Shopping Local YYC

[PaperBagger'14]

Holy Grill is doing Christmas dinners for $15 or so

[Rhettzky]

I'll plug Video Game Traders in Lake Bonavista. Tons of selection, great staff, and they give great value for any trade ins. Plus they offer curb side pickup.

https://www.videogametrader.ca/

And while you're there check out Comic Traders. Owners are super friendly and they have a great selection. Located in the same mini-mall.

https://m.facebook.com/COMICTRADERS.CA/

[Fuzz]

FYI Edelweiss has online ordering and parking lot pickup, which you are going to want to use if you need some Bavaria in your Christmas. I went to pick up an order, and got stink eyed by the massive line waiting to get inside.

[Regular_John]

Not sure if it’s been discussed yet, but we snagged some local eats from the new http://bestofcalgaryfoods.com/ site.

Had the cabbage rolls, perogies & garlic sausage from ‘Ukrainian Fine Foods’ for dinner tonight, I’m stuffed but damn it was good.

The Best of Calgary Foods site is still ironing out some kinks in the system, our original order from Nov 27th ended up being three delivery’s on three different days as oppose to the single Thur or Friday drop off they are aiming for.

But honestly for a local collective that spun up right in the middle of spike in COVID numbers, it’s completely forgivable. We got everything we ordered eventually, and the quality/variety makes it worth it.

And I’ve currently got a bag of emergency Glenmorgan cheese buns in the freezer as we see out the last month of 2020. No matter what this hell scape of a year throws at us... the cheese buns will soften the blow.

[agulati]

We have been going to fresh and local for a good chunk of our groceries (fruits and veggies) for a few years now. They are offering curbside pickup as well as a delivery option throughout the pandemic.

https://freshandlocalfarmoutlet.com

[browna]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Does anyone know of any businesses selling turkey dinners for Christmas? Interested in a somewhat traditional Christmas dinner, but not interested in making a huge meal for 2 people since we wont be seeing any family....

Big T's.
Their delivery is their own, no door dash or skip the dishes.

https://bigtsbbq.com/menus/#christmas

[Sammymydog1]

A family member owns this women's activewear company. Product is similar to that "other" high end brand & a fraction of the cost. Women seem to love it. Local company & delivery from or pick up in SE Calgary.

There is a 15% site wide sale tomorrow when using discount code ANGIE10 at checkout. After tomorrow the code can always be used for 10% discount.

https://bareactivewear.com/

[cral12]

If you're looking for unique baking goods/sweet treat, highly recommend:
Sweet Treats by Haley:
[https://www.instagram.com/sweettreats.by.haley/

Disclaimer: friend of a friend (she is a locally trained chef and really cool person ; )

We have bought from her twice and delicious both times. Bought for a friend and they loved.

***
She also is doing some hot sauce type stuff - Flame 'N Smoke - mostly through Instagram right now. If you like heat, awesome stuff:
https://www.instagram.com/flaminsmoke/

[topfiverecords]

Warning, don’t click the above link when you’re hungry.

[You Need a Thneed]

Is there a place in Calgary that sells colourful women’s leather gloves?

[woob]

Anyone know of a shop that sells good quality maple syrup based candy?

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by woob

Anyone know of a shop that sells good quality maple syrup based candy?

Hahaha maybe every store in Banff.

[woob]

Originally Posted by surferguy

Hahaha maybe every store in Banff.

SHOP LOCAL YYC!!

[tipenmat]

There is a store at the Calgary Farmers Market - taste of Quebec - that has some pretty good ones

Originally Posted by woob

Anyone know of a shop that sells good quality maple syrup based candy?

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by KTrain

I shop to Redd Skull on Edmonton Trail. The owner is awesome and they'll do delivery.

Another Dimension in Kensington is probably the biggest with the most selection.

I know/think one of the guys from Phoenix Comics on 16th posts on here. They're a great shop.

Phoenix Comics is MikePhoen, but did he not state he was closing down a couple years ago?
edit: Hmm, still open. Or maybe he sold it?

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

Does anyone know of any businesses selling turkey dinners for Christmas? Interested in a somewhat traditional Christmas dinner, but not interested in making a huge meal for 2 people since we wont be seeing any family....

Hayden Block and Comery Block offer prepared holiday meals. You can select between smoked turkey or the beef brisket for the main protein.

The Nash is offering Turkey dinners as well but they might be sold out for Xmas Day.

Not sure, but Bridgette Bar might be doing something as well. They are offering curbside pick up as part of the Concorde Group's "holiday hits" with a bunch of delicious dishes from their group of restaurants, but they might offer the traditional type of meals as well if you inquire/pre-order.

[browna]

Originally Posted by woob

SHOP LOCAL YYC!!

As far as I am concerned, for all intents, Banff is local if you are shopping at independent stores. It would be a shame if Banff Ave is full of closed storefronts.

A place like Monods is a fantastic store and prices are the same as everywhere else.

[ThatsWhatSheSaid]

Some local favorites:

Bakeries/Desserts (ready to eat xmas day snacks/desserts, GCs):
Ollia Macarons & Tea - best macarons in the city and run by a cute couple who give back and support the community a lot. They also sell quality teas and items from other local businesses
Sucre Patisserie & Cafe - hazelnut & chocolate croissants, almond croissants, and pretty much all their other pastries. Pick up some frozen "BIY" pastries to throw in the oven on xmas morning for an easy, no fuss, delicious brunch.
Butterblock - the breggfast (croissant formed like a danish with cheese, ham, and egg), pandan coconut croissant, earl grey chocolate cookies. Per Sucre, they offer "BIY" pastries for xmas oven smells and fresh goods.
Black Sheep - different style of croissant, but their fruit billings are delicious. Blueberry or the Pear & Vanilla are good choices. If you're lucky, they have the pistachio cherry tart available.
La Boulangerie - the Kouign Amann is excellent here. Original or blueberry filling.
Village Ice Cream - pints to go with or be your xmas dessert. GCs for the ice cream lover in your life.
Made by Marcus - ditto from above.
Pie Junkie - amazing pies! Their sweet pies and their savory options are delicious. Butter chicken, jamaican hand patty, or the Steak Stout & Gruyere are delicious options. Key Lime, Banana Toffee, or their fruit pies warmed up with a few scoops of MBM or Village vanilla ice creams make for an amazing dessert

Retailers:
Kristen's Consignment - owned and run by a good friend of mine. She is one of the best people on Earth and spends a lot of time giving back to the local community in all sorts of ways. Pick up a GC for the lady in your life who is ok with not 'brand new' clothing/accessories. It's a good way to support the local economy and also help the environment
Camp - a little on the hipster side, but also some outdoor friendly apparel and some cute enamelware for the adventure enthusiast in your life. They do local delivery or you can pick up locally from the Livery in Inglewood.
Pages - I think this one has been mentioned already, but a great bookshop in Kensington; you can pre-order for pick up as well.
Monkeyshines - Marda Loop bookstore; they also carry some Canadian made toys and such
Games People Play - mostly puzzles and games, but some good gift choices for the kids or adults
Livingstone & Cavell - they are closing Jan 1 for retirement so you can probably get some good deals
Steeling Home - gift shop with various items both home, holidays, and pretty much all you can think of. Even kids stuff
Analog Coffee - best local coffee shop IMHO, love buying their beans and grinding/making coffee at home.
Monogram - another great local run coffee shop with ethically sourced beans. Both these guys and Analog also have other types of accessories and gifts for the coffee snob in your life.

For groceries, I try to shop as much as possible at both Blush Lane and Sunterra. Realize this is not always possible for everyone due to cost, but I like both businesses and how they are run. Sunterra also always gives away some sort of free meal/item during the holidays to the surrounding communities whether you shop there or not which I have always thought was a nice touch.

Was going to list a number of restaurants, but I think everyone has their own favorites (happy to provide recs if you want them) - with the lockdown and dinners scaled down, if you want a break from cooking, it's great to pre-order a meal from your fave place. Or GCs for the foodie in your life!

[jayswin]

That's what she said.

[Calgary14]

Originally Posted by cral12

If you're looking for unique baking goods/sweet treat, highly recommend:
Sweet Treats by Haley:
[https://www.instagram.com/sweettreats.by.haley/

Disclaimer: friend of a friend (she is a locally trained chef and really cool person ; )

We have bought from her twice and delicious both times. Bought for a friend and they loved.

***
She also is doing some hot sauce type stuff - Flame 'N Smoke - mostly through Instagram right now. If you like heat, awesome stuff:
https://www.instagram.com/flaminsmoke/

I just had some cinnamon buns delivered earlier. Unbelievably good. I will be ordering again

https://sweetsneatsbyhaley.wixsite.com/calgary/menu-1