We turn the useless into the useful.
At our boutiques we offer you well designed, well made and well priced creations made exclusively from recycled materials. Unique and original, often one-of-a-kind but always way out of the ordinary bags, jewelry, green gifts, accessories and home décor. We’ve given high priority to the extraordinary products made right here in Quebec and Canada as well as fair trade goods, especially those that benefit women’s groups and the disadvantaged. We make quite a few of the clever things on the walls and shelves ourselves.
Already passionate about recycling and creating things,
the idea for Il etait deux fois came about in a circular fashion. We knew many things that got thrown away weren’t really at the end of their useful life and still contained valuable materials. We then discovered a community of eco-artist and designers that thought exactly the same way. All of us knew this “trash” wasn’t ready for the trash heap, it was just waiting to be given a second life as something better. We also found there is growing number people that wish to consume responsibly.
Our idea became a reality in 2008.
Husband-wife team, Chris and Marlene opened a seasonal boutique in the Old Port of Montreal. The boutique itself was transformed using an old shipping container. Our first clients appreciated our efforts using recycled materials and quickly realized our creations weren’t just incredibly interesting, they were exceptionally well made. Since then, we’ve added a larger, permanent location on Boulevard St-Laurent on the Plateau.
We invite you check out our stores and experience what we’re doing in person. Our shelves are loaded with original, eco-responsible gift ideas. Whether or not you leave with one of our creations, we’re confident you’ll leave with a smile on your face and a new awareness about recycling.
We like to say “Our creations aren’t just cool…they’re cool with a conscience.”