Small Business Saturday reminds shoppers to love local
While many people have their minds on getting the best Black Friday deal, local businesses are asking shoppers to consider them, as some owners feel the pandemic push of supporting local fade away.
Small Business Saturday marks the day after holiday shoppers go bargain hunting at malls and chain stores to champion local creators and producers.
"Black Friday is all about the big box stores and marking down sales and hoards of people shopping," explained Tracy Losey, owner and operator of Parcel + Prose on 124 Street.
"We're trying to say, okay, the little guys need you too."
Losey says over the pandemic, there was a strong momentum to patronize local boutiques and stores.
"It's actually kind of slipped backwards again," Losey said.
"Local business is really important to the community," she added. "You are not only supporting the business next door, but you are also supporting the family that owns that business.
"We are also employing people who live in the neighbourhood, we are supporting artisans who are making things."
Andrew Danyleyko, an employee at Daisy Chain Book Company, says shopping at a small retailer gives you a chance to get more personalized service and recommendations.
"There's a lot of added value," Danyleyko said. "It's just fun and a way to connect to people."
The small used and new bookstore opened two years ago and hosts local author meet and greets and themed book nights to not only connect customers with each other but the greater literary scene in Edmonton.
"When you purchase something at the store, like Daisy Chain, it directly helps people here and the money often goes right back into the community," he said.
"Really, when you are supporting a small store, you are supporting a whole community," Losey echoed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
A fight to protect the dignity of Michelangelo's David raises questions about freedom of expression
Michelangelo's David has been a towering figure in Italian culture since its completion in 1504. But in the current era of the quick buck, curators worry the marble statue's religious and political significance is being diminished.