Discovery
Brew, Beauty and Bounty: A curated list of Â鶹ÊÓƵ-linked grad-owned, Canadian-based small shops
Like many Canadians, you may have changed your shopping habits lately. As the tariff tussle with the U.S. rages, choosing how to spend has become an exercise in patriotism for some.
So if you’re locked in on local, why not go hyper-local by bolstering U of A alumni-owned businesses? Whether you’re stocking your cooler, pantry or wardrobe, here’s a taste of what U of A grads have to offer.
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If you’re raising a glass, you might want to try strawberry-rhubarb or garlic vodka, or even “brum” made from sugar beets, produced at in Leduc County, Alta. Founded by Geoff Stewart, ’93 Dip(DentHyg), Rig Hand is one of the pioneering craft distilleries in Alberta. The grain-to-glass distillery now offers 80 different products, including gin, whisky and liqueurs, alcohol-free options and ready-to-drink cocktails.
Since launching the family-run business in 2014, Stewart, who does much of the distilling himself, has transformed it into a countryside destination — expanding to include a restaurant, an event space featuring live music and a working farm.
“The wheat that I’m grinding today to make vodka, I combined off our own land last fall,” says Stewart, adding that other grains are sourced from surrounding farms.
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With patio season around the corner, a glass of craft-brewed suds might be just the thing. Founded 30 years ago, is one of Alberta’s longest-running craft breweries. It’s now owned by Cameron French, ’11 BCom, who purchased the company in 2020 from one of the original founders.
While his background in accounting is an advantage, French says he also thrives on being involved with all aspects of the brewery, from planning a new product to seeing it land on store shelves.
“You have to broaden your horizons. There’s a lot of pieces involved when putting a whole business together,” French says.
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Are you in the mood for a different kind of brew? is a small batch, specialty coffee roaster run by wife and husband team Kellie Wahl, ’11 BSc(EnvSci), and Ian Wahl ’11 BEd, who met as students at the U of A. The idea to open a roastery came after coffee-lover Ian received a home roaster as a gift, says Kellie, who admits she didn’t drink coffee at the time. Amazed at how much better the coffee tasted, they started Alternate Route (the name is a nod to their unexpected detour as entrepreneurs) as a mobile roastery and café in 2018, before opening their permanent location near the Edmonton International Airport.
Now a “coffee nerd,” Kellie says coffee provides more than just a jolt of caffeine. “The community that coffee can bring together is really special,” she says of the relationships they’ve built along the way. “People can always connect over a cup.”
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To satisfy your sweet tooth, founder Alysia Lok, ’10 BSc(Nutr/Food), has developed a line of crunchy-yet-chewy bite-sized snacks. Since 2017, Lok has been elevating cornflakes from a simple breakfast cereal to clusters of hand-crafted, caramel-covered delights. Using her background in food and nutrition, Lok also develops specialty flavours such as chai latte and London fog latte.
After graduating, Lok worked in the financial services sector but later sought to turn her passion for food and cooking into a career. “Food is my love language,” she says. She was determined to make a snack for everyday munching.
“I’m a professional snacker. I have a huge snack pantry,” Lok says. “I really think people should be able to enjoy [snacks] every day without feeling too guilty.”
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If your wardrobe needs a spruce-up, you can find a selection of Canadian-designed apparel and accessories at , an Edmonton boutique owned by Tannis Davidson, ’96 BA.
While the trade war has sparked a wave of patriotic purchasing, Davidson says she has been promoting Canadian and ethically sourced products since she started the business 20 years ago.
“This is who I am, and who I’ve always been,” says Davidson. A Canadian studies and political science major, she says she was probably one of the few 12-year-olds who enjoyed watching Canadian parliamentary highlights on TV. In fact, opening a boutique wasn’t her first career choice. “When I was 14, I was going to be the first female prime minister, but Kim Campbell, ’10 LLD (Honorary), took that away from me,” she jokes.
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When it comes to self-care, , founded by Carrie Armstrong, ’03 BEd, offers beauty and wellness products that incorporate Canadian plants and Indigenous healing traditions. From sweetgrass soap to peppermint-sage shampoo and cedar mist, Armstrong says her products are inspired by traditional teachings from her Cree grandmother.
“She shared all of this beautiful plant knowledge that was handed down to her,” Armstrong says of her grandmother. “[But] there was also a lot of shame and fear around [that knowledge]” due to the legacy of residential schools. Armstrong says after starting her career teaching at an Indigenous high school, she realized she wanted to share her knowledge on a larger scale. She launched Mother Earth Essentials in 2006 “to showcase and celebrate the beauty of Indigenous plants.”
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If you’re in need of a little TLC, . offers a little dose of luxury without breaking the bank, says founder Jaylyn Prasad, ’14 BEd.
Inspired by her Filipino heritage, LUHO, a Tagalog word meaning “luxury,” produces scented candles made from coconut-apricot wax and infused with Asian-inspired aromas, such as lychee rose, Vietnamese coffee and lavender lemongrass.
“I want people to have a little “luho” in their lives. It’s just something to brighten someone’s day,” says Prasad, a high school teacher who co-owns the business with her sister Jaysicca Prasad, ’17, BA, ’24 BEd, and their cousin Kenneth Matutino.
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Kristen Mackie, ’06 BA, ’09 BEd, likes to add a little sparkle to people’s lives with jewelry from the company she founded, . Starting with local markets in 2013, Mackie now sells her designs at retail outlets across the country and online. eLiasz and eLLa has recently expanded to designing and manufacturing recognition products, such as pins and medallions. As a small business owner, Mackie says adapting to changing market conditions has been key.
“It takes grit, resilience and perseverance to make it as a small business in Canada.”
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