About Us

Likely General begin in 2013 as a shop, art and community space created and operated by Brooke Manning throughout it's decade long mark in Toronto. The beloved community space closed in 2025 and you can read about it here.

The first year of it's opening, it quickly grew from an art-based general store into a multi-functional space connecting artists and their work to the public in an organic, ethical, and approachable way. In late 2014 we introduced workshops, events, book launches, lectures, and the Likely General Gallery; a community-minded gallery offering a new exhibit once a month. From 2013 onwards, Likely encouraged the work of over 300 queer and marginalized artists, making it the primary focus of support since 2015.

We are deeply motivated by responsible consumerism, empathy, and transparency. When you support us you are not only directly supporting artist-made micro-independent business but you are helping foster a sense of sustainability and encouragement surrounding artist-made work. We thank you so much for being here with us and helping see us through our darker days of the pandemic. We would not be here without our community of support.

In 2014 we created a monthly donation goal and budget. We distribute these funds throughout our community and beyond based on need and urgency. In 2020 and 2021 we have donated these funds to Foodshare, ESN, Sistering, Nellies Shelter, Toronto Prisoners Project, Toronto Rape Crisis Centre, Wet'suwet'en Legal fund, Ocama Collective, Black Lives Matter, Black Legal Action Centre, and the community of KI.

In 2021 we have donated a total of $2222 to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, $2222 the Legacy of Hope Foundation, $700+ to the Encampment Support Network, $350+ to the Black Legal Action Centre, and $50-100 monthly to various grassroots organizations. We always donate on an ongoing monthly basis to the Ubuntu Learning Village and the Parkdale Community Food Bank since 2019.