As we get closer and closer to the holiday season I would like to encourage you all if you are able to to support local businesses! We are so fortunate to have so many talented local creatives, artisans, chefs and many more who have dedicated their time to serving our community by starting up businesses here. Through local businesses we have been able to discover new cultures that make up the tapestry of our community.
Every $100 dollars spent at a local business equates to $68 dollars circulated back to Edmonton. Contrary to just the $16 dollars that circulates locally when we shop at a chain. Shopping locally needs to become a viable option to help promote the attraction and retention of talent in our region in all sectors. In addition to being great for our local economy, local businesses contribute to a more colourful and unique city-based identity.
Many businesses have learned to adapt to the new realities we are facing by utilizing their online platforms and creating pick up and takeout options to tailor to everyone’s levels of comfort. Small ways to support mean the world to our local businesses and community which could include buying gift cards or grabbing meals to freeze.
Just on Stony Plain Road alone there is a wide variety of stores and businesses that could cover everyone on your shopping list. A few I would like to highlight are Variant Edition (Comics), Revolution Cycle, Aachy's Restaurant (excellent Samosas), Cafe Neo, Namaste India, Chin Kee, Panciteria De Manila, Island Grill, and Celebrate Gluten Free. There is also a wide range of thrift and antique stores where you could find some unique treasures.
There are also other fantastic nodes in the Ward where you can shop for unique local gifts, like in Terra Losa, West Edmonton Mall and Mayfield Common in addition to strip malls around the Ward.
If you would like to explore businesses you may have never tried before please check out Linda Hoang’s Adopt-A-Shop ATB Neighbourhood Hop initiative.
“With winter looming, less walk-by traffic and more people staying at home due to rising cases (and other potential restrictions coming if cases don’t improve), the next few months could be significantly more challenging for small businesses. These businesses are central to the health of our communities—without them, our neighbourhoods would lack the charm and personality that make these places so special! They are as much a part of the fibre of our communities as those of us that live there. That’s why this version of #AdoptAShopYEG is themed around neighbourhoods!”
The Adopt-A-Shop initiative is centred around bringing attention to local businesses and having committed spending by Edmontonians looking to do good and support our local talent. This latest edition is neighbourhood based so you can explore the neighbourhood you live in or if you are comfortable, can explore other neighbourhoods as well.
While we have reached the cut off to sign up for the initiative check out the businesses that were highlighted!
ch. cafeteria / 14802 Stony Plain Road *
Little Village / 14816 Stony Plain Road
The Gilded Rabbit / 10104 149 Street
Doggy Style Deli / 15131 Stony Plain Road
Island Grill / 15203 Stony Plain Road *
Blue Jar Antique Mall / 15230 Stony Plain Road
Ben’s Meats and Deli / 15726 Stony Plain Road
Kazoku Ramen / 16518 100 Avenue *
I would also like to add that TODAY at 5PM there are two fantastic online local markets happening that showcase local talents and products to get all of your holiday shopping done!
Black-Owned Market YEG (swiy.io/bomyeg)
“The Black-Owned Market of Edmonton is a pop-up style market and community-oriented space for Black-owned businesses, entrepreneurs & creatives in Edmonton to showcase their products & services to the wider community.” This market is running online from Friday, November 27th from 5PM until November 30th at 11:59PM.
The Royal Bison (https://royalbison.ca )
The Royal Bison is an online market, art and craft fair running from November 27th to December 9th (12 days!) starting at 5PM today with over 100 local and regional vendors and thousands of items in one shop local Edmonton website!
With all these amazing, fantastic options I will absolutely be taking advantage of these markets that have consolidated hundreds of local vendors in one place! Whether it is a gift for others or yourself I hope you shop local this season.
