Thinking about it, I spend a lot of time talking about the big guys: popular retail, grocery and restaurant chains, both national and international. New products, sales, promos… I’m all over it, like a shopaholic with a platinum credit card. (Or me, with my platinum credit card.)
However, it’s come to my attention that I simply don’t spend enough time tooting the horns of local businesses – and the owners who dedicate a large part of their lives to creating quality, unique (and often delicious) products.
It’s time to change that.
Home grown businesses not only offer local character and prosperity; they build strong communities by sustaining vibrant town centers, linking neighbours in economic and social relationships, and contributing to local causes. And the distinctiveness! Small businesses produce products based, not on a national sales plan, but on their own interests and the needs of their customers – which guarantees a much broader range of product choices. In fact, some of my most unique purchases have been from gift shops, clothing boutiques and cafés in my very own neighbourhood.
Do you shop your neighbourhood?
I’m so pleased to announce my collaboration with Yellow Pages, a company with a century-long legacy of working with Canada’s small businesses. This year, I was one of five writers from across Canada selected to create authentic and original local stories coming from real neighbourhoods and real residents. Introducing Shop The Neighbourhood.
On my feature list? How about Elm Hill Cookies, chock full of sweet treats baked fresh every morning in the heart of downtown Oakville. Or Sienna Boutique, an upscale women’s clothing store serving a community of fashion lovers for almost three years. And I can’t forget about Cagneys, a gastronomic fixture in Streetsville for the last 40 years.
Curious? Read my “Meet Your Neighbours” profiles on www.shoptheneighbourhood.ca. Here, I’ll introduce you to some of my favourite local businesses, and get up close and personal with the shop owners. In essence, I’ll show you why we all should #shopthehood.
And, save the date: on Saturday, November 29th, in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa, Shop The Neighbourhood encourages Canadians to support the small businesses in their communities by making a local purchase on that day.
So, who wants to meet me for a sweet treat at Elm Hill Cookies?
Small businesses play a key role in creating strong local economies and contribute to making neighbourhoods thriving places to live, work and play. Shop The Neighbourhood is an event that celebrates their invaluable contribution to our communities and a reminder for all Canadians of how shopping locally makes a difference in all our lives. For more information, local shopping tips, and much more, visit Shop The Neighbourhood on Facebook.
I try to support as many small businesses as I can. I’ve found quite a few here in Barrie already :)
good to see Yellow Pages keeping up with the modern times
I live right downtown, which is full of small businesses. I try to do a lot of my shopping in those stores, if I’m able. Unfortunately, most don’t last very long :(
I try to shop local and with small business in town. I will admit though I have no problem shopping online when prices are so good that I can not not shop that way. We live in a small community so choices are limited.
I always try to shop local whenever possible. I hear complaints about expense whenever i tell people i shop at certain shops, but they really dont understand the hard work these small business owners go though, and that is the reason behind the prices.
I find we shop the neighbourhood more in the summer when we live at our trailer which is located in a small town. But in the winter when we are in the city, the only stores close by are the big box, chain stores so I find we shop them more.
we support it as much as we can, some things we have to other places but we really try to keep it local.
our little town needs some much support like this , i always try and shop the neighborhood !
We definitely shop in our neighbourhood as we are pretty much downtown!
I live downtown in a small city (approx. 100,000 population.) I love going to my local butcher instead of the chain grocery stores. The prices area actually better and they carry more unique items.
We like to try and support our smaller shops where we can.
If you are in the GTA area I highly recommend No25 Accessories located in Brampton.
She carries some STUNNING jewelry in every category – every day wear, statement pieces, wedding stuff galore… and the prices CANNOT BE BEAT!!
I love shopping the neighborhood!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/No25AccessoriesBoutique
I love to shop local. I’m so likely that I live in a community that has awesome stores so I am able to do so.
I prefer shopping local. I like to know where my food comes from.
I try to shop locally as much as possible (when not online shopping that is :)). It’s not to support your “neighbours”.
I live in heritage Port Hope. We have such the neatest little shops.. all sorts of things.
I PREFER shopping locally, especially when I’m gifting. Here I find hand made everything, soaps, candles, clothes, Indian crafts of jewellery, clothing, shoes etc.
I buy at the Farmer’s Market as I can afford to, there is nothing like those fresh picked fruits and veggies!
what a great initiative! i make an effort to shop local and support businesses in my neck of the woods.
This is great, I love shopping at the small shops when I walk in the streets of Toronto
there needs to be an app to find deals on purses
I saved Saturday, November 29th on my calandar!
LOVE Shopping!
I love to Shop Local! I try to stick to this as much as possible
This is neat! I’m definitely saving the date for this!
nothing like fresh baked cookies
Oh I wish I could have a cookie.
that is a great idea and very neat too! i love supporting locals!
Totally agree every-one should support the town in to which they live, good article.
It is really important to shop where you live, I always shop in Vernon.
Great job on this campaign! Your stories are inspiring me to take a little trip to your neck of the woods in 2015 ;).
There are some nice neighbourhoods in Vancouver I love to shop in and just feel the vibe. South Granville is a favourite destination of mine.
I live in Newfoundland and we have many small family businesses and i love to support them