We all know that shopping local is important, and you can read more about why on our blog: 5 Reasons to Shop Local. We wanted to shout out some of our favourite local spots that we visit in our cities that are unique and make our communities a better place.
Our Favourite Local Spots
Here at Unicorn Marketing Co., we have team members across Canada, and even one in the United States, who all love shopping local. Check out a few of our favourite local joints that we love to support in our communities!
Hope | North Vancouver, BC
Hunter & Hare: A must-visit in the lower mainland, Hunter & Hare is a community consignment store – the kind that carries good quality, and stylish pieces that are well-priced and accessible. Their motto is believing that garments should be recycled and wanting to create a space where you can find pieces that match your personal style – without spending a fortune.
Nemesis Coffee: Take a break at Nemesis Coffee and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee and tasty pastry. At Nemesis, they have worked towards being boots on the ground at origin and, in their time, have developed lasting relationships with their farming partners. Their coffee has become so much more than what’s in the cup. It’s their commitment to honor the people.
Cream Pony: What’s better than donuts and fried chicken? Cream Pony is a place for neighbours and friends of all cultures, ages, and abilities to feel at home — and, of course, to eat the best darn fried chicken and donuts North Vancouver has ever seen!
Lift Breakfast Bakery Ltd: Lift is a breakfast bistro and bakery in bustling Lower Lonsdale offering from-scratch all-day breakfast and brunch dishes complemented with handmade pastries, artisan bread, and amazing coffee.
Helicon Books: Helicon Books is a proudly independent bookstore, situated in North Vancouver’s thriving Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood, nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains. They sell a wide selection of literary fiction, short stories, poetry, travel and nature writing, belles lettres, and coffee-table tomes – they value literary merit and beautiful production.
Sofia | Vancouver, BC
Cafe Calabria: The sweetest Italian cafe! In an atmosphere of warmth and friendliness, they strive to give customers the best experience by appealing to all of their senses. Reproductions of Roman statues and the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling lend grace to the decor. The mixed aroma of espresso, gelato, and paninis is comforting and enticing. And don’t forget about the taste of their rich coffee blend that ties all the senses together.
La Grotta Del Formaggio: The founder, Fortunato Bruzzese, brought with him to Canada a love and respect for the foods of his home country, and in 1977, he opened La Grotta Del Formaggio. A small Italian deli filled with the best ingredients Italy has to offer, it is situated in the heart of Vancouver’s ‘Little Italy’ supplying Vancouverites with high-quality foods from across the Mediterranean.
Peaked Pies: A taste of home for anyone from down under! Peaked Pies brings you the ultimate experience in Australian meat pies, artisan coffee, and desserts. They are proud to offer distinguished quality and unparalleled service – all while having a lot of fun! Their pies are baked daily and are all handmade right in the store!
Moonstone Jewelry: The perfect place to get a gift for a loved one – or yourself! Moonstone specializes in trendy, quality jewelry to celebrate milestones and everyday moments. Founded by Steve & Ava Gosling, the core concept of Moonstone is to provide ethically sourced jewelry you can be proud to wear. They believe that sustainability and ethics are foundational requirements for business and not simply an option. They work with trusted gemstone experts to ensure the materials are ethically sourced and Fair Trade.
Madison | Kamloops, BC
Far & Wide: This beautiful boutique is a one-stop shop to find anything you could possibly want to buy for yourself or for a gift! It has a great selection of home decor, beauty products, vintage finds, fashion pieces, and so much more. It is a women-owned shop that supports the community and stocks LGBTQ2S+, BIPOC, and women-owned brands for a product mix that is truly unique.
Bonus: Listen to our Magic Hour Podcast with the owners of Far + Wide!
Gold Leaf Pasteries: A cute little shop with the best variety of delicious pastries around! After going to pastry school in France and working for top Canadian companies, the owner landed in Kamloops and recreates all of her trademark French delicacies. Whether you are sitting down for breakfast, picking up a beautiful birthday cake, or just grabbing a quick treat, you will keep coming back for more!
Gin Lane & Red Collar Brewing: Looking for a cold craft beer or a fancy cocktail? Get both from this incredible company located in the heart of Downtown Kamloops. With a selection of board games, regular events, BYOF (Bring Your Own Food), and a dog-friendly patio, it is the best place for everyone to hang out!
Nigel’s: The perfect place for a night out in Kamloops! This speakeasy is located in Red Beard Cafe – also a favourite joint with incredible food. Escape into a moody space with a modern take on a speakeasy with hip-hop music and an intimate setting. A menu of drinks offers a wide variety of flavours, and they even offer a dealer’s choice!
Brownstone: This beautiful restaurant is a must for a memorable lunch with friends or a special celebration. The warm atmosphere is inviting and the outdoor patio makes you feel as though you are in the French countryside. Their delicious menu is made up of unique dishes and flavours that you continue to keep going back for. Watch their feature on the Food Network.
Daphne | Kitchener – Waterloo, ON
The Yeti Cafe: This fun and quirky spot is the perfect place to grab some food and a good drink! Enjoy one of their many events in their cute and eclectic space.
Camellia Bake Shop: Camellia Bake Shop is a high-end café in the KW region with European inspired, allergy-friendly baked goods and incredible ethically sourced coffee & tea. The café is a central hub for anyone and everyone to connect, share a meal, and feel comfortable.
The Timeless Material Company: This company serves customers with a variety of reclaimed wood products and architectural salvage. They carefully curate and meticulously reclaim material from hundreds of historic buildings including century homes, factories, wineries, barns, and churches. In doing so, the company has diverted over a million board feet of material otherwise destined for the landfill.
Lucero Canteen: This cute cafe serves up amazing coffee and freshly made pastries – what’s better than that? It is the perfect place to stop by on a lunch break or to meet friends and catch up in this adorable little spot.
Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters: If you are looking for an incredible cup of coffee, look no further! The roasting team at Smile Tiger strives to find powerful flavour profiles within each coffee without losing their delicate notes.
Tia | Pensacola, FL
Dela Beauty Bar: Get those brows on point with Dela Beauty Bar! With a team of professionals, Dela Beauty Bar offers services specializing in eyebrow shaping, micro-blading, and lash lifting. Feel like your best self after paying them a visit!
Makers Cafe: The cutest cafe that looks like it’s straight out of a magazine. Enjoy some food and drinks while lounging in their Instagram-worthy booths and soak up some quality time with friends.
Wild Lemon: A fitness studio and family that is grounded in Pilates. The studio is centered around a customized approach for each client. They lean into experimental, complementary modalities to take a holistic approach to fitness. Their doors are open to everybody, and support people on their different paths.
Fiore: The most beautiful flowers you can find! Fiore is a full-service florist that delivers fresh flowers and plants to Pensacola and the surrounding areas. They specialize in weddings and event design, and they have extensive experience working with destination brides. Their studio and boutique are located, in the heart of beautiful downtown Pensacola.
Thanks for Reading about our Favourite Shopping Local Spots!
Read why it is essential to shop local on our blog 5 Reasons to Shop Local.
Listen to our episode of Magic Hour where we talk with the owners of Far + Wide. Learn more about life behind the scenes of owning and operating a brick-and-mortar shop, what it was like starting a second company during COVID, and how important it is to support women in business.
Connect with us on Instagram and check out our other blog posts.
