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Buy Local, Buy Social The Economy That Works for Everyone
A Smarter Economy Starts at Home
Global markets fluctuate. Tariffs rise and fall. Supply chains get disrupted. But local economies? They keep moving. When you choose to Buy Local, Buy Social, you’re investing in a resilient, self-sustaining economy—one that’s less vulnerable to external shocks and more focused on community strength, economic stability, and shared prosperity. At the heart of Buy Local, Buy Social are social enterprises, thrift fashion stores, and local businesses, all working to keep money circulating within communities, create jobs, and reduce dependence on volatile global markets.
Building a Future That Works for Everyone
Tariffs and trade disputes won’t determine the fate of a community that builds its own economic strength from within. Every purchase from a local thrift store, social enterprise, or independent shop is a vote for stability, security, and a future we control.
The question isn’t why buy local?—it’s why wouldn’t you?
Buy Local, Buy Social Shopping List
Shop at thrift stores & social enterprises – Find one near you! We’ve compiled a list of social enterprises, thrift fashion stores, and local businesses across British Columbia. Please note, this is an ongoing list that will continue to grow.
Buy Local, Buy Social – Keep the economy in your hands. Share the movement and tell others why local-first is the future.
BWSS SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
SOCIAL ENTERPRISES IN VANCOUVER
Aunt Leah’s Thrift (Thrift Store – Temporarily Closed)
Café Etico
Circle of Eagles Trading Post (Indigenous Artisanal)
Coastal Eden Cafe
Community Thrift & Vintage (Thrift Store)
East Van Roasters (Cafe)
Enterprising Women Making Art (Artisanal Store)
Flavours of Hope (Food Store)
Hospice Opportunity Boutique (Thrift Store)
My Sister’s Closet (Eco-Thrift Boutique)
Our Social Fabric (Eco-Fabric Store)
PASS Marketplace (Artisanal Store)
Second Hand Hope (Thrift Store)
Skwachays Boutique Hotel and Artist Co-Op (Indigenous Boutique Hotel)
Social Crust (Cafe)
Spartacus Books (Bookstore)
Still Fabulous Thrift Shop
SUPPLY Victoria Creative Reuse Centre (Thrift Store)
The UGM Thrift Store
VGH Thrift Store
Willow Bean Cafe
YMCA Hotel
SOCIAL ENTERPRISES IN LOWER MAINLAND & FRASER VALLEY
ABBOTSFORD
Little Sprout Café
AGASSIZ
Agassiz-Harrison Community Services Thrift Store
BURNABY
BASES Family Thrift Store
PASS Marketplace (Artisanal Store)
COQUITLAM
Thrift & Fund (Thrift Store)
LANGLEY
Penny Pincher Thrift Shop
MISSION
Cottage Thrift Store
NEW WESTMINSTER
Found Boutique (Thrift Store)
NORTH VANCOUVER
Lions Gate Hospital Thrift Shop
The Good Stuff Connection (Thrift Store)
Urban Repurpose (Thrift Store)
PORT COQUITLAM
Eagle Ridge Hospital Thrift Shop
RICHMOND
Storeys Café
The Richmond Hospital/Healthcare Auxiliary Thrift Shop
ACROSS CANADA / MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Soul Bite Food Inc. (Food Store)
The Get REAL Movement (Fashion Store)
Quest (Grocery Store)
SOCIAL ENTERPRISES IN ISLAND & INTERIOR
CAMPBELL RIVER
Second To None Thrift Store
FERNIE
Local (Grocery Store)
GIBSONS
Sunshine Coast Community Services Thrift Store
NANAIMO
Big Deals Boutique (Thrift Store)
SALMON ARM
Hudson Thrift Shoppe
SALT SPRING ISLAND
Artcraft Gallery + Shop
SQUAMISH
Pearl’s Value & Vintage
SMALL BUSINESSES: ARTISANAL, ART STORES & MARKETS
ARTISANAL STORES
BudgieBox (Online)
Gallery & Gift Shop at The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (Whistler)
Native Northwest (Vancouver)
ART STORES
Arts of Main (Vancouver)
Urban Source (Vancouver)
MARKETS
Gibsons Public Market (Gibson)
BIPOC + Local Marketplace (Langley)
Shop Makers (Store of Small Businesses) (Multiple Locations)
Craft Maison (Store of Small Businesses) (Vancouver)
Luna Collective (Store of Small Businesses) (Victoria)
SMALL BUSINESSES: BOOKSTORES & CAFES
BOOKSTORES
Albany Books (Multiple Locations)
The Creative Bookworm (Langley)
Book Warehouse & Black Bond Books (Multiple Locations)
32 Books & Gallery (North Vancouver)
Massy Books (Vancouver)
Cross & Crows Books (Vancouver)
Pulpfiction Books (Vancouver)
CAFES
Nomad Espresso Bar and Coffee Shop (North Vancouver)
Sip of Life (Vancouver)
Thunderbird Café at The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (Whistler)
SMALL BUSINESSES: FASHION & JEWELLERY
CAMPBELL RIVER
West Coast Wildflowers
VANCOUVER
WAIWAI (Artisan at My Sister’s Closet Locations)
VICTORIA
Open House
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Stoxx
ONLINE
Jonnon
Givers & Takers
OKAKIE
Salt