Can you help us find Mike Myers?
That’s the question Baggins Shoes, a Victoria staple since 1969, is asking in their bold new social media campaign. The team is hoping to send a custom pair of Converse sneakers to the famed Canadian actor after his appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) in early March. Myers wore a shirt that read “Canada’s Not For Sale,” and the phrase quickly went viral.
But Baggins wanted to do more than just create another piece of merchandise. They focused on creating one-of-a-kind sneakers with a clear, fun message: 'Elbows Up'.
“It was a phrase we felt had energy, and something we could actually do something cool with,” said Tara Savrtka, owner of Baggins Shoes. “When we saw the response after Mike’s appearance on SNL, we knew we had an opportunity to do something special. Elbows Up isn’t just a slogan. It’s part of our Canadian identity, something people can really rally behind.”
The phrase Elbows Up comes from Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe, who is famously remembered for his resilient and gritty play. He would head into the corners with his raised elblows a focal point to fend off any opponents.
This served as a symbol of strength, resilience, and the Canadian spirit – something Baggins felt perfectly captured the message they wanted to send with their shoes.
But it wasn’t just about making shoes; it was about getting them to Myers.
“We didn’t want to just send him a pair of shoes and hope for the best,” Savrtka explained. “We wanted to create a fun, grassroots campaign."
Baggins made the strategic decision to leverage social media to amplify their message. While it would have been easy to just tag Mike Myers directly, they wanted to make it more interactive and get people involved.
The shoes are custom Converse sneakers with the Elbows Up phrase printed boldly across the side. They also feature a maple leaf, a clear nod to the Canadian pride that drives the campaign. As for the T-shirts, the team decided to do something a little different there, too. They printed the phrase Elbows Up on the elbows of the shirts, a design choice that Savrtka herself is particularly excited about.
“I really love the shirt. We haven’t seen anyone else put Elbows Up on the elbows, and it just feels like a fun way to embrace the spirit of it,” Savrtka said. “We’re definitely printing some for ourselves. It’s something I’m personally really excited about.”
The campaign has resonated with Canadians and Myers fans alike, but it’s also a way for Baggins to make a statement.
“As a Canadian company, we’re proud of our heritage,” Savrtka said. “We’ve been in business for 56 years now, and we want people to know we’re Canadian first.”
This campaign has a deeper meaning for Baggins, and it’s one they hope will inspire others to take pride in their roots.
“There’s been a lot of well-known Canadian celebrities who have chosen to stay silent or fade into the background,” Savrtka added. “But it’s refreshing to see someone like Mike Myers use his platform to show his support for Canada. It’s important for all of us to stand up for what we believe in.”
Beyond the campaign itself, the company is also navigating its own transition from a downtown storefront to an online-only business.
“We’ve been online for over 20 years now, so it wasn’t a huge shift for us," Savrtka noted about their move from an in-person store to just online.
For those looking to purchase their own Elbows Up Converse, Baggins is offering them on their website. The shoes take about 10 days to create, while the T-shirts will be available in a few weeks.
Savrtka is hoping the shoes make it to Myers soon, but she’s also excited to see the reaction from Canadians who are rallying behind the campaign.
“We’ve already seen a great response, with a lot of people sharing our video and engaging with the posts. It’s been really fun to see it take off. Now, we’re just hoping that with a little more push, we can get the shoes to Mike and see him rocking them,” Savrtka said. “At the end of the day, it’s all about showing support for Canada and having fun with it.”
And if Mike Myers happens to see the campaign? “A photo would be great,” Savrtka laughed. “But a video of him with the shoes would be even better.”
