SHOP LOCAL GIFT GUIDE
The holidays are officially here and we're empowering our community to shop small, support local & stay home this season. Our team has picked their top choices for both shopping online and in-store.
Scroll through to see what our team chosen as their token local brands and stores for you to shop!
Let's dive into it!
TEAM PICK: Dustin, Local Laundry co-founder
Online pick: Rvitta Enery Tea
A recent guest on the Proudly Made in Canada Podcast, the owners of Rviita, Mitch & Rob, are almost as good looking as the guys from Calgary Heritage Roasting Co ;) Rviita is a type of energizing tea for fueling your day and your adventures. Not only is Rviita Energy Tea a delicious blend of tea-based caffeine, golden organic honey, fruit juice and vitamins, but it was also created to fuel productivity and give you energy without the crash! Tune in to the episode here to find out why Rob said Rviita’s tea tasted like “battery acid” during a blind taste of the preliminary phases of bringing their business to life!
LL insider secret #1: Rviita was once a client of Dustin’s at ATB! Order online or grab in-store at your neighbourhood Safeway or Sobeys!
In-store pick: Liz & Lottie
Liz & Lottie is in the heart of the East Village, currently offering curbside pick up only. Liz & Lottie’s online store is flush with fantastic holiday gifts and items to just ‘treat yo’self with’. Co-founded by friends, Heidi & Nikki, they came up with the name Liz & Lottie from their grandmothers, how cute is that?! Even though we can’t see these two babes in person, tune into Liz & Lottie’s IG channel and perk your day up with a giggle!
LL insider secret #2: Truth be told, Liz & Lottie was all the Local Laundry gang’s pick, but we gave it to Dustin, because not only is Liz & Lottie his favourite, but it’s his wife’s favourite too!
TEAM PICK: Connor, Local Laundry co-founder
Online pick: Wild Tea Kombucha
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Wild Team Kombucha, with our recent collaboration on our Locals’ Zip-Up and all [shameless plug, we know]. But this women-founded, badass of babes has taken its homegrown kombucha nation-wide, that’s right, you can shop Wild Tea Kombucha all across Canada or order it right from your fingertips. Shop from cocktail-inspired Bucha, soda-inspired booch and alcoholic holiday hooch for all those not in the mood for a beer or wine. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a wholistic or someone who appreciates an adult-beverage with a balance of keep their guys healthy, Wild Tea Kombucha has them written all over it!
LL insider secret #5: Wild Tea Kombucha and Local Laundry have been collaborating together for over 3-years!
In-store pick: Cedar & Steam
If you’re looking for an indoor oasis, may we present to you Cedar & Steam. This mini take on a nordic spa offers dry saunas, steam rooms, massages and oh ya flights of Kombucha from True Buch, wow. Mix & match between the cedar dry sauna, infrared sauna, Himalayan salt sauna and super hot & misty steam room. By keeping up with the COVIDs’ Cedar & Steam is only allowing massage bookings at limited capacity with a regimented COVID-19 clearance before being able to even step foot inside, talk about keeping us safe and playing the rules. Not to fret, Cedar & Steam, let’s you bookend your massage with 1-hour before and after dry sauna and steam room detoxing. If you’re looking for an experience-based, wellness, or just ‘what the heck do I buy this person’ gift, Cedar & Steam has your back :)
LL insider secret #4: Connor chose Cedar & Steam as his in-store pick because the guy lovessssss and we mean LOVES saunas and steam rooms… just ask him.
TEAM PICK: Francesca, Local Laundry design intern
Online pick: Red’s Diner
Who doesn’t love all-day breakfast and farm-fresh ingredients? Red’s Diner is a local Calgary staple in the heart of Ramsay. Order online for delivery and enjoy breakfast essentials at any hour nestled up on the couch with your cohort!
LL insider secret #5: Francesca is Local Laundry’s intern, straight outta MRU!
In-store pick: Rosso Coffee
Let’s just say we love Rosso Coffee a-latte. These 2x Canadian Barista Champions have five locations in the city, but Francesca’s favourite is the OG in Ramsay! Stop in and pick from your favourite beans and other locally made products like Drizzle Honey and other coffee brewing accessories. Try Rosso’s new seasonal winter blend, can you say stocking stuffer?! We think so!
LL insider secret #6: Francesca is a big fan of the Ramsay neighbourhood in Calgary if you couldn’t already tell by her picks!
TEAM PICK: Kathleen, Local Laundry Community Manager
Online pick: Lost in Layers
Lost in Layers is an online clothing boutique focused on creating beautiful garments that are effortlessly stylish and comfortable for every age, stage, shape and style! Shop Lost in Layers’ new collection items featuring their Bamboo Fleece Hooded Car Coat, Front to Back & Maxi Dresses, & gorgeous kimono shawls! You can find Lost in Layers in-store at Drops of Gratitude, All Things Pretty & Ninth & Brick. If you’re looking a timeless piece for a certain fashionista on your list, Lost in Layers will not disappoint!
LL insider secret #7: Kathleen owns 5 pieces of Lost in Layers clothing!
In-store pick: The Factory
This is a two-for-one pick from Community Manager, Kathleen. Milk Jar Candle Co. & Skwiik Skin Co. opened The Factory, together! This dreamy duo opened ‘The Factory’ to act as a manufacturing and fulfilment centre, but also moonlights as both Milk Jar & Skwiik’s storefront. To answer your question, YES, you can pop by The Factory during store hours and shop candles, diffusers and skin & body care. Skip the ship and drop in [mask-up of course] for a visit :)
LL insider secret #8: Local Laundry has collaborated with Milk Jar Candle Co for our two collaboration candles, Hang Dry & Sweater Weather!
TEAM PICK: Erin, Local Laundry Senior Designer
Online pick: Handtalkers
These actually very cool phone cases are all the rage! The phone cases from Handtalkers empowers people who have always wanted to put their hands in the air and wave them like they just don’t care. If you’ve got a hand talker on your Christmas list, well, this gem of a company couldn’t be more fitting!
LL insider secret #9: Erin Lawrence is definitely a hand talker!
In-store pick: Doodle Dogs
We of course can’t forget about all the pooches out there! Doodle Dogs supports the local Calgary community by sourcing as many unique dog products right from our own backyard. Sourcing vendors that can continue to empower Doodle Dogs to be a unique chic shop is important so you can keep your doggo’s stylish & hip! Pop over to Doodle Dogs’ Signal Hill location and grab a gift for your furry friend :)
LL insider secret #10: 5 out of 6 Local Laundry team members own dogs!
TEAM PICK: Briare, Local Laundry Website Specialist
Online pick: Marble & Bow
Marble & Bow is a new jewelry brand on the scene, making handmade clay earrings! If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that we can beat our boredom with our passions. Tasia, owner of Marble & Bow, started handcrafting earrings while on maternity leave to keep her creativity and passion for accessories alive. Sport your favourite rainbows, knots and studs from this new local biz!
LL inside secret #11: Briare, and Kathleen, went to high school with the founder of Marble & Bow, Tasia…. which makes Briare and Kathleen friends for over 15 years, they’ve both tried to get rid of each other many times ;)
In-store pick: Brewsters
Dine-in [with your cohort], curbside pick up or fill your fridge with Brewsters locally brewed beer. Brewsters said they’re still taking cheers’ just from 6-feet apart! As one of the OG brands to start small-batch brewing, Brewsters brews with passion mixed with an outstanding dining experience. Sip slowly on Brewsters’ Honest Paul IPA, River City Raspberry Ale, Hawaiin Coconut Porter! If you have a craft-beer lover in your family, a mix-pack will be the perfect gift. Keep cold until putting under the Christmas tree.
LL insider secret #12: Briare used to be a server and manager at Brewster’s & Local Laundry created a collaboration beer with Brewsters back in 2017!
There you have it, fam, our team's top picks for shopping locally in-store & online this holiday season!
