By Steven Kieboom, Owner of The Local BOOM Gift Shop
I don’t usually write op-eds — but these are not usual times.
Like many Canadians, I’ve been feeling the uncertainty that’s been hanging in the air lately. Between aggressive rhetoric coming out of the U.S., renewed “America First” economic pressure, and a general sense that the world feels less stable than it used to, it’s normal to feel anxious about what the future holds for Canada.
What I do know is this: we are not powerless. And we are absolutely not alone.
Why The Local Boom Started in 2017
The Local Boom was born in 2017, during the first Trump administration. At the time, there was a loud and clear push to “Buy American.” As a Canadian, and as someone deeply invested in small businesses, makers, and entrepreneurs, that moment crystallized something for me.
If the U.S. was going to double down on buying American, then Canada needed to double down on buying Canadian.
So I started The Local Boom.
For nearly eight years now, we’ve been doing our part — pumping money back into the Canadian economy in a very real, very tangible way. Every candle, every skincare product, every greeting card, every snack, every gift that passes through our shop represents a Canadian entrepreneur being supported.
It might not make headlines. But it matters.
The Original — and Still Different
Over the years, many businesses have tried to duplicate our model. I take that as a compliment.
But The Local Boom remains the original — and intentionally different.
We’ve always focused on creating a feel‑good shopping experience rooted in:
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Supporting Canadian‑owned brands
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Prioritizing natural, healthy, and thoughtfully made products
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Curating with care (not just filling shelves)
Our shop brings together a wide mix of Canadian-made goods, including:
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Handmade items
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Specialty foods
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Pins and stickers
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Incense, smudging, and ritual goods
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Gifts and stationery
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Perfumes
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Flowers
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Custom and small-batch products
Every item is chosen intentionally. Every brand has a story. And every purchase supports someone building something here in Canada.
Why Shopping Local — Even a Little — Makes a Huge Difference
It’s easy to think that small purchases don’t matter. But the math tells a very different story.
When you shop at a Canadian business, over 66 cents of every dollar stays in the Canadian economy.
When you shop with large American corporations or conglomerates, less than 12 cents per dollar stays here.
Let’s break that down:
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A $10 purchase at a local Canadian shop keeps about $6.60 circulating in Canada
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A $40 purchase at a foreign corporation keeps less than $4.40 here
So yes — a $10 local purchase can actually do more for Canada than a $40 corporate one.
That’s not political. That’s just math.
Small choices, repeated by many people, add up to real economic resilience.
You Are Not Alone
If you’re feeling uneasy, overwhelmed, or anxious about world events — you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone.
One of the things I’m most proud of is that The Local Boom has become more than just a store. It’s a community hub — a place of acceptance, warmth, and connection.
We hear your concerns. We feel them too.
That’s why we continue to work hard to bring together 300+ Canadian brands and entrepreneurs under one roof — creating a space where supporting local feels easy, hopeful, and human.
Canada Will Come Out on Top
I genuinely believe this.
Canada remains one of the few countries that continues to stand behind:
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Inclusivity
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Acceptance
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Multiculturalism
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Entrepreneurship
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Freedom
These values aren’t weaknesses. They’re strengths.
And frankly — the world needs more of them.
The world needs more Canada.
Come Visit Us
Whether you’re right here in our community, elsewhere in Canada, or across the ocean — you’re welcome at The Local Boom (504 Broadway E, Vancouver BC)
Every visit, every purchase, every small act of support helps keep Canadian creativity, independence, and resilience alive.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
— Steven
*PS: (We currently do not ship to the USA.)
