Local businesses are a vital part of the tapestry of our communities. That being said, West Vancouver’s small businesses are still in a state of recovery, with business owners facing a number of challenges such as increasing lease rates, operational costs and small business expenses.
"With government assistance loans now due, rising inflation in food costs, labour shortages and supply chain issues, it is crucial to continue to support our shops and services to ensure a thriving business area," says Maureen O'Brien, executive director of the Ambleside Dundarave Business Improvement Association.
Overwhelmingly, Canadians say they want to support local businesses as much as they can. In a survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, over nine in ten Canadians (92%) of Canadians said they love having small businesses in their community. That said, only 13% of Canadians do most of their shopping at small independent businesses. The majority of their shopping is done at large retail businesses in-store and online.
How to support local small businesses
“We hear from residents all the time about how disappointed they are to see a business close or a rumour that one might be leaving,” O’Brien says. “If we want to keep our local hardware store, restaurant, framing store, bakery or barbershop, we need to ensure we are supporting them and encouraging others to do so as well.”
Here are five effective ways for North Shore residents to show their support and help ensure that West Vancouver’s beloved small businesses remain a part of the local community:
- Support your favourite neighbourhood businesses.
- Choose a new local business to support once a month.
- Buy gift cards and gift certificates directly from local retailers.
- Share positive reviews of local small businesses on Google or Yelp.
- Follow and interact with your favourite local businesses on social media.
The neighbourhoods of Ambleside and Dundarave offer several opportunities to put these recommendations into action. From boutiques to bistros, these villages provide unique shopping and dining experiences with locally-owned businesses that range from long-time favourites to new arrivals in West Vancouver.
Supporting local businesses in Ambleside
Over the years, the Ambleside village has evolved into a diverse hub of great places to eat and drink, encompassing everything from fresh bakeries to family-run restaurants.
Found within the Village Fish & Oyster Market, Nell’s Kitchen serves take-out lunches consisting of sustainable seafood and innovative ingredients. To satisfy the craving for sweet and savory pies, the family-owned Savary Island Pie Company has an assortment of baked goods that are made fresh every day. Located off of Marine Drive along Clyde Ave., Mitra's Market is stocked with specialty grocery items, ranging from Persian and European imports to fresh local produce.
There are plenty of gyms and fitness studios in Ambleside, encompassing a variety of fitness activities such as reformer pilates at Foundation to personal training at Freedom Health Studio. Plus, The Cove Sports Recovery on Marine Drive offers hot and cold plunges, making it the perfect place to recover after a workout.
Bellevue Avenue, Ambleside's higher-end shopping street, features sophisticated boutiques that range from customized handcrafted fine jewelry at Stittgen to home interiors and furniture at Da Vinci's. Owned by a mother-daughter team, Romantique and Phoenix provide the best selections of women's wear in West Vancouver. Romantique specializes in luxurious lingerie and swimwear from European and international brand names, while Phoenix carries women's clothing and accessories from B.C. and Canadian-based designers.
It’s possible to travel the world without leaving West Vancouver by indulging in the global dishes served within the Ambleside village. Some must-try restaurants include Sakura Ichiban, Ssal Korean Bistro, Thai Pudpong, Swad Indian Kitchen, Carmelo's Ristorante Italiano, and Fred’s Restaurant for modern Italian selections. Those who enjoy French cuisine will want to make a reservation at Chez Michel to enjoy classic French cuisine in an elegant setting, as well as stop by Mèreon for French bistro fare inspired by Lyon, the gastronomical capital of France.
Supporting local businesses in Dundarave
A visit to the Dundarave neighbourhood isn’t complete without grabbing an espresso to-go from Delany’s Coffee House. A staple of the village since 1999, this charming family-run cafe brews the finest coffee on the North Shore, and each location is uniquely decorated with artwork from local artists in the community. Across the street, The Bakehouse has a selection of freshly made breads, pies and desserts, along with a menu of sandwiches and brunch favourites, to fuel the appetite.
This block along Marine Drive, situated in the heart of the Dundarave village, is also host to a number of local boutiques. At Ami Boutique, shoppers can find stylish wardrobe pieces that evoke a dreamy California-inspired aesthetic. For fashion with a European flair, Behnaz Toossi presents simple and elegant pieces that can be worn all year around. In addition to clothing and accessories, Red Horses Gallery is stocked with one-of-a-kind gifts, including fun and quirky stationery pieces, Made in Canada souvenir items, and more gift ideas sourced from around the world.
For casual Italian cuisine in the heart of Dundarave, new local favourite Bar Olo serves delicious Italian plates alongside creatively crafted cocktails. The seafood-centric menu at The Beach House is the cherry on top of the restaurant’s prime location in front of Dundarave Beach, which allows for incredible views of the Burrard Inlet and beyond.
It takes a village to make a village
Choosing to eat and shop at locally-owned businesses has a tremendous influence on the longevity of both the local economy and the local culture within West Vancouver.
“There is a clear desire for people to connect with and support small neighbourhood businesses,” O’Brien says. “A slight change in where and how you shop will have a big impact on a small business.”
It takes a village to make a village, and these intentional choices to support local can ensure that small businesses in Ambleside and Dundarave continue to be a mainstay in their neighbourhoods for years to come.
For more information, visit www.shopthevillages.ca
