From November 20–23, sheepdog had the honour of hosting a four-day pop-up at Holt Renfrew’s Vancouver location, an experience we’ll never forget. We were joined by our friends Ryan and Jessica from ROO ROO Made, which made the entire experience even more special.
This opportunity truly came about by chance. Jacqueline was vending at the very first BarkHaus Market in Port Moody, where she met countless amazing people (and dogs). One customer made a purchase, then returned later to hand over a magenta business card - Holt Renfrew’s signature colour. He mentioned that our branding stood out to him and that he'd love to explore how we might work together.
Fast forward to the following week, we sent an email, and things quickly began to move. The Holt Renfrew team invited us in for a meeting. Not knowing what to expect, Chris made a last-minute IKEA run the night before to find display jars and even paid for expedited printing to get our brand books ready in time. When we arrived, we learned that Holt Renfrew had also reached out to ROO ROO Made, hoping to create something special for the holidays especially since the store is 100% dog-friendly. Dates were set, requirements were shared, and we got straight to work.
We knew we had to go the extra mile to stand out among the premium brands surrounding us. Together with ROO ROO Made, we brainstormed ways to elevate our setup beyond the standard pop-up table. That’s when the sheepdog cart was born, built entirely by hand in Jacqueline’s parents’ garage. With commercial options costing nearly 10x the price, we chose to build it ourselves. The long weekend was spent measuring, sanding, painting, and assembling, but it was absolutely worth it.
The pop-up itself was intense and incredibly rewarding. We both took time off from our full-time jobs to be there from open to close all four days. It was exhausting, Chris even experienced his first-ever nosebleed after day two. But none of that mattered. Sharing the space with ROO ROO Made, exchanging ideas, talking life, and connecting over our shared attention to detail and customer experience made it unforgettable.
For us, these four days weren’t about sales. it was about exposure, connection, and community. Two years ago, if you told us we’d be popping up inside a luxury department store, we never would have believed you. That initial encounter at BarkHaus reminded us how you never know who you’ll meet and why it’s always important to lead with kindness.
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who stopped by, supported us, and spent time chatting with us. Thank you for being part of this moment with us.
Now the question is… where will the sheepdog cart pop up next?
-Jacq & Chris
