Calgary 
Support Calgary small businesses by shopping locally!
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Calgary has 15 official Business Improvement Areas. These communities are working to revitalize their neighbourhood, and the holidays provide an excellent opportunity to explore the work they are doing. Bring your holiday shopping to one, some, or all of these neighbourhoods, and discover the best of Calgary’s local businesses. By shopping locally, you can also help Calgary improve as a city.
Each BIA in Calgary have their own set of unique offerings, and one may be better for different types of shoppers than the other. You may find one BIA with more cafes and restaurants, and others with more boutique or clothing stores. This is all the more reason to explore every Business Improvement Area in the city!
17th Ave Retail & Entertainment District
There are over 700 businesses to explore in this downtown Calgary neighbourhood. This includes several small businesses with a huge selection of specialty shops, vintage stores, clothing, accessories, and jewelry. The community is also celebrating 17 Days of Christmas, leading up to December 17th. View their website below for different local deals during this December period.
- Find unique clothing as a holiday gift, from a local shop like Thrift Coutoure, or HG Vintage.
- Explore the local or handmade jewelry of stores like Earth Gems, or request a custom piece from Premiere Gems.
- Find clothing and accessories for anyone on your list with 17th Ave’s local boutique shops: Purr Clothing, Ooh La La Women’s Wear, Era Style Loft, or the Grinning Goat.
4th Street SW BIA
You’ll find all different types of businesses and services in the 4th St. SW area, also known for its annual Spring Lilac Festival. For the winter months, the area between Elbow Drive and 12th Avenue SW, can be an enjoyable place to shop, take in the public art, or to find a small event. The 4th Street SW BIA also intersects with the 17th Ave. BIA on the north side.
- If you have someone in need of some peace and relaxation for the holidays, pick up a spa gift card from 4th St. Spas & Salons like Butter Beauty Parlour, M Salon, and Uptown Nail Boutique & Spa.
- Shop local for the avid reader on your list with the diverse set of books offered at Shelf Life.
- Create a gift box out of the items from Mission Wine & Liquor Merchants, and the Peasant Cheese Shop.
- Find beautiful gifts for the home from local boutique shops like Cinder & Sage, and Without Co.
Beltline BIA
All your holiday shopping may leave you a little hungry. This is when you’ll want to head to the Beltine BIA in downtown Calgary. The area is a foodie’s paradise with restaurants on every corner between 9 St. and 2 St. SW. Even if you aren’t hungry, these places offer gift cards, too. The Beltine area is a convenient place for holiday shopping, with the C-Train running along 11 Ave. SW. Details
- Give the gift of relaxation with gift cards, products, or services from the Beltine salons and spas: Redbloom Salon, Massage Heights, and Leela Eco Spa, all offer gift cards!
- Give the gift of good eats, and treat someone with a gift card to the local restaurants in the Beltine like Regrub Burger Bar, National, or Last Best Brewing & Distilling.
- Give the gift of beauty and wellness from Beltine’s boutique stores like GOAT, and Artists Within.
- Give the gift of sport and fitness with local shops like The Source Snowboards, or The Bike Shop.
Bridgeland BIA
Bridgeland is one of Calgary’s oldest neighbourhoods and is a scenic place for a simple winter walk during December. There are holiday lights decorating the snow covered streets, and the preserved historical buildings. There are many ways to shop here, as well, with some of Calgary’s major attractions offering gift card ideas, as well as the local shopping. Details
- If you have a loving pet parent on your shopping list, try the boutique pet stores like Doggywood Ltd., or Doodle Dogs.
- Pick up a gift card for the foodies on your list. Anyone who enjoys cooking, hosting, or baking, will enjoy a gift card from local grocery stores like Blush Lane, or Bridgeland Market & Deli.
- Shop premier skincare, hair, or beauty brands from Elegance MediSpa, or Leela Eco Spa (their second YYC location).
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Calgary Downtown Association
Calgary’s downtown core has a lot going on any time of year. As the literal centre of the city, this area boasts attractions, shopping, dining, and C-Train access. The taller buildings make room for more business to thrive in the area, and there are over 2500 businesses which call Downtown Calgary home.
- One of downtown Calgary’s most recognizable buildings is on the southern edge of the CDA BIA. The Calgary Tower’s Sky360 restaurant also offers gift cards if you need stocking stuffers; or, you could plan a day out with a trip up the Tower, followed by dinner, as a gift to someone special.
- There are several unique gift and boutique stores between 9th Ave. and 6th. Ave SW. Calgary’s local shops offer great variety, too! Try out Tropicana Gifts & Novelties, or Kanata Trading Post, for souvenirs.
- Find something you wouldn’t be able to buy anywhere else with new and preowned gift ideas at the Kerby Centre. Inside, you can browse the Next-to-New Shop, or the Wise Owl Boutique.
Chinatown BIA
Walking around and shopping in Calgary’s Chinatown gives can include a lot more than visits to the local stores. Chinatown is on the edge of the Bow River along Centre Street, where you can continue after toward riverfront trails, or to explore the public art. Additionally, there is a large number of restaurants around Chinatown for a sit-down meal, or to-go meals (think riverside picnic!).
- Are you shopping for anyone with a sweet tooth this holiday season? The Qalala Candy Store in Chinatown has a mouth-watering selection of candies, sodas, and other treats, which you can’t find anywhere else in Calgary!
- Find something that sparkles, shimmers, or dazzles, from Hung’s Jewellery, or Pan Wen Wei Jewellery Ltd.
- Keep things simple yet romantic with a bouquet from Thalea Florists! Their arrangements can also make excellent holiday dinner centrepieces.
Crescent Heights Village BIA
Crescent Height’s south portion is made up of a variety of green and park spaces like an off-leash dog park, walking trails, and the multi-use Rotary Park. Plus, all of these greenspaces act as connections to other Calgary neighbourhoods like downtown and Chinatown. Centre Street N fittingly runs through the middle of Crescent Heights; and from here you can walk in any direction to find shopping, food, and unique gift ideas for Christmas. If you can, make your shopping day in Crescent Heights Village on December 17th, during their Christmas in the Village event. Details
- Treat someone to a spa experience this winter with the services offered by Panada Massage.
- Do you have a sport enthusiast on your list? Or more specifically, do you have someone who loves to run and jog on your holiday shopping list? Gord’s Run Store is a local shop with gear and accessories for all ages.
- You have several options in Crescent Heights when it comes to edible treats of all kinds. Shop the fresh baked goods of Sucre Patisserie And Café, Tea Funny, or Yamato Bakery.
- Make your outing a “one-stop-shop” type of experience. The Tigerstedt Market is a collection of location makers with gifts for all interests and ages.
Greenview Industrial BIA
There are over 300 businesses in the smaller Greenview Industrial area! Those businesses are working to improve all aspects of the neighbourhood, and invite you to check out some of its hidden gems through December. First, there is a paved ravine pathway which leads to the Bow River in the south, or which follows Nose Creek north. Second, there are all the businesses to check out over the holidays: you can pick up gift cards or treat someone to the restaurants, or grab a number of unique gifts. Details
- If you have anyone on your Christmas list with a love for sport and fitness, you can gift classes or sessions with the local Greenview studios: Crossfit Pyro, Dunamis Martial Arts, and Studio Per Noi.
- Make your holiday shopping go a little further at the MEOW Charity Thrift Shop. 100% of Thrift Shop sale proceeds go to the MEOW Foundation, a local cat rescue. However, these items are not just for cats. The shop includes anything you’d expect to find at a local thrift store, like great gifts!
- Find a gift card for the food lovers on your list or treat someone to a fancy night out on the town. Greenview Industrial has a huge selection of local eats. Here are a few ideas.
- Queens Breakfast Cocktails (a fancy night out)
- Citizen Brewing Co. (gift cards)
- Rea’s Italian Cucina (a casual night out)
- Franca’s (gift baskets available)
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Inglewood BIA
It is the perfect time of year to make a weekend shopping trip through the Inglewood neighbourhood. The area has a huge selection of restaurants and local breweries for some post-shopping snacks and drinks, too. But why is it the perfect time of year? Inglewood is hosting Christmas Saturdays for the next two December weekends. 9th Avenue will have carollers, Santa will be strolling the streets, and Rosso Coffee Roasters will have special hot chocolate for sale. But no matter when you have time for a trip to Inglewood, you can count on several interesting gift ideas from the many local stores. Details
- Browse the adorable clothing and accessories available at the local Adorn Boutique, Genuine Design, or espy.
- Offer someone a little warmth for the holidays. Stop by Rosso Coffee Roasters for a wonderful selection of coffees, including a Winter Spice holiday blend.
- Put some thought into getting a gift that is personal, unique, and functional with the home décor available at Murphy’s Mid-Century, or Lemonceillo Home & Gift.
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International Avenue BRZ
Your goal of supporting local this Christmas in Calgary can include many types of gifts. And a shopping trip around the local businesses of International Ave. can give you seemingly endless possibilities for cool, unique, or even tasty gifts. International Ave. runs through the east Calgary neighbourhoods of Forest Lawn and Southview. It splits into Barlow Trail SE and 17th Avenue SE in the west, where International Ave. meets the river. Details
- Get a wide variety of clothing and apparel gift options on International Avenue from local stores like Jeannie’s Boutique, Ethio-Afrik, or Baraka Stores (My Kidz).
- Treat some in your life to the deliciousness of Pho this holiday season: Pho Dau Bo offer gift cards and merchandise.
- International Ave’s Agility Massage is a perfect way to treat someone to pure relaxation. The spa offers a number of different massage styles like deep tissue, hot stone, cupping, or Swedish.
- Browse hundreds of cosmetic, hair, and skin products at Nyla’s Beauty Supply.
Kensington BRZ
The smaller BIA of Kensington, where Memorial turns into Westmount Blvs., contains over 250 shops, and a wonderful selection of local outdoor art. Take an afternoon to slowly browse the neighbourhood’s murals while also finding the food, the local shopping, and tons of holiday shopping inspiration. The bright holiday lights which now decorate the area make it a festive place to shop all December. But if you visit on Saturdays in December, you can also enjoy sleigh rides, live music, hot chocolate, and bring the kids for a Santa visit. Details
- Shop the festive and edible holiday treats from Kensington’s Aggudo Coffee, or Pie Junkie.
- Stop by Another Dimension Comics, Hot Wax Records, or Charisma, pop culture gifts, novelties, and merch.
- Keep the furry friends in mind this Christmas! Shop pet gifts at Brilliant Best Friend, or The New Forest.
- Pick up cozy new winter apparel for the women on your list from Kismet Clothing, or for the men from Brooklyn Clothing.
Mainstreet Bowness BIA
As Calgary’s smallest business improvement area, Main Street Bowness still offers a large assortment of local places to shop. The general Bowness neighbourhood is between Highway 1 and the Bow River, making it quick and easy to get to as well. Within these specific three city blocks are over 60 businesses in total, which give you plenty of ideas for holiday shopping. Details
- Browse the gift options for sport or fitness enthusiasts on your list through e-gift cards at Yoga in Bowness, or the bikes and gear at Bow Cycle.
- Stop by the Cadence Coffee diner for lunch, and grab their premiere bags of coffee beans for some holiday gifts.
- Atomic Dog Boutique, Beastro & Grooming have a fun selection of pet gift ideas for the dog parents on your list.
Marda Loop BIA
Join the Marda Loop community on December 10th, 2022 to experience the Spirit of the Loop. This holiday event will feature Santa, carollers, and hot chocolate. Or join the community and time in December for cool holiday shopping inspiration. Details
- Shop local clothing and accessories for women from APT 22, or apparel for all from Crabapple Clothing,
- Kricket’s offers a wonderful selection of unique gift ideas and home décor.
- Monkeyshines Children’s Books offer more than books: they also sell small toys, travel games, teaching aids, and more.
- There are edible gifts galore in Marda Loop from places like Springbank Cheese Co., Silver Sage Beef, or Master Chocolate.
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Montgomery on the Bow BIA
One of the greatest things about Calgary’s Montgomery neighbourhood is how it is surrounded by parks and greenspace on every side. The south area is also along the Bow River. But the river bends, making the west end of the neighbourhood riverside as well! Between the dog park, the river, and Montalban Park, there are many businesses who offer great holiday gift inspiration. Details
- Surprise someone special this Christmas by booking a staycation. Along River Edge is a local B&B with their own private riverfront lot.
- Offer someone a bit of peace and relaxation for the busy season with a gift card to the Montgomery Wellness Centre: the full-service spa provide a variety of treatments.
- Help your friends or family indulge in local dining this winter with gift cards for Montgomery’s restaurants: Notable or the Rising Tides Taproom.
Victoria Park BIA
And last but not least, and certainly not the smallest, is downtown’s Victoria Park (or #VicPark). Hop the C-train, and make a convenient day of finishing all your Christmas shopping with the area’s hundreds of businesses. Details
- Shop high end products at lower end prices through the SalvEDGE Boutique, or The Revente with their collection of gently used designer items.
- Find all sorts of goodies like home décor, cards, plants, and self-care products, at Vic Park’s Sunday Shop. You can also find these types of gifts and more from Rite of Ritual.
- Roadrunner Vintage offers an eclectic selection of gifts with vintage fashion, vinyl records, and new boutique clothing brands. Roadrunner even has a special collection of vintage Stampede and western wear.
