The newest addition to the River Market at Westminster Quay is tiny in name but huge in its mission.

Briana Tomkinson, better known as the driving force behind the New Westminster blog Tenth To the Fraser, is helping with the launch of Tiny, a store that showcases locally grown and produced products in a "tiny" storefront that comes in at around 200 square feet.

"All of our products are locally made with love and centred around food and the foodie culture," said Tomkinson, who works three days a week at the store that's open Tuesday to Saturday.

Armed with her iPad and cellphone, Tomkinson is able to multitask as she tries to build the store's website, www.tinygoods.ca, for a launch later this month.

Tomkinson said she was asked by the River Market's Mark Shieh to lend her expertise to Tiny, and soon she was working alongside Miranda McMurray, whose company Hudsonny "creates cute stuff for folks who like cute stuff."

In fact, the only current non-food products in Tiny are Hudsonny products like the tooth fairy pillow and the yoo hoo bunny.

"In the future, I plan to add some arts and crafts," said Tomkinson, "but right now, the focus is on food."

And what a variety of locally produced foods is on display at Tiny.

Locally canned salmon sits alongside jams and nuts. And Tomkinson's personal favourites come from Vancouver company Cocoa Nymph, which produces a variety of chocolate and sweet products.

"My favourite item is the neapolitan marshmallows," said Tomkinson. "The chocolate is also great because they have unexpected combinations, like chocolate with toffee, coconut and raspberries."

What makes Tiny even more appealing is most items are in $5 sample packs, meaning that if you have a craving, it won't cost much to satisfy that itch.

The storefront was designed by Marianne Amodio, who also designed the neighbouring Great Wall of Tea. Amodio was able to transform a tiny space into an airy space rather ingeniously.

For example, old wooden pallets form part of Tiny's ceiling, with the lights hanging from those pallets. The wall is pegboard, meaning with just some hooks, all the items can be efficiently displayed.

The rolling modular display tables can double as Tomkinson's desk and office space, and there's enough room for several people to browse at the same time.

When you look up at Tiny's sign, it's made from butcher's twine and large nails to spell out the four letters of Tiny.

With such seemingly tight quarters, that encourages customers to ask questions and learn more about the sense of community Tiny is trying to create.

"In my mind, Tiny refers to the production side," said Tomkinson. "We want the small local businesses to have a place to sell their products. We want them to know that you don't have to be in Wal-Mart to be successful. The secret is all of the products (in Tiny) are made with love."

To encourage people to give Tiny a try, Tomkinson offers up a different free sample each day. Invariably, those who try the sample are intrigued enough to buy some other product and another convert to the Tiny community is chalked up.

And to add just a bit more fun, Tomkinson has added a fun question to the wall that customers are invited to answer.

"What makes you smile?" is the question and the answers range from "Dorian Gray tea next door" to "knock knock jokes" to "fancy breakfast."

When Tomkinson is asked to add her two bits to the wall, she has only one answer: "New Westminster."

"I love this city and I love being part of Tiny," said Tomkinson. "I think we're creating something really unique and very special."

Tiny is located on the main floor of the River Market and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.

www.twitter.com/AlfieLau