Toronto is a city of neighborhoods, each with its rhythm, voice, and entrepreneurial spirit. Whether it’s a barbershop in Kensington Market, a cleaning service in Scarborough, or a boutique fashion brand in Queen West, small businesses are the heartbeat of this city. And few understand this better than Gordon Frank, a longtime entrepreneur and community advocate who is making it his mission to promote local loyalty across Toronto.
In a marketplace increasingly dominated by large corporations and online giants, Gordon Frank is reminding Torontonians of the quiet power of choosing local.
Buy Local, Build Local
Every time you support a Toronto-based business, you’re doing more than making a purchase; you’re casting a vote for your city’s future. According to LOCO BC, nearly 63 cents of every dollar spent at a local business stays in the community, compared to just 14 cents when spent at a multinational retailer.
“When you hire or shop local, you’re funding someone’s rent, a kid’s art class, or the dream of a young entrepreneur,” Gordon Frank explains. “It’s the most direct investment in Toronto’s economic well-being.”
In a city as large and diverse as Toronto, small businesses play a disproportionately significant role in community cohesion. They hire locally, source, and give back to local charities and events.
Toronto’s Ties That Bind
From Leslieville to Liberty Village, Gordon Frank works closely with businesses across the city. Whether it’s mentoring new entrepreneurs, co-sponsoring initiatives, or helping local companies scale their digital presence, he believes in the power of connection and collaboration.
“Supporting local isn’t a trend,” he says. “It’s a responsibility, especially in a city like Toronto, where culture, commerce, and community intersect.”
He’s especially vocal about the role local businesses played during the pandemic, keeping essential services running, adapting overnight, and serving communities when it mattered most.
Small Businesses, Big Impact
Toronto’s small business owners have had to be resilient. Rising rent, shifting consumer behavior, and inflation pressures continue to challenge the independent business scene.
“If we want these businesses to survive and thrive, then we have to be intentional about where we spend our money,” says Gordon. “Convenience shouldn’t come at the cost of community.”
This is more than economics; it’s about shaping the kind of city we want to live in.
What You Can Do to Support the 6ix
Gordon Frank urges all Torontonians to take simple, powerful steps:
- Shop Local First, whether it’s fashion, food, or home services.
- Leave Positive Reviews on Google or Yelp to boost visibility.
- Tag and share your favorite small businesses on social media.
- Attend Pop-Up Markets, Art Walks, and Local Festivals that showcase independent brands.
Toronto has long been a city of immigrants, innovators, and independent thinkers. Its small businesses reflect that same energy, resourceful, resilient, and relentlessly creative.
Gordon Frank knows that supporting local businesses is about more than transactions; it’s about transformation.
When you buy local in Toronto, you’re not just buying a product. You’re buying into a better, more connected city.