Your Loonie Goes Further When it Stays Close to Home

Small businesses, including locally owned franchises, make a BIG impact; from sponsoring community initiatives, to donating time and goods to local fundraisers, to bringing in specialty items for their customers. They give back to their communities in ways that multinational giants just don’t.

The money you spend locally is recirculated back into the community through things like wages for local workers, locally sourced goods and services, municipal taxes, and donations to local causes.

Loonies Spent at Multinationals Fly Away, and They Don’t Come Back

When small businesses thrive, they channel their success back into the community. Because of this, every dollar spent at a local small business is six times more impactful in the local economy than the same amount spent at a multinational.*
 
* Source: CFIB, Small Business, Big Impact: Small Retailers’ Local Contributions, October 2023. Research report sponsored by Scotiabank, in partnership with LOCO BC.

Events

Two young women sitting at a cafe, smiling and writing a Thank You Note to their favourite local business as part of CFIB's Big Thank You Contest
The Big Thank You Contest

October 1 to 28, 2024

Send your favourite small business a Thank You Note for a chance to win BIG!

Contest presented in partnership with Scotiabank, Interac, and Chase.

Enter the Big Thank You Contest

A female retail employee handing a customer her purchase, smiling with a
Small Business Saturday

November 30, 2024

Take part in a special day to celebrate shopping local during the holidays.

Small Business Saturday is presented in partnership with American Express®

Learn more about Small Business Saturday

Featured Business Owners

Get to know the owners of your favourite local businesses

A photo of Karen McKee, owner of Warm Buddy Company, sitting in front of collection of her Warm Buddy bears and smiling.

Warm Buddy Company

North Vancouver, BC

Meet Karen McKee

Founded in 1995 by former nurse Karen Mckee, Warm Buddy has been providing innovative solutions to chronic pain and stress relief for over 20 years. Karen's background in nursing and her passion for improving well-being, led her to create the first Warm Buddy heat pad. 

Warm Buddy’s Bravo Bear was featured in our 2022 and 2023 Big Thank You Boxes. 

warmbuddy.com
Two photos side by side. One of Pieter and Geraldine, owners of Birchtree Gallery and Island Potato Soap, standing in a field and smiling. The other of Pieter holding an uncut column of potato soap.

Birch Tree Gallery & Island Potato Soap Company

Victoria-by-the-Sea, PEI

MEET Pieter & Geraldine

Pieter Ijsselstein and Geraldine Ysselstein are the creative duo behind Birch Tree Gallery and Island Potato Soap Company. The gallery showcases the island’s beauty and culture through Geraldine’s paintings, local Mi'kmaq art, pottery and other crafts. Visitors can also pick up Pieter’s handmade soaps and skincare products, which are infused with the benefits of raw potato juice. 

Island Potato Soap Company soaps were included in our 2023 Big Thank You Box. 

islandpotatosoap.com
Two photos side by side. One of Judith and Justin, owners of Bubbles and Balms, and the other of Judith unpacking stock in the Bubbles and Balms store.

Bubbles & Balms

Lower Norton, NB

Meet Judith & justin

Judith and Justin Sweeney are the founders of Bubbles & Balms. Since 2014, they've created natural, handcrafted products for dry and sensitive skin, inspired by their experiences with eczema and allergies. They lead with kindness in both their personal and professional lives, investing 5% of each sale into an affordable housing fund. 

Bubbles & Balms products were included in our 2023 Big Thank You Box. 

bubblesandbalms.ca
Two photos side by side. One of Bev Penner, owner of Prairie Oils and Vinegars, and the other of a selection of assorted olive oils from Prairie Oils and Vinegars.

Prairie Oils & Vinegars

Steinbach, MB

Meet Bev Penner

Inspired by a tasting journey in Portland, Oregon, Bev Penner founded Prairie Oils & Vinegars in November, 2012, to bring high-quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar to her community. The shop offers a diverse selection of Super Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oils and naturally flavoured vinegars, all reflecting Bev's passion for exceptional ingredients and flavours.

Prairie Olis & Vinegars' products were included in our 2023 Big Thank You Box.

prairieoils.ca
Two photos side by side. One of JD and Vicky Dixon, owners of Dixon's Distilled Spirits, and the other of two people clinking glasses of Dixon's spirits.

Dixon’s Distilled Spirits

Guelph, ON

Meet JD & Vicky Dixon

JD and Vicky Dixon, the dynamic couple behind Dixon’s Distilled Spirits, began their journey with a simple conversation over drinks on their backyard deck. Their shared passion for fine spirits and commitment to quality craftsmanship have propelled Dixon’s to the forefront of the craft distillery scene in Ontario since 2013. 

Dixon’s maple syrup and BBQ sauce were included in the 2022 Big Thank You Box. 

dixonsdistilledspirits.com
Two photos side by side. One of Two employees at Mac's Fireweed Books standing next to a mascot for the arctic winter games, and the other an exterior shot of Mac's Fireweed Books.

Mac’s Fireweed Books

Whitehorse, YT

Meet Sherry Sorg

Nestled on Whitehorse's Main Street, Mac’s Fireweed Books has charmed readers for over 50 years. Sherry paints a picture of a vibrant community hub where regulars mingle with curious tourists, all drawn by the store's eclectic charm. In an age of digital reading, Mac’s Fireweed Books continues to celebrate the joy of turning pages and the magic of literary discovery. 

Mac’s Fireweed Books’ notebooks and tote bags were included in the 2023 Big Thank You Box. 

macsbooks.ca
Two photos side by side. One of the Little family, owners of Briggs and Little. The other of a Briggs and Little reusable shopping bag filled with Briggs and Little yarn.

Briggs & Little Woolen Mills Ltd.

York County, NB

Meet The Little Family

Briggs & Little Woolen Mills Ltd. has over 165 years of heritage in crafting fine wool products. Founded in 1857 by George Lister, the mill has persevered through generations, blending tradition with quality craftsmanship. Today, under the leadership of Mike Little and family, Briggs & Little continues its legacy of excellence in York Mills, NB, Canada.

Briggs & Little were one of the winners of our 2022 Big Thank You Contest.

briggsandlittle.com
Two photos side by side, one of Tarah Coates, owner of SurfSup Eco Shop, and one of the exterior of SurfSup Eco Shop

SurfSup Eco Shop

Goderich & Kincardine, ON

Meet Tarah Coates

Tarah Coates, founder of SurfSup Eco Shop, discovered the thrill of freshwater surfing after she traded Halifax's Atlantic coast for Lake Huron. With locations in Kincardine and Goderich, SurfSup Eco Shop provides rentals, lessons, and gear for surfing, paddle boarding, and skateboarding. 

SurfsUp Eco Shop was one of the winners of our 2023 Big Thank You Contest. 

surfsupecoshop.com

Access Campaign Resources

Are you a small business owner or an organization that supports small business? Check out some of the ways you can get involved with our #SmallBusinessEveryDay initiative.  

 

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Thank you for keeping your loonie local
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With thanks to:
LOCO BC and Meta for their support.