General FAQ

Why did you start Common Ground Market

Common Ground Market is a not-for-profit Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce initiative with the mission to provide a low risk, easy to use and cost-effective eCommerce solution for small businesses and craftspeople. We are passionate about supporting local artisans and businesses, helping them connect with a larger audience, who equally appreciate the west coast and the abundant talent found here.

Where did the name Common Ground come from

So many of us here on the coast make things in some capacity. Be it carvings, paintings, gardening, harvesting, foraging, jewelry, ceramics, music, philosophy and so many more. Craft is a common ground for friendships, relationships, partnerships, communities and cultures. There are many transient people who live on the coast coming from all parts of the world, many who were born here and many more who have been here for thousands of years. Art can often be our Common Ground.    

is everything on Common Ground Market made on the west coast

Most items are handmade here on the coast, however, branded items are allowed on the site. For example, items with store logos.

We ask vendors to indicate in their item listing when it is made on the coast.  

If I select local delivery, when will it arrive

Our local deliveries are based out of Ucluelet and happen once a week. We will send you an email the day before delivery with your delivery time window. If you would like to request a delivery time, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you. Please email us at: hello@commongroundmarket.ca

What is the processing time for orders

Some items are ready to ship while other items are made to order. Please refer to each product listing. If you aren’t sure, please message the artist for clarification.

If my order is from multiple vendors, will it come as one delivery or multiple

If you selected shipping, each vendor is responsible for shipping their own items, so you can expect delivery times to differ. If you requested a local delivery, we will do our best to deliver all your items in one delivery.

can i return or exchange items

It is up to each vendor on whether they accept exchanges or returns. Please see their store policy and connect with the vendor should you have any questions.

discover artists Living and creating here on the coast

Market love

"This is an excellent opportunity for the entire community to get behind and show our local artists and artisans how important they are to our future economy."

Susan Payne
Executive Director, Pacific Rim Arts Society

"Small business owners are the foundation of Ucluelet’s success. They are a large part of what makes this community special. In a changing world, businesses must be adaptive to maintain a competitive edge. The Common Ground Market offers small businesses a place to showcase their work without the concern of major overhead on the digital landscape."

Denise Stys-norman
Executive Director, Tourism Ucluelet

"Common Ground Market has the potential to support a wide regional reach of both established and emerging artisans. It is a platform that will connect our regional communities, helping showcase and promote that arts and crafts made here to the rest of the world."

Mayco NOËL
Mayor of Ucluelet