I Heart Edmonton

Support Local By Emil Tiedemann For years, large chain restaurants and fast food brands have used Edmonton as a test market before they dispersed across the country, popping up on every corner and forcing local ma & pa shops to close their doors for good. Consumers are under the impression that chain stores, eateries, and shops offer lower prices and better guarantees on their products or services, but these are often misconceptions.  There are plenty of perks when it comes to shopping at the smaller, independent businesses rather than corporate entities, such as inventory assortment, community support, or most importantly, the ever-elusive customer care.    Edmonton's Yuri Gerchikov (left) and Leo Shifrin of Good Luck Socks, which started in 2013. That’s not to say that all local shops are kind and community-oriented, or that all big box stores lack a good customer experience. But, for the most part, it’s the smaller markets where you buy your eggs and m...

Here's how my 30 Day #buyYEG Challenge went ... by emil tiedemann L AST month, I threw an idea out there to get Edmontonians in the "buy local" mindset, and to try to focus on a lifestyle of supporting hometown and independent businesses and artists. F or a t least 30 days, that is.   The " 30 Day #buyYEG Challenge " is a simple way to support these local establishments and entrepreneurs (especially) during the downturn in the economy, as too many "ma & pa" shops close their doors for good as a result.  But, I couldn't just talk the talk, encouraging others to participate in this challenge. So, for the last 30 days (starting March 1 ), I walked the walk, so to speak. That means I did all I c ould to reinvest in my hometown Edmonton, from what coffee I dr a nk in the morning to what books I read before I went to bed at night.  It's been an amazing 30 days of discovering so many awesome local spots and meeting some folks ...