Supporting local is going full circle at a new store in Okotoks.

Shared Spaces, located at 8 McRae Street, allows local artisans to rent out space in the store to sell their products.

Lisa Jones, co-owner of Shared Spaces, says it's important entrepreneurs have a permanent place to sell their goods.

"Markets are a great way to get their products out but it's very seasonal, so this is a way they can have their products available to the public all the time and it's a place where people might come in for one thing and get exposure to all kinds of things they didn't know were available in our area."

Three per cent of proceeds from the store will be donated quarterly to a local charity. The first organization to receive a donation from Shared Spaces will be the Foothills Country Hospice.

Jones says it's important to support entrepreneurs in the area.

"We are a community. We need to hold each other up and support each other and a big part of what this store is, is building that artisans and crafters community and trying to find that support within the community to keep these people going."

According to Jones, the response from the community and artisans has been positive and welcoming.

The store also features a deli with locally sourced food as well as a networking space, craft room, and will soon house a massage therapist and psychic medium.

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