People of the OCQ: Rae
Nestled on the edge of Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter, in a sunlit building that once housed another antique store, Old City Panache is more than just a market — it’s a living, breathing community woven together by 50 different vendors, each bringing in their own carefully chosen treasures.
For manager Rae, it’s a place that feels as personal as it does practical. “We literally have everything in here,” she laughs, gesturing across rows of vintage glassware, retro kitchen canisters, brass figurines and handmade candles. “No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll probably find it — and if you don’t, one of the vendors can usually bring it in.”
At first glance, it might look like a traditional antique mall, but what makes Old City Panache unique is the quiet, cooperative spirit that runs through its hallways. Vendors don’t just drop off their stock and disappear — they check in, rearrange their booths, share wrapping supplies, and sometimes even help each other wrap up customer purchases when things get busy. “It really feels like a family,” says Rae. “We all look out for each other.”
It’s a business model that works beautifully: each vendor rents a booth month-to-month, freeing them from the financial and emotional weight of running a standalone store. They can be artisans making framed art, hobbyists reselling curated vintage finds, or shop owners from elsewhere on the Island using Old City Panache as a satellite showroom. “For someone who just makes candles, or has a few racks of clothing, this is a way to have a retail presence without the overhead,” explains Rae. “They don’t have to be here all day watching the till and managing a store.”
The space itself is surprisingly large, with booths designed cleverly. The double-sided walls let vendors create two completely different moods, for example, a men’s vintage work shirts on one side and delicate mid-century teacups on the other. “It lets people get really creative,” says Rae.
Rae herself started out as a vendor too. “I was just helping out on Sundays at first,” she recalls. “Then I came on full-time, and when the previous manager retired, I stepped up.” Now, alongside her assistant manager Brianna and two part-timers, she keeps the market humming.
The history of the shop stretches back even further. Before Old City Panache, the same building housed Romantic Ruins, run by a single owner who began inviting other vendors to help cover rent. When COVID forced that business to close, one of the employees rallied former vendors, added more booths, and reopened under the new name. “We even kept some of the same vendors,” Rae explains.
The name itself nods to the shop’s location: Old City Panache, nestled in the heart of Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter — a district full of heritage buildings and indie spirit.
Step inside, and you’ll see why people linger. Vintage toys spark memories of childhood. Rows of colourful Pyrex and Tupperware remind shoppers of parents and grandparents long past. Young people shop for vintage clothing, brass candlesticks, and handmade jewelry, drawn by a desire to buy things made to last, rather than mass-produced fast fashion. “I think people are realizing vintage items really do last longer,” she says. “They were just made better. And it’s better for the planet, too.”
The market is open every day but Monday, and visitors often come just to browse, chat, and take a walk down memory lane. “Sometimes people don’t even buy anything, they just love seeing things from their childhood,” Rae says. “It makes it a really happy place to work.”
The heart of Old City Panache isn’t in any single booth or display, it’s in the collective spirit of fifty small dreams sharing one big space.
Old City Panache is located at 250 Prideaux Street and hours change depending on the season. In the summer, they are open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am – 3pm and Sundays from 11am – 3pm.