The holidays are fast approaching in Waterloo Region! While it’s easy to get overwhelmed by a large shopping list, we’d like to take the chance to remind you of the advantages of shopping locally! Not only is it a great way to support your local economy and help keep your community’s small businesses afloat, but it also makes for a better shopping experience. No jostling with others to scramble for the best deals, and no wandering through massive parking lots looking for your car. Instead enjoy the experience of chatting with a neighbour and receiving a personally-recommended item that you might not have thought of otherwise.

The only problem can be knowing where to start – that’s where we come in! Read on to learn more about our favourite local businesses that offer gifts for every kind of person in your life.

Let’s explore local shops in Waterloo Region:

For the home décor lover:

Explore the Waterloo Region’s local home décor shops for a curated selection of pieces that can help reflect your style.

For the hobbyist:

Whether you’re a gamer, collector, or comic aficionado, support these spots to promote your passions on a community level!

For the foodie:

You can never go wrong when buying someone in your life a delicious meal. Here’s a few of our favourite restaurants, stores, and food experiences in the area:

For the music-lover:

Swap your Spotify playlist for some vinyl and support local music stores at the same time.

elderberry with added plants

For the one with too many plants:

Let your indoor garden thrive, and support Kitchener-Waterloo’s green scene!

For your eco-warrior:

Step into sustainable style at local vintage, zero-waste, and consignment stores!

For someone special:

Get that special someone in your life something extraordinary! There’s many Waterloo Region shops to choose from when shopping for a significant other.

For the fitness lover:

Whether you’re into classes, gym sessions, or quality gear, these places have what you need!

For the movie buffs:

Local cinema – it’s like Netflix, but with better snacks and no connectivity issues.

For the bookworms:

Ever walked into a bookstore “just browsing” and lost an hour before you know it? Here’s our favourite places to get lost in this holiday season.

 

Get social with us

Do you plan on supporting one of these small businesses during the holidays? Or did we miss one of your favourites? We want to hear from you! Follow and tag @builtbyactiva on Instagram or Facebook for a chance to be featured on our social pages!

Happy Shopping!

Category: Live