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One way to look at the world is through a profit maximization lens. There are businesses interested in maximizing profit, and those who aren’t.

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.

The girls were toddlers when the family boarded the Leonardo da Vinci ocean liner to Canada. Now Vicky Sartor and Cathy Wozny are the managing partners of Calabria Market and Fine Wines.

The Local Frequency app launched in 2016 as a shop-local rewards program to keep money in the local economy, where it can have the most impact. Every little shift to local counts.

It’s not uncommon to see a patron strumming on a guitar. Or friends embroiled in deep conversation on the green lounge chairs in the corner. Or grandparents encouraging their grandbabies to create something special at the art table.

When a friend brought back bags of coffee from Costa Rica, Geordie and Jill Wilson could smell an opportunity brewing.