Cottage Industries Making a Comeback

By Elke Porter | WBN News Sea to Sky | May 20, 2025

Once a staple of pre-industrial economies, cottage industries are small-scale, often home-based businesses where goods are crafted by individuals or families rather than mass-produced in factories. While the phrase may evoke images of spinning wheels and handwoven textiles, cottage industries are far from obsolete. In fact, they’re experiencing a renaissance—driven by the demand for sustainable, locally made, and artisanal products.

In British Columbia and across Canada, these micro-enterprises continue to thrive. Here are three modern examples of cottage industries that still exist today:

1. Handmade Soap & Skincare Production

In communities across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, entrepreneurs create natural soaps, lotions, and balms using ingredients like lavender, shea butter, and beeswax. These products are often sold at farmers’ markets, craft fairs, and online platforms like Etsy. Brands such as Salt Spring Soapworks started as cottage operations and now exemplify how homemade goods can scale while keeping their artisanal roots.

2. Artisan Food Production

Small-batch food items—such as preserves, honey, baked goods, or specialty chocolates—remain core to the cottage industry model. For instance, in BC’s Fraser Valley, families produce everything from berry jams to sourdough bread in home kitchens certified by local health authorities. These products are popular among consumers seeking freshness and traceable origins.

3. Textile and Craft Design

From knitting and sewing to quilting and embroidery, textile-based cottage industries remain vibrant, especially among retired artisans and newcomers to Canada bringing traditional crafts. Many of these creators sell custom garments, home décor items, and accessories through social media or local artisan collectives. Initiatives like the Eastside Culture Crawl in Vancouver help promote these artists to a broader audience.

While today's cottage industries may rely on the internet and digital marketing instead of horse-drawn carts, their essence remains unchanged: creating with care, close to home, and on a human scale.

Cottage Industry Revival #Made In BC #Artisan Makers #Small Batch Goods #Home Based Business #Support Local #WBN News Vancouver #Elke Porter

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