Eat, shop and play local during LiveLocalKW

LiveLocalKW was Kitchener-Waterloo’s one week challenge to eat, shop and play local and get access to great deals.

Founder Juliana Gomez created LiveLocalKW in 2014 to grow our sense of community and belonging. “After moving to Latin America, I was still so in love with Kitchener-Waterloo and the opportunity to showcase the burgeoning shops, services and experiences I organized a volunteer group that coordinates from abroad,” says Gomez.

More than 40 Kitchener-Waterloo businesses are on board this year offering awesome discounts to residents for the week. Experience a movie at Apollo Cinema, get 10% off your coffee at Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters, or get active with discounts at Queen Street Yoga and Amma Yoga.

“There's something special about a collective, intensified effort to build up the ideal city you want to live in,” says Sam Trieu, volunteer. “LiveLocalKW is a celebration and acknowledgement of what's special in our own backyard - and shines a light on the small businesses that have made Kitchener-Waterloo a vibrant place to live and play. It's one more love letter to our hometown, from new and old locals.”

With retail shops, esthetician services, a brewery, art and food businesses taking part in the initiative there is something for everyone to enjoy.

“It may seem silly to say buy local when you already grab food nearby, and have drinks after hours close to work, but this campaign is also about being mindful about supporting home-grown business and geeking out over local pride,” explains Trieu. “As Canadians, I don't think we do that enough and as Kitchener-Waterloo residents definitely don't do that enough.”