Welcome to our Home for the Holidays Series! We asked our employees for their favourite shop local spots in the KW Region… and we’ve got the deets! Discover the best spots to shop for the home décor lover, the foodie, the eco-warrior and more! Support these businesses online, visit their shops or purchase a gift card this holiday gift-giving season. Let’s support small businesses and shop locally!

Let’s explore local shops in the KW Region:

For the home décor lover:

The one who can’t get enough of decorative throw pillows, chunky blankets, scented candles and knick-knacks for the home! Check out our round-up of places to shop for the home décor lover in your life!

• Tepperman’s – Find Something For Every Room At Your Local Tepperman’s! 
• St. Jacobs Furnishings – Canadian Company that provides local, handcrafted Canadian furniture
• Hauser – contemporary outdoor and indoor furniture and home décor
• The Art of Home – a home-lifestyle boutique
• Sweet & Spice Candles – 100% soy wax candles hand-poured in Waterloo
• Gifted Waterloo – specializing in gifts, home décor and paper goods
• Devitt House – curated goods for you and your home
• Cornerstone Home Interior – eclectic and classical home furnishings
• Krajewski Gallery – gallery and picture framing
• Not Just for the Garden – home décor, garden planters and furniture store

 

For the kids (and those young at heart):

The ones that love new games, vintage games, superheroes and comic books! Check out our round-up of places to shop for kids (and those young at heart).

• J & J Cards and Collectibles – collectables, games and puzzles
• Good Time Games – video gaming store
• Carry-On Comics and Books – a one-stop-shop for vintage and new comics

For the foodie in your life:

The one that loves all things food & drink. Check out our round-up of local distilleries, breweries, chocolate and cheese… what more could you want in life?

• Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewery – distillery, brewery and restaurant (check out their gingerbread gin)
• Block Three Brewing Co. – locally crafted beers
• Dana Shortt Gourmet and Gifts – gourmet food shop 
• Aura-la Pastries and Provisions – craft bean-to-bar chocolate & gourmet food store
• Play a Latte Café – locally roasted coffees and espresso-based drinks
• Reid’s Chocolates – a variety of chocolates & nuts
• Vincenzo’s – specialty gourmet food store
• La Fromagerie on Lex – a one-of-a-kind cheese boutique
• Relish Cooking Studio – a cooking school and retail store located in Kitchener
• Swine & Vine – Uptown Waterloo’s newest upscale dining experience 
• Fore Quarter Butcher Shop – butcher shop, serving local, hormone and antibiotic-free meats
• The Culinary Studio – Waterloo Region’s Premier Recreational Cooking School

For the one with too many plants:

The one who has way too many plants, but always wants more (we don’t judge). Check out these local spots for the plant lover in your life!

• Air Life Greenery – creating home decor for air plants
• Living Fresh – floral art to celebrate life’s moments
• The Witty and Co – products that are well designed and celebrate the maker
• Charmed Flowers – modern flowers with delivery in the KW Region
• The Girl Floral – pretty things to bring you happiness
• Colour Paradise Greenhouses – an impressive selection of plants
• Gold Leaf Botanicals – Waterloo’s #1 tropical house plant boutique
• Belgian Nursery – Belgian Nursery is a specialized greenhouse destination for the community 

For your eco-warrior:

The one who loves consignment stores, vintage clothing and zero-waste products. Our eco-friendly round-up is sure to please!

• Molloy’s – eco-friendly soaps, detergents, cleaning products and bath and body products
• House of Bamboo – sustainable lifestyle brand
• Carousel Clothing – consignment store and fashion boutique
• Artisanal Design Co – curated vintage and upcycled clothing and accessories
• The Clothing Exchange – making second-hand look Gucci
• Hello Again – designer fashion at consignment prices
• White Tiger Vintage – vintage clothing boutique
• Le Prix – curated sustainable fashion and lifestyle boutique 

For someone special:

Who doesn’t love a little extra sparkle during the holidays? Check out our round-up of local spots for that special person on your list!

• Harmony – meaningful products for special memories
• F.J. Brown & Son – jewellery and giftware store
• Frank’s Jewellers – jewellery and diamond shop
• The Truth Beauty Company – natural and organic beauty products

For the fitness lover:

The one who loves to be on the move! Check out these local fitness studios to purchase a gift card, personal training session or membership for the fitness lover in your life.

• Proactive Training and Nutrition – a high-intensity interval training workout
• Hero Yoga Waterloo – hot yoga and barre classes 
• The Fit Club by Price Health –  fun and unique blend of personal training and group fitness classes
• SPINCO Waterloo – full-body spin classes
• Elite Training Facility – fitness classes and registered massage therapy 
• The Sweat Box – group fitness boot camp
• Big Bliss Yoga – a community of people who step up for one another and champion each other
• Elite Training Facility – A Kitchener training facility offering classes for ALL levels of fitness from beginner to elite 
• Grand River Rocks – A 14,000-square-foot indoor rock-climbing facility
• Hustle + Flow – Experience the magic of movement and connection 

For the movie buffs:

The one that loves all movies, new and old! Support these local cinemas by purchasing tickets, or buying some merch!

• Apollo Cinema – the best in contemporary, classic, and cult films
• Princess Cinemas –  a true Canadian independent cinema, owner-operated and owner-programmed

For the bookworms:

Independent bookstores are cornerstones of the local community, providing a haven for those who are passionate about reading. Expand your literary horizons and visit one of the many local bookstores the Region has to offer.

• KW Bookstore – A used bookstore
• Words Worth Books Ltd – A valuable resource for procuring unique, quality books and magazines of all descriptions
• Old Goat Books – Amazing selection of old and new books

Why shop local?

Support your local economy

Supporting local businesses means supporting the owners, the employees and their families. Feel good knowing the money you are spending will directly help the owners put food on the table, and keep their lights on.

Find unique and creative gifts

Typically, small communities have incredible local talent, especially when it comes to unique and creative products on shelves from local business owners who are passionate about what they do!

A better shopping experience

Local shop owners and employees are generally more knowledgeable and typically provide a delightful personalized service when selling their products.

Shopping locally is better for the environment

Shopping locally is a great way to help the environment stay cleaner. If you’re lucky enough to be able to walk to local shops, it cuts down on emissions from your car. Shopping locally also eliminates the carbon footprint of delivery and packaging materials associated with online shopping.

Generate future growth in your community

Your purchase from a small business has a far-reaching impact on the community. Shopping at a small store helps them stay open and thriving. This way the business can add new products, maintain its physical storefront, and create a genuinely great brand.

 

Get social with us

Do you plan on supporting one of these small businesses during the holidays? 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!