With a background in music and art, Brooke Manning always wanted to open a space that supported both of her interests. After graduating from the photography program at OCAD University, Brooke initially pursued a career in music and worked as a nanny for musicians on tour, but after a while she realized it wasn't the lifestyle she wanted long term. "I had this idea in the back of my head…it came to a point where I could continue pursuing music, or I could go and start this new thing and just thought, let's do it," she explains. After meeting a number of talented artists during her time at OCAD, Brooke decided she wanted to create a new space to showcase their creativity. She opened up Likely General on Roncesvalles Avenue in July 2013.
“I want to create a space that's really open to the community and learning—a space that promotes small-batch and handmade work by talented up-and-coming artists and designers,” Brooke describes. “I believe that everything in the shop is made with integrity and I feel like everything works together as a cohesive unit with very positive energy.”
Brooke is a strong supporter of her own network of creative friends. The shelves at Likely General are filled with products crafted by individuals she met at school or through her music. Her favourite items include Julie Clark's organically sourced and locally produced skin care line Province Apothecary, Minnow Bathers swimwear, Army of Rokosz jewellery and Species by the Thousands candles.
Brooke is also particularly fond of Likely General’s growing poetry section. "My most favourite thing next to music is poetry and I feel like if I can get people to read more of it, it's only a positive thing,” she explains. “You could really sit with a piece of poetry forever—even just reading a little snippet can change your whole day."
