Supporting small businesses in Calgary is more than just a shopping decision—it’s a movement that helps strengthen the local economy, and promote sustainability. Small businesses are the backbone of Calgary’s economy, offering unique products, personalized service, and ethical shopping alternatives.

Choosing to support local business ensures that money stays within the community, environmental impact is reduced, and small entrepreneurs have the opportunity to grow. Greenbriar Market are dedicated to sustainable practices, offering refillable, eco-friendly products that align with the values of conscious consumers.

Why Supporting Small Businesses Matters

Small businesses contribute to the growth, culture, and identity of Calgary. They provide handcrafted, ethically sourced, and high-quality products that often surpass mass-produced alternatives. Here’s why shopping at small businesses makes a significant impact:

• Boosts the Local Economy: More revenue stays within Calgary when spent at local stores.

• Encourages Entrepreneurship: Small businesses create opportunities for innovation and job creation.

• Promotes Sustainability: Locally made products often have a lower carbon footprint.

• Supports Ethical Practices: Many small businesses prioritize fair wages, cruelty-free products, and sustainable materials.

• Enhances Customer Experience: Local businesses offer a personal touch, fostering strong customer relationships.

The Growing Small Business Community in Calgary

Calgary is home to a thriving small business scene, with entrepreneurs embracing sustainable practices, handcrafted goods, and ethical sourcing. From local markets to eco-conscious stores, the city provides plenty of options for those looking to support community-driven commerce.

Greenbriar Market is a leading example, offering refillable skincare, household cleaners, and sustainable living products that help reduce waste and promote a more conscious lifestyle.

Benefits of Supporting Small Businesses in Calgary

1. Strengthening Calgary’s Economy

When consumers choose local businesses over corporate chains, more money remains in the city. Studies show that for every $100 spent at a local business, up to $68 stays within the community, compared to only $43 when spent at a national retailer.

Supporting businesses like Greenbriar Market ensures that entrepreneurs, artisans, and small-scale producers receive fair compensation, leading to a stronger, more resilient local economy.

2. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Shopping

Small businesses are often more committed to sustainability and eco-conscious practices. Unlike large corporations that rely on mass production and excessive packaging, local businesses focus on:

• Zero-waste initiatives

• Refillable product options

• Ethically sourced materials

• Lower carbon emissions from transportation

Greenbriar Market, for example, is dedicated to reducing plastic waste by offering refillable beauty and household cleaning products, allowing consumers to make sustainable choices effortlessly.

3. Encouraging Unique and High-Quality Products

Unlike mass-produced goods, small businesses offer unique, handcrafted, and one-of-a-kind items. Many local artisans use traditional techniques, premium ingredients, and sustainable materials to create products that are superior in quality and craftsmanship.

Shopping at businesses like Greenbriar Market ensures access to exclusive, eco-friendly, and high-quality alternatives that cannot be found in large retail stores.

4. Supporting Ethical and Fair Trade Practices

Many small businesses focus on ethical sourcing, fair wages, and cruelty-free practices. Instead of mass-market goods that may involve unethical labor conditions, shopping local guarantees that workers, artisans, and suppliers are fairly compensated.

By purchasing from Greenbriar Market, consumers can feel confident knowing that their purchases align with sustainable and ethical values.

5. Enhancing the Customer Experience

Small businesses thrive on personalized service and strong customer relationships. Instead of automated checkout lines or impersonal transactions, local businesses provide:

• Expert recommendations

• One-on-one customer care

• Personalized shopping experiences

Greenbriar Market is known for its dedicated customer service, helping customers find the best eco-friendly and refillable products suited to their needs.

6. Keeping Calgary’s Culture and Character Alive

The small business community in Calgary reflects the city’s vibrant culture, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Independent stores, markets, and locally owned cafés help preserve the city’s unique identity, making Calgary a more diverse and dynamic place to live and shop.

Supporting businesses like Greenbriar Market helps ensure that Calgary remains a hub for conscious consumerism, sustainable practices, and community-driven growth.

How to Support Small Businesses in Calgary

1. Choose Local Over Large Retailers

Whenever possible, opt for local stores, markets, and small businesses instead of big-box retailers. Calgary offers plenty of options for those looking to buy sustainably sourced, ethically made, and high-quality products.

2. Shop at Farmers’ Markets and Local Boutiques

Calgary is home to several farmers’ markets and independent shops that support local artisans, farmers, and eco-conscious brands. Places like the Calgary Farmers’ Market and stores like Greenbriar Market provide access to fresh, sustainable, and locally made goods.

3. Choose Refillable and Zero-Waste Products

Refillable and zero-waste shopping is a great way to support local businesses while reducing environmental impact. Greenbriar Market specializes in refillable skincare, beauty, and household essentials, allowing customers to cut down on plastic waste while shopping sustainably.

4. Spread the Word and Leave Positive Reviews

Supporting local businesses isn’t just about making a purchase—it’s also about helping them grow. Share experiences, leave positive reviews, recommend local stores to friends, and engage with small businesses on social media.

5. Participate in Local Events and Sustainability Initiatives

Many small businesses host community events, sustainability workshops, and eco-friendly initiatives. Participating in these events helps support local entrepreneurs and fosters a stronger sense of community.

The Future of Small Businesses in Calgary

As more consumers recognize the importance of supporting local businesses, Calgary is seeing a rise in sustainable shopping practices, zero-waste initiatives, and eco-conscious marketplaces. Small businesses like Greenbriar Market are leading the way in providing ethical, refillable, and environmentally friendly shopping options.

The shift towards conscious consumerism and local support is a positive step toward a more sustainable, community-driven future. By choosing to support small businesses, Calgarians are helping reduce waste, create local job opportunities, and promote a greener, more responsible way of living.

Conclusion

Supporting small business Calgary is an investment in the community, economy, and environment. Local businesses Greenbriar Market make it easier for consumers to embrace eco-friendly shopping habits by offering sustainable, refillable, and high-quality products.

By making the choice to shop local, consumers can positively impact Calgary’s small business landscape, reduce their carbon footprint, and create a more ethical and sustainable future.