Calgary

With its wide green spaces merging with multiple coffee shops and occasional art installations and exhibitions, Inglewood is one of Calgary's most characteristic neighborhoods, housing many local small businesses. You can pay a visit to Cody & Sioux for Western apparel, The Knitting Tree if you're searching for items made with yarn and The Next Page Bookstore to find your next good read.

This district of 17th Avenue, also called The Red Mile, is a good destination for those who are looking for fashion accessories: here you can find boutiques selling scarves and ties, jewelry, eyewear, but also stores selling music equipment and Indian carpets. There are plenty of bars and cafes as well if you need a quick stop.

Calgary Farmer's Market aims to support the city's growers and small businesses, by providing a space where they can sell locally grown products. It has more than 70 vendors selling not only fresh produce, meat and all things food, but also crafted goods, pet products, art and jewelry items. They also host season-themed events, often featuring live music.

The CrossIron Mills shopping center was built also as an homage to Alberta itself: it is divided into six "neighborhoods" with designs and architecture themed around the province's landmarks and well-known spots. The retailers here sell a range of items that include fashion products for men and women, kids' toys, furniture and technology. The tour culminates in a food court, but there is also an entertainment center equipped with a cinema.

The modest entrance to Fair's Fair Books hides lines of shelves filled with books of different genres that you can browse at your leisure. DVDs and accessories are also available, and they offer trade and sell services, where you can bring in your own used books to get either cash or store credit in exchange for them.