Mom, dance teacher opens dance boutique in Orillia's downtown

By Tyler Evans, Orillia Matters

Orillia’s one-stop dance shop, Ballare the Dance Boutique, is finally getting its feet off the ground after opening right before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christina Wagg-Marwick believes she is the perfect person to own a dance store in Orillia; she has two daughters who are competitive dancers, and she herself has been a dance teacher for 18 years.

Prior to the opening of the local store, dancers were forced to do their shopping in Barrie or Newmarket, she said.

“It was a need in Orillia. There was nothing else around, and I kind of know what the dancers want and need when it comes to shoes, dancewear, and accessories,” Wagg-Marwick said.

“It was always something I wanted to do, and now that my two girls are a little bit older it’s just the right time.”

While her business meets a need for local dancers in Orillia, Wagg-Marwick says it’s been difficult to navigate operations through the COVID-19 pandemic and the multiple lockdowns that resulted from it.

“It’s been very hard. I had to get creative and do a lot of online sales with Facebook and Instagram Live,” she said.

“When I’ve been open, business has been great, but when I’m closed it’s tough for sure. Luckily, this community is so supportive.”

Wagg-Marwick notes the store carries a variety of different brands and offers sizes from toddler to adult plus sizes in her store.

“I have all of the dance brands that studios and teachers want, and I know Orillia is small so I don’t get a lot of the same items because the kids don’t want the same leotard or dance outfit as their friends,” she said.

“I try to get a lot of unique fashion stuff that you can’t find everywhere else.”

The 41-year-old Orillia District Collegiate and Vocational Institute (ODCVI) graduate is hopeful that one day she will be able to expand her store to the main street where she can get more foot traffic. For now, the store is tucked behind Tre Sorelle at 133 Mississaga St. E.

“A lot of people still don’t even know I’m here which is due to the pandemic and being off the main street. I try to do as much social media as I can. A lot of it is word of mouth, and I think we are starting to gain a good customer base,” she said.