Heart of The Community: A Guide to Small Businesses We Love
Small businesses are the heart of any community, they are a collection of individuals who have put their heart and soul into starting a company in their local communities. Mini Mall Storage recognizes the hard work that it not only takes to start a business, but how small local businesses can uplift and have positive impacts on communities. We have put together a list of some small businesses in cities and towns that we are fortunate enough to operate our own business in. Let us take you through our guide to small businesses we love!
North Vancouver, BC
With 2.6 million people living in Vancouver and the surrounding areas, there is guaranteed to be some amazing small businesses! Let’s explore some of our favorites in North Vancouver.
With humble beginnings, Earnest Ice Cream was created in 2012 and was sold to ice cream lovers on an ice cream tricycle. From the Vancouver Farmers Market to owning their own brick and motor, Erica and Ben took their dreams of delicious flavors and have now turned their idea into a thriving small business in the heart of North Vancouver.
Running a business with your family can be a challenge, but not at Laughing Bean Coffee Co! This company has embodied the word “family” ensuring that all their customers feel like family and that their local coffee shop is a home away from home. Located in the community of East Vancouver, coffee lovers will enjoy handcrafted coffee while catching up with friends or savoring the nostalgia of reading a book with the comfort of warm coffee in their hands.
Let the sound of your favorite song take you away at Red Cat Records, this locally owned vinyl record store is the perfect place to slow down and find some new music or rediscover an artist your forgot about. You can’t miss Red Cat Records; its vibrant red paint draws you in and the friendly staff will keep you coming back.
Calgary, AB
Did you know that Calgary has the second highest number of small businesses per capita in Canada? There is a reason why so many people move to Calgary to pursue their dreams of opening their own business! Calgary is for the dreamers, and here are some local small businesses that made their dreams come true in this city!
A woman with a dream to not only inspire her own daughters but also cultivate and environment for women to connect and embrace their own personal styles and beauty. Heist Boutique located by the Canadian Olympic Park in Calgary, has stylish clothes and a helpful staff that really knows their stuff! Want to take your shopping to the next level? Heist offers shopping parties that include a stylist for you and your girlfriends!
Cats? They got em’! Regal Cat Cafe is unique in the fact that you can get a coffee and snuggle up to adoptable cats in the cafe. The cafe is owned by The MEOW Foundation, a local cat rescue, in the cafe you can grab a coffee and some cuddles! The kitty kingdom is a separate room where the cats can relax, and you can visit if you are considering adopting a kitty. Come for the cats and stay for the treats, this cafe also offers some delicious treats to snack on while you visit.
There is nothing like that feeling of a book in your hand, the way it feels, the smell of a new book or an old favorite, the only thing that might be better is shopping for them in the oldest bookstore in Calgary! Good reads, good vibes, even better small business, Owl’s Nest is not only a great resource for books and book clubs alike, but also for local authors who want to submit their books to be sold.
Columbus, OH
When thinking about where and how to open a small business, Columbus, OH just might be the place to do it. Columbus has several organizations that support local businesses and helps those to reach their dreams and enrich their communities. Let’s look at some of the small businesses that make Columbus great!
Community, connection, and bikes, some of the words you will hear in Franklinton Cycle works. This community bike shop is more than just a place to purchase and repair bikes, here you will find a community of likeminded people who collaborate and teach each other how to be better and learn more. FCW believes in co-working, co-learning, and that everyone, regardless of knowledge has a place in this cycle shop. Come into FCW and embrace the community of cyclists!
Self-care days have never been better thanks to 3rd and Sycamore! Indulge in their handmade bath and body products that leave your skin feeling amazingly smooth. From a soap making hobby to a thriving business today, owners Jim and Candyce have grown their business from just a simple dream, to adding Scott and Lindsay to the company and expanding to multiple locations. If sustainable beauty and natural products are important to you, then 3rd and Sycamore will be your go to.
From humble beginnings as a pop-up shop during the holidays, Celebrate Local has expanded to become a retail outlet in the East Town Center near Columbus, OH. This unique business focuses on selling products from nearly 200 Ohio based artists and craftsmen, giving them a platform to sell their art. Not only did this store start small but they now give a platform for other small, local families and businesses to sell and spread information about their brand, how cool is that!
Chattanooga, TN
Known as The Scenic City, Chattanooga is a hub for local small businesses to thrive. MarketWatch named Chattanooga as one of the top cities to start a business, perfect for young entrepreneurs and those who have always pushed to make their dreams come true. Wanting to take the plunge into running your business? Take a look at some of the small business success stories in Chattanooga.
Allgood’s Used Books and Coffee
Find this cute bookshop and coffee house in the heart of East Chattanooga which has been known to the local community as a safe place to gather and express yourself. Connect with others through the love of literature and a warm cup of coffee, you might even discover a new book to read, a new friend, or a delicious pastry that will quickly become your newest obsession. Allgood’s is a black owned business in Chattanooga and supports local performers and events happening in the community.
Owned and operated by a family of cheese lovers, Bleu Fox is a paradise for those who want to try new cheeses and support local! This family has a passion for cheese and has ensured their shop is filled with some of the best tasting and unique options out there. Cheese isn’t the only thing they’re good at, pairing is their specialty! Their friendly staff can point you to the perfect jam, cracker, or even honey to top off your cheese.
Michelle Nelson has taken her passion for all things interior design and turned it into a blossoming small business! If you are looking to make your home something out or Architectural Digest, then Alignable Interior Design is your go to. Michelle has a portfolio that speaks for itself and has done some tricky projects like redesigning and auto-body shop.
Waterloo, ON
A thriving University district of Ontario, Waterloo is home to students and people alike who make their mark in the community. Waterloo has firmly placed itself in the tech industry but there are small businesses here outside of tech that are making positive impacts on the community and are cherished among the residents of Kitchener and Waterloo. Let’s Explore!
Five decades of mouthwatering Italian delicacies that started in the home of Vincenzo and Rita Caccioppoli. Today their son’s Tony and Carmine run Vincenzo’s and still keep the same quality and variety that customers expect from this grocery store. Locally owned and a small business, Vincenzo’s is your go to for authentic Italian Canadian foods along with other Mediterranean countries that will keep your mouth watering.
Found in the heart of Uptown Waterloo, Cafe 22 owner, Daniela Balta immigrated from Romania and brought European flavour to this cafe and the people of Waterloo. By day the cafe has cooked to perfection bites made with fresh ingredients, and the most important thing, love. When the sunsets, Cafe 22 turns into a candlelit destination for date night!
On the hunt for the perfect toy or have been trying to complete your set of collectibles? Look no further than J&J Cards & Collectibles. Brothers Jim and Jason Schill have opened a gamer and collectors sanctuary. J&J strives to ensure that they have full product lines on collector items and boasts one of the largest selections of board games and puzzles. Tap into your inner child or get the perfect gift here!
Morgantown, WV
Embodying the spirit of community and Entrepreneurship is what Morgantown, WV brings to the small business scene. From artisanal brews to handmade crafts, Morgantown’s small businesses are the backbone of the city!
Does a perfect bean exist? We think so with Mountaineer Roasting! Founded in 2017 this coffee brand aims to make exceptional coffee in the Mountain State of West Virginia. Humbly starting off as a wholesale roaster for cafes in the region, Mountaineer Roasting opened their first standalone roastery and cafe in 2021. Stop by and grab their signature house blend drip coffee, it won’t disappoint!
Tanner’s Alley Leather Design Studio
A simple hobby while serving in the 101st Airborne Division, Charles McEwuen took his love of creating leather goods and created a small business that has been operating for 48 years now. Tanner’s Alley has been creating quality leather goods in Morgantown and servicing the surrounding areas.
A shop grown from the desire to showcase her own art, Owner Stephanie decided to open Hoot and Howl to give local artists a chance to showcase their handcrafted products and highlight small batch businesses. With numerous accolades from Morgantown and West Virginia for being among award winning gift shops, you will not be disappointed with the selections here!
The Heart of Communities
Small businesses are at the heart of any community, they are locally owned by people who live and connect with the towns they reside in. These are just some of the many incredible businesses that Mini Mall Storage recognizes in the communities we are fortunate enough to do business in.
When your small business needs renovations, expands, or has over-flowing inventory, Mini Mall Storage has a solution! We offer a variety of self storage solutions that are perfect for any business. Call us today to find self storage near you!