Calling All Shoppers! Here Are 31+ Small Canadian Brands to Buy From Now
Fashion, beauty, wellness & more from across the country. Shop and support these brands now and forever.
Calling all shoppers! There’s just something satisfying about shopping small. Wouldn’t you agree? And even more satisfying when that small brand is from your home country. In this case, Canada. Although I’m now living in Los Angeles, my heart will always be thankful for growing up in Victoria, BC and spending 9 years living in Toronto. (Ps. I’m writing a Christmas novel set in my hometown that’s tentatively publishing this November. Stay tuned.)
Shopping from small Canadian brands is so important. Especially during these… times. Why? For starters, it offers a unique and infinitely more personal experience, alongside quality craftsmanship and authenticity. These brands often prioritize sustainable practices and ethical production, showcasing the rich diversity and creativity of Canadian artisans. By choosing to support these smaller businesses, consumers contribute to local economies. Plus, these designers and boutique owners foster a sense of community with their customers. Each purchase becomes a story, reflecting the passion and dedication of the creators behind the products, making these items not just purchases but thoughtful investments in individuality and responsible consumption.
It’s been a while since I’ve blogged about small Canadian brands & businesses to shop and support. In 2020, I posted this one featuring 13 Canadian brands and in 2022 I wrote this post about small Canadian brands to spread the word about. This time, not only have I combined those two lists, I’ve added a couple dozen more. Here are the brands and businesses to support now and forever.
Ps. Nothing in this post is sponsored. I just thought these brands were cool and worthy of spending your money on. A lot of them I’ve personally purchased from, and some of them are as new to me as they might be to you. I’ll update the list as I find more boutiques and businesses!
Let’s get shopping.
Beauty
SSSOAPS
Designed and crafted in a boutique studio in Toronto, SSSOAPS mainly focuses on bar soap, aromatics, and fragrance. They use natural ingredients of the highest quality and are free of all animal products and testing. Plus, their soaps are gorgeous so what’s not to love?
With the goal of benefiting people and the planet, Birch Babe was founded by a mother and two daughters in Northbrook, Ontario. They offer natural, vegan and cruelty-free skin, body, baby, and clean beauty products. Ps. That’s my auntie in the reel asking if they’re wholly Canadian owned.
Vintage Noon
If you love to travel, you’ll adore Vintage Noon, a totally Canadian and minority-owned brand. These skincare products “transcend the typical boundaries of gender” and help regulate your skin after jet-setting takes its unglamorous toll. Effective, inclusive, and nostalgic.
Cheekbone Beauty
One of the first Indigenous-owned and founded cosmetics companies, Cheekbone Beauty offers a wide range of makeup: lip gloss, eyeliner, blush & bronzer sets. And it’s all vegan.
“We are bending beauty with the intent to redefine what it is to live and feel beautiful.” From candles to collagen and supplements, Bend Beauty is focused on bettering bodies and the environment. Check out their sustainability story here.
Rocky Mountain Soap
Handmade with 100% natural, simple, ingredients, Rocky Mountain Soap firmly believes in the power of the natural world. Soaps, scrubs, serums—everything is manufactured in the Canadian Rockies. And if you live in a super cold climate, here’s a fun fact for you: their hand cream won’t freeze in your car!
This Toronto-based brand is made in Canada, natural, sustainable, and cruelty free—need I say more? The brand’s roots are firmly planted lakeside in the city’s Beaches neighbourhood, with a focus on body and fragrance.
All natural, handmade soap. “From it's conception to final product, each creation is prepared and packaged by hand at the Mellow Bath and Body headquarters, north of Toronto.” Shop bar soaps, bath soaks, mood mists, and more on the Mellow website.
Bilston Creek Farm
Made with pure botanicals, lavender, honey and apples, everything from Bilston Farm is crafted by hand in Victoria, BC. They grow, harvest, and distill everything on the farm. Get everything from essential oils and lip balms to toning mists and bath salts.
Selv Rituel
Slow living is at the forefront of Selv Rituel. Handmade (mostly) in Montreal, they offer bath, shower, body, and mind products that promote me time, slowness, and daily rituals. A really cute gift idea—or if you just want to try it out yourself—is their Surprise Box full of self care goodies.
“Your hair’s already your best accessory—we’re here to make it even better.” Made using quality materials, every Supercrush hair accessory is tested for all-day durability. Mother and daughter team, Shelby and Courtney, may have started the brand by accident but it’s here to stay.
Fashion
If you’re looking for a good investment piece that’s both flattering and timelessly on-trend, look no further than Pradegal. Designed and developed in Vancouver, these well-edited wardrobe staples are eternal. Feel good, look even better.
Uncle Studios
Available online and on Ossington Avenue in Toronto, Uncle Studios was founded in 2019 by Allegra Shaw and Shirin Soltani. Together they create “clothes that make you feel good.” Less is more, and their wardrobe staples will last a lifetime in your closet. Outfit repeating encouraged.
Jayelle Styles
Based in Toronto with a killer eye for thrift store finds, Jayelle Styles is bringing sustainable style to the wardrobes of every cool girl across the GTA, and the country. DM the woman behind the brand to purchase on Instagram.
AUSMA
Inspired by white sand and golden sunlight, AUSMA is bringing the beach to the city with handmade jewelry crafted from Baltic amber, natural silk, and freshwater pearls. Everything is small-batch and Canadian made.
Jenny Bird
Prepare to get endless compliments when you wear jewelry from Jenny Bird. Lightweight, statement earrings are at the forefront of the Canadian brand, headquartered in Toronto.
Sustainably made in Vancouver, Harly Jae was founded in 2017 and offers a range of wardrobe staples and pregnancy-friendly options. “We apply the slow fashion framework to the following elements of our business: design, textiles, production, packaging, overstock, waste, and growth.”
Cuchara
This Toronto-based jewelry brand was founded in Victoria, BC after designer Edi Candeo began repurposing an old sports car into cute accessories. From chunky hoops to snake rings and birthstones, Cuchara has something for everyone. “We believe in the power of elevation when it comes to your average everyday jewelry.”
NACU STUDIOS
You won’t find fast fashion offerings at NACU—unless, of course, they’re repurposed and given new life as a sustainable garment. Founded in 2018 by Alissa Lapid, each item is handmade-to-order in Toronto. You’ll find elevated streetwear and “seasonless” clothing from this small Canadian brand.
ORA-C Jewelry
Designer Caroline Pham launched ORA-C in 2015. Each piece is meticulously made by hand at her studio in Montreal. More like sculptural wearable art, these earrings, rings, bracelets, and more are sure to turn heads.
Maylyn & Co.
This snooze-worthy but not slept on brand is Toronto-based, woman-owned, and made for the aesthetic sleeper.
HIRRS
If you like Skims, you’ll love HIRRS. Cute and comfortable, these performance-ready undergarments are made in Vancouver with modern women in mind. “We've done away with traditional expectations, eliminated superfluous details, and abolished uncomfortable wires, tags and clasps.”
Little Buck
Founded by a small-town married couple, Little Buck began after their son was born premature and spent a month in the hospital. Being that small, they realized it was difficult to find anything that fit him properly—and was stylish. A portion of sales go toward benefiting their local NICU.
Bohème
Bohème is made for everyone and every body. “We offer custom tailoring for our made to order styles and hemming for everything else. By supporting us, you support the small businesses we support. It's a butterfly effect.”
Left On Friday
After meeting on the product team at lululemon, Left On Friday founders started their own brand, stemming from being frustrated with the current swimsuit offerings out there. They wanted something that could do it all: from surfing to sinking into a bubbling hot tub. All swimwear is designed in Vancouver.
Jacoba Jane
This Tofino-based brand offers “a step into a world where beauty feels effortless, refined, and enduring” with their selective range of silk dresses, skirts, and slinky tops. Each garment is designed on Vancouver Island and is made to be worn, cherished, and passed down.
Hilary MacMillan
Hilary MacMillan “focuses on using high-quality, cruelty-free materials in bold colours and exceptional textures when designing every product, with 60% of our production happening within Canada.”
Wellness
Joni
To put it simply, Joni is “game-changing plant-based period care that works.” With your purchases, the brand donates 5% of revenue to their non-profit partners across Canada. Another exciting thing about Joni: they offer subscriptions! No more running out of your monthly necessities.
Good Life Juice
If you’re into nourishment and feeling the best you can, then these juices are for you. Another thing to feel good about? “We donate 2% of all profits to charity, 98% of our bi product is donated to local farmers, and we sponsor cancer patients on Vancouver Island with healing juices.”
Aphina
This small Canadian brand “creates beauty inspired, high performance supplements powered by nature. We believe that wellness should be beautiful, effortless, and full of possibility. Aphina supports your everyday lifestyle with luxurious ease, and empowers you redefine health and beauty on your terms, at any age.”
PAUME
Based in Toronto, PAUME is a luxury hand care company that provides moisturizers and sanitizers that smell amazing and work even better. If you’re a new parent, their antibacterial hand gel is a must. Their products are “specially formulated for youthful, polished hands.”
Books
This used bookstore is a third generation, family-owned company that was founded in Montreal in 1961. With another branch of the business opening in Victoria, BC in 1991, they’ve made a gargantuan impact on the bookish community from their Fort Street location.
A local, independent Leslieville, Toronto bookshop with a never-ending supply of books to add to your TBR.
A bookish destination for more than 60 years, Munro’s Books is nestled into a historic location on Government Street in downtown Victoria.
Melina Maria Morry
It doesn’t get much more small Canadian brand than my own bookstore. I have copies of my stylish chick lit novel The Manhattan Mishap and my heartfelt, humorous short story collection Thirteen Emotions available in paperback and eBook. Thank you in advance for shopping!
Lifestyle
Suzanne Gardner Flowers
This cute flower shop is the “GTA & Dufferin County's premium florist offering European inspired floral arrangements, potted plants & succulents and more.”
Catherine & Co
Looking for a unique scent? “Catherine & Co. is a Toronto-based candle company known for making candles that spark conversation. We started with a mission to anticipate the next hobby craze and have become known for our fun candle names, delightful fragrances and unique scents.”
Gabriele Emilija
I’m always down for a small business in my hometown. “Rooted in her Baltic heritage, Gabriele is an oil and acrylic artist based in Vancouver Island. Her work draws inspiration from the natural beauty she experiences everyday.”
If you’re a gin lover and you haven’t tried Sheringham’s Seaside Gin, I implore you to find a bottle ASAP. It’s the best gin I’ve ever had and makes the ideal G&T during those hot summer months. Ps. The distillery is on Vancouver Island and continues to work hard at staying true to their West Coast roots.
Artisan Wine Shop
This wine shop offers a thoughtful selection of small-batch, organic BC wines that are in constant rotation. “Our wine store is a place to share stories of the Okanagan Valley, socializing in a community of curious wine drinkers. Our job is to help you cut through all the noise and get right to tasting our favourite BC producers.”
Rosehall Run Vineyard
Founded in 2000, Rosehall Run is one of the earliest Prince Edward County wineries. My husband and I went on a tasting here once and left with an armful of wines, each of which were delicious.Coterie 72
If you’ve never tried a wine subscription, change that. “We call it an experience, not a wine box, because it holds more than bottles of wine. It’s a perfect way to enjoy a moment, a sip that’s utterly delightful and opens up a new world of taste.”
Food
Vancouver Island in a Box
Launched as a way for Vancouver Island locals to share a taste of where they (and we, because I’m a proud Island girl, too) come from, these boxes bring together the best brands the slice of land has to offer. From chocolates to coffee, trail mix, teas, and more.
Purdy’s Chocolates
Proudly Canadian since 1907, Purdy’s offers something sweet for every palate. Personally, I think these are some of the best chocolates ever, but you’ll have to try them for yourself.
Smoke & Tears
Self-described as a “decade-long passion-project turned pandemic-pivot”, Smoke & Tears offers a burning range of award-winning hot sauces that are vegan, plant-based, low in sodium & sugar, gluten-free, with no nuts, dairy, additives, or preservatives. Made in Toronto.
Muskoka Roastery Coffee
Along with being Canadian to the core, Muskoka Roastery was also the first brand in Canada to launch with 100% compostable pods and the first in North America to completely convert to Rainforest Alliance certified beans. Plus, they offer great coffee at a reasonable price.
Honored to be included in this list! Thanks for sharing <3
Obsessed with this list and so honoured to be included 🫶