Village People: MiJi Gifts
What started as a personal love for crochet grew into MiJi Gifts, a business Meizi Xuan is proud to call her own.
We caught up with Meizi to hear about her journey, the origins of the business name, and her hopes for the future of MiJi Gifts.
Q: What’s your favourite colour?
A: Green. It gives me a sense of calm and helps me feel more at peace with my thoughts.
Q: Where did the idea for the business come from?
A: Crocheting has always been a personal passion, and I’ve always been drawn to traditional handmade crafts. After moving here, I noticed there were lots of fellow crochet lovers — but not many people doing micro-crochet. That sparked the idea that maybe I could turn something I love into a business and offer something a little different.
Q: How did the name of the business come to be?
A: After my friend and I graduated from the MBA program at UNB, we started dreaming up a business together and came up with the name. “M” is the first letter of my name, “J” is hers, and the two “i”s represent the family and friends who’ve supported us along the way. Although she later moved to Toronto, I’ve always loved the name and decided to carry it forward.
Q: Did you have a different job before you started working here? What did you do?
A: I’m actually also one of the owners of a restaurant called Mimimi! Cooking is another one of my hobbies (turns out I have quite a few). The restaurant has been especially busy this year, so I’ve been spending more time there and won’t be taking on custom crochet orders for now. Thankfully, I have some amazing friends helping me keep things running here at the shop.
Q: Is your container village location your first brick-and-mortar retail shop?
A: Yes, it is!
Q: Why did you want to set up shop at AREA 506?
A: First off, I just love the vibe here. AREA 506 is one of the most exciting spots for young people in Saint John. It’s also a first stop for many tourists, which felt like a great opportunity to share my work with new faces. I’m combining traditional handmade techniques with modern-style jewelry, and this space felt like the perfect fit for that vision.
Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: As a child, I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. Life ended up taking me in a different direction — in China, I worked in office settings like law firms and a trade company. But I always kept a sewing machine at home and loved making little dresses for my daughter and her dolls. I don’t have as much time for sewing these days, but it’s something I hope to return to in the future.
Q: Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were starting out?
A: If I could start over, I think I’d take a different approach to the business model. I’d love to build a platform that helps other crocheters showcase and sell their work. I’m also passionate about sharing the craft, so offering workshops for kids or beginners is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve already started exploring some of these ideas — like selling handmade insoles and paintings created by friends right here in the shop.
Q: What do you consider your biggest success so far?
A: For me, the biggest success has been connecting with so many people who share a love for crochet. I’m always touched when customers remember me — some have even become friends over time. More than any sales, it’s those genuine connections that feel like the true reward.
Q: What’s next?
A: I’m working on a series of crochet designs inspired by Saint John — things like the ocean, lighthouses, buildings and seagulls. I really love this warm and welcoming city, and I hope my work helps others see and appreciate its beauty too.
If you’re an entrepreneur with a business that you think would be a great fit in the Waterfront Container Village, and you’re interested in hearing more about available opportunities, email hidden; JavaScript is required — we’d love to hear from you!