By Sarah Finley, ODA Treasurer
Nearly one year after opening its doors in downtown Ottawa, Disco Bungalow is already becoming a favorite stop for locals and visitors alike.
Owner Kaley Dilley, along with employee Julia, says the boutique will celebrate its first full year in business this June — a milestone that feels both exciting and surreal after what started as a spontaneous idea quickly turned into a thriving downtown storefront.
“It all happened really fast,” Kaley said. “We didn’t set out thinking, ‘OK, we’re going to open a store.’ One idea just turned into another.”
The idea first began when Kaley and her best friend decided to create a booth for Ottawa’s Third Friday event last summer. While Kaley doesn’t consider herself a maker, she had long collected vintage items and loved the idea of creating a fun shopping experience.
Then, she noticed the current storefront space was available for lease.
“I was like, ‘Why don’t we just open a little boutique in there?’” she said. “If Third Friday wasn’t a thing, we wouldn’t be here.”
That community connection continues to be one of the things Kaley values most about being located downtown.
“We have great neighbors here on this block,” she said. “A really fun group of businesses that support each other.”
Inside Disco Bungalow, shoppers will find a carefully curated mix of vintage-inspired pieces, handmade goods, locally made products, and intentionally sourced brands focused on sustainability and creativity.
“We really stock the boutique with things that we love to buy,” Kaley explained. “Anyone interested in things you can’t find at big box stores — that’s really our customer.”
The boutique focuses heavily on supporting local makers and offering products that align with values like sustainability, natural materials, and reducing plastic use.
“Everything is very intentional and curated,” she said.
Kaley also shared the story behind the boutique’s unique name.
“They always called my little house ‘The Bungalow,’ and I had disco balls everywhere,” she laughed. “That’s where Disco Bungalow came from.”
Like many small retailers, Disco Bungalow has faced challenges along the way. Kaley acknowledged that operating an independent retail shop in a smaller community can be difficult, especially when many products are intentionally kept affordable for customers.
“Retail is really hard,” she said. “Our average sale is probably around $35 to $40, and we have a lot of products under $20. You have to sell a lot of candles to pay rent.”
Still, the owners remain passionate about the products they bring into the space and the role small businesses play in strengthening the downtown community.
“When you’re buying from us, you’re not just buying our product,” Kaley said. “You’re helping a downtown business survive and helping downtown thrive.”
One of the most rewarding parts of opening the boutique, she said, has been collaborating with other artists, makers, and creatives throughout the area.
“Figuring out ways to support each other, talk about challenges, and get creative together has been really meaningful,” she said.
Looking ahead, Disco Bungalow has plenty to be excited about. The business plans to remain in its current location through the summer before moving later this year to a larger space on LaSalle Street in downtown Ottawa. The move will allow for expanded displays, more creative opportunities, and potentially extended store hours.
“There are a lot of exciting things in the works,” Kaley said with a smile. “Some things we can’t disclose yet.”
Julia, who studied fashion and visual design, is especially excited for the additional creative freedom the new location will bring.
“I’m excited for more space and more opportunities for displays and visuals,” she said. “It’ll be exciting to see it grow and get more foot traffic on the main drag.”
For Kaley, the future of Disco Bungalow is deeply tied to her love for Ottawa itself.
“I love going to little coastal towns and popping in and out of cute boutiques,” she said. “I really see that for Ottawa.”
While she believes downtown already offers that experience, she hopes even more visitors discover what the community has to offer.
“I just love this community so much,” Kaley said. “I’m really driven to share it with more people.”
About Ottawa’s Business of the Month
Each month, a downtown business will be randomly selected to be featured as the business of the month. Be on the lookout for our next featured downtown business!
