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Kembel, the driving force behind EMK Clothing, began sewing when she was in Grade 5, although her mom’s creativity set the pattern for Kembel’s pursuits well before then. By the time she was in junior high, she was sewing clothes for herself and friends.

Nearly a century in, the Dawson Richardson Building is as strong and steadying as your first cup of coffee in the morning. Home to Forth, the building at 171 McDermot Avenue has become a community centre for the Exchange District.

Optometrist Dr. Luke Small once spent three days scrubbing tiny flecks of paint from a parking lot full of cars at Speedy Muffler, the business formerly located next door to Armstrong and Small Eye Care Centre at 1140 Portage Avenue.

When we talk about “local business”, we’re talking about local ownership and independent decision making. Ownership is important because value stays local.

Since 1948, City Bread has been putting bread on the table. The company prides itself on using only natural souring agents to give their loaves a unique—and downright delicious— flavour.

The William Avenue take-what-you-need, pay-what-you-can depot is a Santa’s workshop for a community of artists, educators and anyone who loves to create.