small businesses to support instead of amazon

It is Amazon Prime Days right now (as all the ad’s on my devices seem to tell me) but I will not be taking part. It has been years since I have purchased anything from Amazon and to be honest I haven’t missed it at all.

I live in a place where I am able to easily get anything I may need without having it shipped to me and it is very rare that there is something that I need to have right away that I can’t go out and get.

There are many reasons why I am against Amazon from the fact that they don’t pay taxes which is one reason why they can charge less than other retailers, they also treat their workers horribly in warehouses around the world, with stories of ambulances parked outside since so many people collapsed in the heat, to people taping bottles to their legs to pee since there is no options for breaks. Finally in a world where most people are staying inside more and more small businesses are going out of business, not able to keep up with the pricing and shipping of the giant of Amazon.

Now I know that there are people where Amazon is the only option, but that is not who I am talking to. Instead I am talking to those who can choose to take your business elsewhere and support the people in your own community. Amazon (and Jeff Bezos) has made billons of dollars in 2020 where doors are closing forever across the country. Now as we head into the gift-buying season I am sharing a few of my favourite small businesses to support instead of giving more money to Amazon.

Some of these will be physical buildings that are close to me in Metro Vancouver, but there are also some Canadian online businesses I will share that will be good wherever you live.

Gifts/Decor

Spruce Collective

This store always makes me feel so peaceful. Filled with home decor, clothing, cookbooks, cards, jewelry, and more, this store is so fun to check out all of the nooks and crannies. One of the things that I love that they have is tons of poster prints that are really affordable. I have one of cacti and succulents in my office and want to get a different one for our bedroom on the empty wall.

The Local Space

This is one of my all time favourite stores. Everything that they stock is a BC based business so I know that I am supporting local with everything that I buy. I have found a few of my favourite ethical clothing pieces here as well as jewelry, home decor, baby things, and skincare. They even do an Advent Calendar which I got last year and am getting again this year which is so great to try more local brands and things I wouldn’t normally.

Plants

Art’s Nursery

Art’s is my absolutely favourite nursery for Indoor Plants/planters. They have so many plants for such a good price and I love all the decor that they have as well. I also enjoy walking through all of their outdoor areas imagining all of the fruit trees that I would plant if I had any room at all for that.

Devan Greenhouse

Devan is my other favourite greenhouse to explore. They also have tons of indoor plants, but where they really shine is there vegetable seedlings and starter plants as well as herbs which were great throughout the summer. I also love their cooler of fresh cut flowers that are great for a vase on the table.

Clothes

Inner Fire

Earlier in the year I was looking for some new, ethical activewear and I found Inner Fire. Their workout clothes are made from recycled water bottles (so also good for the planet) and I have been loving the pants and sweatshirt that I got from them and will definitely be ordering more in the future.

Little and Lively

Now this is mostly children’s clothing (which I will be partaking part in in the future) but they do also have women’s clothing which is some of the softest clothing that I have ever felt before. I love that it is all made locally and I can pick up the clothes at some of my favourite stores.

Books

The Bookman

The Bookman is my favourite used bookstore around and I love just exploring the shelves. They even have everything online so you can order and do curb side pickup. Nigel got all of the books he used for our engagement here so it has a special place in my heart because of that as well.

Other

Scoria

Now along with more workout clothing I also wanted to get a new yoga mat and decided to get on from Scoria. All of their mats are made from cork and they are absolutely beautiful. I love that they get grippier as you get sweaty and I have really enjoyed using it so far. I obviously have not taken it to a yoga class, but at home it has been great.

Now I have lots of other local stores I love and try and frequent whenever possible, but I can’t go on forever so I will leave you here. Let me know some of your favourite local and small businesses and how you are supporting them instead of Amazon this Prime Day (and every day)!