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IQALUIT
Bryan Hellwig began buying Inuit art online and selling it on eBay through his multifaceted business, Southeast Nunavut Company Ltd., in 2007.

Northern Collectables owner Bryan Hellwig displays a variety of artwork in his crowded shop late last month. The art on display includes an oil painting by Celina Iyiraq Iglulik, left, a stone and bone shaman by Toronto carver Nancy Kuptana, and an inuksuk carved by Salamonie Shaa of Dorset. - Myles Dolphin/NNSL photo

He has since reached customers throughout North America, France, Germany, and Britain. He hopes to reach more customers beyond Europe by promoting his 1,000-piece collection of carvings, paintings and jewelry through his Facebook page, which had 12,000 likes last time he counted.

"I'd like to tap into some new markets," Hellwig said. "The Middle East has never been any kind of hot spot to sell Inuit art, but any time to you can break into a new market its a good thing. I'm waiting to sell my first piece to someone in Dubai."

Last month, Hellwig, who was named eBay Canada's entrepreneur of the year in 2008, ventured from virtual commerce into the real world of storefront retail.

Northern Collectables is the name of Hellwig's 300-square-foot shop in Building 1324, which he has owned since 1994. He began opening the art store regularly to Iqalummiut and tourists in the mornings and afternoons last month. Previously, viewings had been by appointment only.

"The Internet market is kind of slow right now, so you want to hit every kind of market you can, including wholesale and retail," he said. "I was opening up a couple of hours in the afternoon here and there, but I'm just finding a lot more people coming around now that I've got longer hours."

The showrooms are packed with art. No wall space is left unadorned by calendars and paintings and jewelry displays. Carvings fill the floor. Some art is even displayed on the ceiling.

"You'd be amazed how many pieces you can get into a space if you arrange it well," he said. "I'm just going with the flow. I wish I had more space. You learn a knack to move the stuff around so it's best positioned."

Hellwig, who lives in the building, opens his dining room up to accommodate customers during special sales. He said he has another small room he plans to open for display soon, as well. The building is also home to his recycling business. He pays deposits on recyclables on Saturday afternoons.

"You can bring your beer cans down and buy art at the same time," he said.

Hellwig has been in business since 1991. He ran a store in Apex and also has a janitorial company.

While he still purchases art through a variety of online auctions, much of his stock now comes from artists he meets in person.

"You start getting to know carvers and carvers start coming around and now I know all of them," he said, adding he owns all the art in his store. "When it lands on your desk you need to pay for it. There's no 30 or 60 day deal here. That's what you need in this business is cash flow."

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