Business Spotlight: Maple Leaf Rubber Stamp
Hours: Monday – Thursday (8:00 AM – 4:30 PM), Friday (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM).
Location: 1211 Richard Avenue
Website: https://www.mapleleafrubberstamp.ca/
Provides: Rubber stamps, award ribbons, nameplates, promotional buttons, corporate seals, brass tags + more.
Celebrating New Business Week:
Maple Leaf Rubber Stamp Blends Tradition with Innovation
As a part of News Business Week 2026, the West End BIZ is celebrating the businesses, new and newly owned, that continue to shape the neighbourhood’s economy and character.
Tucked along Richard Avenue, Maple Leaf Rubber Stamp is one of those businesses. With roots stretching back nearly a century, it’s a company built on craftsmanship, resilience, and now, a new chapter of ownership.
Preserving History While Moving Forward
When owner Willows Christopher took over the business, it wasn’t just an investment; it was a commitment to preserving something rare.
“There are a lot of things that are going away that should be preserved,” he explains. “We still have files from the 1910s and 1920s, and we’re making products for companies that have been with us for decades.”
That sense of continuity reflects a broader theme across the West End, where long-standing businesses and new entrepreneurs exist side by side, something the West End BIZ actively works to support through initiatives like New Business Week.
A Business Built by Hand… and Maintained by them too
While technology plays a role in today’s operations, much of the work at Maple Leaf Rubber Stamp remains hands-on. From custom rubber stamps and engraved nameplates to signage and specialty items, each product is tailored to the customer’s needs.
In the back of the shop, you’ll find a mix of old and new equipment working side by side. Laser engravers hum alongside legacy machines, including a rare Ludlow Typograph, used to cast type with molten metal, and a hot stamping press dating back to the 1940s.
For Willows, that balance is key.
“We’re modernizing the systems and processes, but keeping the quality and heritage of the company,” he says. “You have to learn how to do everything well before you expand.”
More Than Just Stamps
Although the name suggests a singular focus, the business offers far more than traditional rubber stamps. Their work includes engraving, custom branding materials, and specialty manufacturing for clients across Winnipeg and beyond.
Chances are you’ve already seen their work.
“It would be hard to find a building without a nameplate or sign that’s been engraved by us,” Willows notes. “Or an office that doesn’t have a stamp we’ve made.”
From local businesses down the street to organizations across Canada, Maple Leaf Rubber Stamp serves a wide-ranging customer base, many of whom have been coming back for years.
Rooted in the West End
Now operating out of the West End for several years, Willows says the neighbourhood has proven to be a strong fit.
With close access to major routes like Portage Avenue, Route 90, and Notre Dame Avenue, the location offers both convenience and connectivity. But beyond logistics, it’s the character of the area that stands out.
“There’s a good mix here,” he says. “Businesses, residential, shops—it feels like a neighbourhood that works the way it should.”
That sense of balance is part of what keeps long-standing businesses in the area, and why new ones continue to put down roots. Just this last year Willows acquired a local competitor, CanMark Industries, and moved it into 1211 Richard Ave.
Looking Ahead
As Maple Leaf Rubber Stamp approaches its next chapter, the focus remains on thoughtful growth. With new equipment opening the door to expanded product lines and ongoing improvements to efficiency and turnaround times, the future is full of potential.
But for Willows, the priority is clear: get the fundamentals right and build from there.
“We’re still learning every day,” he says. “Once we’ve really set that base, then we can look at expanding further.”
A Message to the Community
When asked what he’d share with the West End community, Willows keeps it simple:
“Support local. If you don’t support local, there won’t be any more local.”
Supporting Businesses at Every Stage
From legacy companies like Maple Leaf Rubber Stamp to new ventures just getting started, the West End BIZ works to create opportunities for visibility, connection, and growth.
New Business Week is one of those efforts designed to spotlight local businesses, encourage community support, and strengthen the local economy during a time when small businesses are navigating ongoing challenges.