to take over ownership arose, it felt like a natural next step. The transition allowed Paulette to continue building on UTB’s strong foundation while preserving its welcoming atmosphere and commitment to supporting local vendors on their business journeys.
Why BACD
As a small business owner, having access to the right resources and community support is essential. BACD stood out as an invaluable resource for learning, growth, scaling, and connecting with other local entrepreneurs. BACD has helped increase visibility for Unique Town Boutique while strengthening connections within Durham Region’s business community. Being part of BACD’s network has reinforced the importance of collaboration, community, and shared success—values that guide how UTB continues to grow and support its vendors.
What They’re Most Proud Of
The team at Unique Town Boutique is most proud of the growth the business has achieved while staying true to its mission of uplifting local makers.
Key milestones include receiving the 2026 Canadian Choice Award in the Gift Shops category and surpassing 10,000 orders on Shopify—both strong indicators of customer trust and the positive impact UTB has made within the community.
Advice for Other Entrepreneurs
“Be patient, stay true to your vision, and remain open to embracing opportunities as they come.”
Unique Town Boutique exists to celebrate creativity, foster connection, and make a meaningful impact—one local maker and one customer at a time. Every day is an opportunity to support entrepreneurs, strengthen community, and showcase the incredible talent found right here in Durham Region.
