No home is perfect the moment you purchase it—that is, unless you built and designed it yourself. Home design trends change so quickly, so chances are that your new Edmonton home can stand for a few upgrades. Renovating your home can not only be costly, but it can be time consuming. And if you just purchased your home, it’s likely that it’ll take some time to save up for your larger home renovations, or even some new appliances. But don’t fret—there are plenty of ways that you can jazz your Edmonton home up quickly & easily!

Upgrade Your Lighting

Though it’s not often that you’ll be staring at your ceiling, proper lighting can really light up your room (literally). Swap out your dated track lighting for pot lights. And that circular lamp that you just can’t stand? Purchase a modern looking chandelier to replace it with! Of course, lighting can be expensive, but thrift stores like More Than A Fad or the ReStore have an overstock of new or lightly-used pieces that will definitely amp up your space.

Swap Out The Hardware

Sure, your kitchen may need some new counters and cabinets. Most kitchens do! But we all know that kitchen renos can cost upwards of tens of thousands of dollars. So, in the meantime, replace your cabinet’s hardware! Trust us—replacing handles goes a long way, and this goes for bathroom and closet hardware, too.

Paint Your Walls 

This one may seem like a no-brainer, but there’s a lot of unique ways to jazz up your home by using a $50 can of paint. Instead of painting your walls all one colour, consider painting a single bright accent wall, or paint arches to accentuate a piece of furniture. And even if you already like the colour of your non-feature walls, giving it a coat of fresh paint is bound to brighten and clean up the space.

Add A Textured Feature Wall

We’ve seen this done first-hand, and adding some texting to your walls certainly elevates the area. Take this for an example! The best part of doing a project like this is that all you need is some polyurethane adhesive and a small step ladder, and you’ll be finished in no time.

Create A Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are in—and they’re here to stay. Though art can often be costly, there are many ways to get your dream gallery wall for cheap. Firstly, check out your local thrift stores—there will be tons of beautiful frames just waiting to be scooped up! If you’re lucky, you might even like the art that’s already inside it. If not, go garage sale hunting, support local artists or find downloadable art on Etsy.

Leverage Stick-On Tile

Another way to spice up your kitchen or bathroom on a budget is to purchase stick-on tile. Not only do you not have to purchase expensive ceramic tile, but you also won’t have to hire anyone to do it for you! Peel-and-stick tile is incredibly easy to install—no tile cutters required.

Purchase Some Area Rugs

You probably know this already, but flooring is expensive. But even if your home’s current floors aren’t up to par, there are still ways to camouflage it in the meantime. Area rugs draw your attention away from any flooring imperfections. And what’s more—placing an area rug overtop of carpet is the easiest way to add some punch to your home without spending hundreds of dollars replacing carpet!

Plants. Lots Of Plants

Though purchasing plants isn’t necessarily a home “fix”, adding some greenery to your living area is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to spruce up your home. Houseplants are proven to improve moods, reduce fatigue, lower stress and improve air quality. So, when in doubt, purchase a plant or two (or ten). Or better yet, ask your friend for a clipping of their plant—that way, it’s free!

We hope our suggestions above help you renovate your space on a budget. And if you have any other ideas, we’d love to hear them! 

So, you’ve made the decision to move to Edmonton—or maybe you’re already a Yegger and just looking to switch things up. Either way, that’s great! We’re here to help you find the right Edmonton neighbourhood for you. Follow along to see what we think the best neighbourhoods in Edmonton for 20-somethings (or beyond) are. And don’t worry, we’ll ensure our choices are activity and budget friendly.

Oliver

For those already living in Edmonton, Oliver is an obvious spot. Located a short walk away from MacEwan University, several grocery stores and various restaurants and pubs, Oliver is a highly desired area in our city. Though it’s only a 10-20-minute talk to the Downtown core, Oliver is filled with towering trees, beautiful parks, and even a large community garden. And if you are planning on having a family, Oliver is home to several day cares, Oliver Elementary School and even has a public swimming pool—perfect for hot summer days! Explore all Oliver Homes for sale here. 

Ottewell

An up-and-coming neighbourhood, Ottewell is a large residential neighbourhood located East-central Edmonton. It’s a short bus ride to the University of Alberta and is filled with parks, long streets (perfect for the avid runner), and even an outdoor skating rink. Not to mention—Anvil Coffee House is a neighbourhood favourite. If you’re looking to purchase your first home, Ottewell is filled with perfect starter bungalows at an affordable cost. Discover all Ottewell Homes for sale here.

Downtown

Depending on your interests, the obvious location of Downtown Edmonton might be perfect for you. In non-pandemic times, Downtown is the hustling and bustling centre of our city, filled with many local eats (like Rosewood Foods and Tiffin), cocktails around every corner (shoutout to The Bower and Woodwork) and is home to Churchill Square—where most of Edmonton’s iconic summer festivals are held. So, if you’re working in one of the Downtown towers and are child-free, you’ll likely love Downtown. Though rent and mortgages tend to be higher, you’ll save a lot of money on transportation and parking if you simply set up fort in the core. Explore all Downtown Edmonton homes for sale. 

Summerside

We understand that not all 20-somethings want to be close to the downtown core. Sometimes we just want an affordable home in a beautiful neighbourhood! In Summerside, you’ll get exactly that. Filled with all the essentials, you’ll never have to leave Summerside. In this newer Edmonton neighbourhood, you’ll find large homes, walkable paths, and both chain & local restaurants. And what’s more, you’ll even find Lake Summerside—a 13-hectare and 28-foot-deep lake where you can swim, fish and even go to unique workshops at! Discover all Summerside Homes for sale.

Ritchie

Ritchie is known for being home to a variety of demographics—the long-time homeowners, the roommates and the young families. With a strong sense of community, you can’t go wrong with choosing a home in Ritchie. If you want to support local, you won’t have any troubles doing that in Ritchie as it’s home to favourites like Farrow, ACE Coffee, La Boule and Maven and Grace. And as an added bonus, this eclectic neighbourhood also has three parks and lots of family-friendly activities within a short reach. Explore all Ritchie Homes for sale. 

Woodcroft

And for our final recommendation, we’re bringing you Woodcroft. Woodcroft is the perfect mix of homey residential, heritage and convenience. A neighbourhood built in the 1950s, you’ll find lived-in homes, a roomy park and an abundance of furry friends. And if you’re looking to stay long-term, this neighbourhood is home to Woodcroft Primary School and Ross Shepherd High School. Be sure to check out all Woodcroft homes for sale. 

So, have we convinced you to call Edmonton home yet? The list of incredible Edmonton neighbourhoods doesn’t end here, and we’re happy to talk more with you to find out what area of our city best suites you and your lifestyle. Contact us today to chat about your Edmonton real estate needs.

Ahhh, the sun is shining brighter, the days are getting longer, and the snow is disappearing from the sidewalks. You know what that means… we can finally stop hibernating from the cold! After what seemed like an eternity of winter—with the added element of physical distancing—the end is near. But what now? Though the city will still continue to operate as safe as possible, events are definitely happening this Spring. So we’re here to give you the 411 on all the fun and safe things to do this season.

Imagine Van Gogh

A first of its kind in our city, the Edmonton Convention Centre will transform into a unique cultural project where you can discover a new way of connecting with the work on Vincent Van Gogh. And what’s more—the exhibit will also feature audio from Annabelle Mauger and Julien Baron to add an emotional depth to each image.

Stanley A. Milner Library

Though the new Edmonton library isn’t necessarily a new view, many haven’t yet visited it yet due to the COVID restrictions. Whether you’re a senior, a parent, a teenager or anyone in between, there’s something for you at this library. There’s even recording studios, a children’s area and gaming rooms!

Hawrelak Park Community League Plaza

If you’re out and about for a walk in central Edmonton, you’ll likely want to stop in at the familiar Hawrelak Park to check out the new Community League Plaza! Representing 161 Community Leagues in our beautiful city, this stunning addition to the park celebrates and recognizes the amazing contributions Community Leagues and their volunteers have made to the very fabric and quality of life in Edmonton.

Art Gallery of Alberta

If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity (or solo, that’s okay too!), the Art Gallery of Alberta is definitely the place to visit. The gallery is frequently updating its exhibits, so there’s always something new to see every few months. And the best part—anyone under the age of 18 gets free admission!

Hive Fit Co

We’ve been cooped up for far too long. Though necessary, many of us may feel like we need to get a good sweat in, now more than ever. Well lucky for you, because Hive—a well-loved YEG boutique fitness studio—has recently opened up their brand new location! Hive offers an array of 45-55 minute workout classes, including row, HIIT, yoga and spin. Believe us when we say that you’ll never get a better workout.

Alberta Legislature Grounds

And when in doubt, set up a blanket in the Alberta Legislature grounds, grab your favourite book or meet your favourite friend (at a safe distance), and enjoy the fresh air. Soon enough, the fountains will be spraying, the children will be playing and the beautiful flowers will be blooming all around the park!

We hope this short guide was able to spark some ideas on how to enjoy Spring this year. We’ve made it through the hardest part, and now we finally get a chance to enjoy all that Edmonton has to offer.

Hi, I’m Alli! After years of watching HGTV, I thought that buying a home would be simple and seamless. But boy… was I was wrong. After jumping through what seemed like hundreds of hoops and facing obstacles I didn’t know how to navigate, my partner and I moved into our Edmonton dream home in May 2020. Now, don’t let the above scare you—in the end, it was alllll worth it. And if I figured it out, I promise you can too. Here are 9 things I wish I knew before buying my first home.

1. Get Preliminary Mortgage Approval Before You Even Start Looking

To be completely honest, my partner and I weren’t seriously considering purchasing a home when we first started looking. We saw an Instagram ad for a beautiful downtown loft and decided we wanted to view it. But once we walked in, we were head over heels and decided this was the path we wanted to take (spoiler, we didn’t end up buying this home). The moment we got home from our viewing, we hopped on our laptops and visited our banking websites. The process of getting preliminary approval is actually very easy. It quickly takes your income, credit score and other information into account and provides you with how much you may be able to borrow. But it’s important to know that just because you got preliminary approval for a certain amount, doesn’t mean that’s what you’ll actually what you’ll get (it’s usually wayyy lower). 

2. Find Yourself The Right REALTOR® For You

I consider myself very lucky, because the realtor I ended up going with was actually somebody I knew through a friend (shout out to Elisse from Truhome!). We got along famously, and both my partner and I felt super comfortable communicating what we wanted in a home and what we needed from her. If you ask me, finding a realtor that you’re compatible with is critical. But it’s just as important to find someone who has experience and can confidently advocate and negotiate on your behalf. And lucky for us—we had both of those qualities Elisse. Though we really, really liked the very first home we viewed, Elisse recommended we view a few more to test the waters. After a few “meh” viewings, we walked into our dream home—and that’s when we knew it was go time.

3. Finding A Lender Isn’t As Easy As It Seems

It was now time to take the next step: finding a lender. This is where the preliminary online approval meets full pre-approval. Though these were terms I hadn’t heard before and didn’t even know where to start, Elisse luckily had a contact for a licensed mortgage associate who could work with us. After just meeting Dallas, our mortgage associate, I was in constant communication with her. Through daily phone calls, I had to get a lot of information and documents to her, such as SIN numbers, employment agreements, pay stubs, credit scores, etc. The phone calls truly felt endless, so be sure you get a mortgage associate that you actually like talking to (FYI, Dallas was great)! The home we were interested in came with an added twist: it was a heritage home. Sounds like no biggie, right? Wrong. Lenders actually quite dislike heritage homes—especially for young, first time home buyers. Heritage homes (AKA older homes) come with added risks that a lot of lenders don’t want to deal with, so most of them prefer not to get involved. But finally, despite being told that it was unlikely we would get lender approval on our dream home, a lender finally gave us an offer—which we promptly accepted. Yay! But this didn’t come without having to make changes in our desired down payment, mortgage length and mortgage rate.  

4. Remember That The Timing Will Never Be “Right”

Like I already mentioned, my partner and I weren’t even considering buying a home when we first started looking. And what’s more—we were heading into a global pandemic in the first months of our home buying journey. There were countless moments where we thought that we should just put it on pause and revisit at another time. Afterall, we weren’t even set on buying a home! But as they say—when you know, you know. And we knew we’d regret it if we didn’t move forward in purchasing our dream home. 

5. You Can Negotiate Anything You Want

Just when we thought the most stressful part was over, we now had to put in an offer on the condo and go through negotiations. This is something both my partner and I had no experience in, but thankfully we had our trusty realtor, Elisse, on our side. After a couple days of back and forth negotiating the cost of the home and the possession date, our offer was finally accepted! What I didn’t know before purchasing a home was that you can truly negotiate on anything you want. Do you reeeally like that dining set? Negotiate that it says with the home! For us, we saw a piece of art on the wall that we absolutely adored—it was a photo of the condo building from the 1950s. In addition, we also were able to negotiate a smaller asking price because the home wasn’t professionally cleaned.

6. The Inspection Can Make Or Break It

Oh wait, it’s not over yet?! When it came time for the inspection, we had a unique experience. The moment we got to the condo for the inspection, we realized there was a flood in the laundry room… not a good start. But that was quickly rectified by property management and we moved on with it. Truth be told, there were quite a few issues that the home inspector discovered. The roof and foundation had some damage, the fireplace was broken, and it had some electrical problems. If we wanted, we could have walked away right then and there and gotten our deposit back without any issues. But as you already know, we didn’t go that route. What helped with our decision to move forward was going through a third-party condo document inspection service that took a deep dive into all our condo documents to ensure there wasn’t anything fishy going on. As it turns out, our condo had an impressive reserve fund that had more than enough to cover any needed (or surprise) maintenance. 

7. Don’t Forget About All Of The Hidden Closing Costs

Closing costs are real. They say that you should expect to pay 2-5% of your home’s value in closing costs, and this is something we definitely didn’t account for. After all the legal fees, appraisals, land title changes, pre-paid property taxes, condo document inspections and more… it quickly adds up. So, ensure you have a large buffer to be able to pay these added expenses!

8. Closing Day Isn’t Always Possession Day

This is a minor detail that truly caught me off guard. After hiring a moving company to help us move on closing day, our realtor told us that sometimes you don’t actually get possession on your closing date. Wait—what?! You know when you send an e-Transfer to your friend, but they don’t receive it for hours, maybe even days? The same thing goes for home transfers. On the rare occasion, the transfer simply gets delayed. Meaning, you don’t get the keys to your home until the old homeowner receives the money. Usually, the transfer is sent early in the morning on closing day and gets successfully deposited mid-day. Thankfully for us, this was the exact case—we got our keys around 1 PM and started moving our things at 3 PM.

9. You’ll Never Be Happier

This may seem obvious, but you don’t really know how owning your first home feels like until it happens to you. Turning the key and opening the door to my first home was truly one of the proudest moments of my life! Even though we were living through the first few months of a pandemic, hadn’t seen our friends in family in months, and had no furniture except for a mattress and plastic chairs due to delays in deliveries—we were in pure bliss. Jumping through what felt like hundreds of hoops was so, so worth it in the end.

Are you thinking of purchasing your first home? It doesn’t hurt to contact a realtor and see what’s on the market right now. If you’d like to learn more about my experience, feel free to reach out! Otherwise, I know that my friends at TruHome will be a fabulous help.

Featured Guest Blogger:

Alli Harrison is an Edmonton-based marketing & communications professional with extensive experience working with small businesses. Learn all about her by visiting her Instagram, Twitter & LinkedIn.

Note: Each client’s journey towards home ownership is unique and their own. Curious about the process of buying an Edmonton home, book an Edmonton home buyer consultation today to discuss the steps in the journey. While there is a general guide to getting there, sometimes, the path to get there will shift based on individual client needs and service.

Edmonton Startups & Small Businesses to Keep an Eye On

We can not resist sharing information about great start-ups or small businesses, especially ones that have a local appeal. Being a start-up is hard. It takes real grit and determination, especially in the technology space. To stay in Edmonton and even Canada proves even more challenging when it comes to raising funds and growing beyond our borders. We wanted to celebrate and share some of the businesses we are “cheering” for right now!

DiveThru

You heard it here first, folks! Just kidding—DiveThru has actually been making headlines over the past couple of years, and more recently has been rapidly growing its team and steadily building momentum. DiveThru is a mental wellness platform that provides you with resources to help you divethru what you go thru. Best suited for Millennials and Gen Z, you’ll find hilarious memes, insightful articles and podcasts that will make you laugh, cry and everything in between. DiveThru’s mission is to normalize mental health conversations, and we’re proud that this company is Edmonton (and female!) founded.

dealcloser

Have you ever had to hire a lawyer? Do you remember how many copies of paper you had to sign, and how long it took to get the deal closed? That’s why dealcloser was created—to automate and modernize the old-fashioned deal closing process. Best suited for corporate lawyers, using dealcloser allows lawyers to close more deals, earn more revenue, significantly reduce overhead costs, and bill and collect faster after a deal has closed. And as an added bonus for the client: all documents can be signed electronically from home. Founded in 2017, dealcloser has since made huge strides. In fact—it just announced that it raised it a Seed Round of $1.75 Million!

What’s The Deal?

We all know Edmonton has an incredible restaurant & bar scene, and sometimes it can take forever to settle on a restaurant that everyone agrees with. But doesn’t a discount always help you with your decision? That’s where What’s The Deal? (WTD) comes in. An easy-to-navigate app, WTD allows you to see which restaurants have the best deals on your desired dine-out date. The app is steadily adding restaurants to its roster and is also coming out with a new-and-improved app design in 2021!

Jobber

If you’ve been following the YEG startup scene at all, then you’ve probably already heard of Jobber. A software that helps small home service businesses organize their entire operations (such as scheduling jobs, managing their crews, invoicing customers and collecting payments), it’s no wonder why Jobber is such a popular company. Though it has outgrown its startup label and is now a company with over 250+ employees, we sure are proud that Jobber was founded and is operated in Edmonton.

Unbelts

A small business that everyone can benefit from, Unbelts provides equitably made, long lasting belts & masks. You may be thinking, “but I already have a belt!” and with that you may be right; however, these belts are comfy, flat (no bulk whatsoever) and are machine washable. And trust us—once you get a glimpse (and feel!) of these trendy belts, you’ll never go back to your old ones. Support local and order one today—for yourself or as a gift!

Flik

A community for phenomenal females, Flik connects and empowers women through meaningful 3-month volunteer-based apprenticeships. Within its portal, you’ll discover woman- identifying founders and leaders who can mentor you for three months while you gain career- relevant experience and skills training. Since launching in January 2020, FLIK has matched 1,800 woman founders and apprentices in 50+ countries. We can’t wait to see what FLIK gets up to in 2021!

Showbie

If you’re a teacher or student, it is rather likely that you’ve already used Showbie due to the pandemic. From assignments to collaboration, Showbie helps you bring your classroom together in one simple, easy-to-use app. Combining all of the essential tools for assignments, feedback and communication, Showbie teachers spend less time struggling with their tech setup and more time teaching and learning. In August, Showbie announced that it had raised $5 Million in Series A Funding. We can’t wait to hear what they do next!

Poppy Barley

No matter who you are, you probably like shoes. And you probably like ethically made shoes even more, right? Meet Poppy Barley, a super successful YEG luxury brand that’s rethinking every step of the fashion industry—from design to factory relationships to retail experience. Poppy Barley is more than just a footwear brand—it sells bags, backpacks, face masks and small accessories, too. And to make it even better, Poppy Barley has recently launched a vegan leather line!

Spontivly

Lastly, Spontivly is an all-in-one event management and promotion platform for communities. Essentially, it takes the event management process and simplifies it, saving your company money, time and labour. Sounds ideal, doesn’t it? Spontivly is currently working on its pilot program. If you think you’re a good fit for it, be sure to hop on over to their website to sign up to be a part of it!

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And there you have it! This list is far from complete, and there are so many incredible businesses being launched and running out of this beautiful city of ours. To keep up-to-date with everything YEG startup focused, be sure to check out Startup Edmonton.

Personalized Engagements Net Results

Strength is better in numbers. That statement rang true in November when the final suite in Elm Developments’ 189-unit Hampton Gardens was leased. The strategic partnership between Elm Developments, TruHome, and McCor Property Management ensured that despite the challenges 2020 brought, the Gardens outperformed similar southwest Edmonton properties and was leased at 100% capacity at the end of November. 

At TruHome, we held home-court advantage, supporting Ontario-based Elm Developments through their first Alberta development. Our extensive leasing experience, hyper-local marketing expertise, in-depth knowledge of the community, and social media engagement helped Elm understand the exclusive social and demographic needs of the Hamptons. These assets helped future tenants understand the value of the community, the location, and the amenities available to them in the surrounding areas.

With COVID, we could no longer rely on traditional methods like open houses and events to showcase new units. What can you expect from us?

• Highly personalized showings
• A safe environment, sanitizer, and social distancing
• An exclusive atmosphere, just for you.

The above strategies quickly made available Hamptons Gardens units a hot commodity, and we have continued to offer these personalized touchpoints for clients. 

The Hamptons’ rapid lease-up is uncommon, particularly here in Edmonton. Urban Analytics, a partner of TruHome, shared that  “It’s uncommon for buildings to fill this quickly, especially without incentives. The fact that TruHome and McCor were able to outperform the average occupancy time frame by 50% indicates that the units were priced appropriately, and the rent was kept consistent during the leasing process.” These are all considerations that you should expect from an experienced real estate team. For reference, the average time to fill similar complexes in Alberta is approximately 18 months, more than 50% longer than the Gardens.

If you’re a developer looking to enhance your next rental or for sale project, our team of experts can help you get the results you want. Let’s chat further about how we can help personalize your project to meet its maximum potential. 

With pandemic restrictions in Alberta for the long haul, residents of the Hamptons are enjoying an indoor oasis in their new homes, with luxurious on-site amenities including European inspired kitchens, and styled bathrooms for spa-inspired relaxation. Sound like the slice of paradise you’ve been dreaming of? 

Give us a call or send us a message to chat more about what we can do for you. Because without the promise of a tropical vacation on your horizon, and dropping temperatures here in YEG, you deserve to have your home be the getaway you’ve always wanted. 

Downtown Edmonton Restaurants To support

While We’re Still In Lockdown (and beyond)

It’s cold, it’s dark, and we’re on what seems to be day 5,000 of lockdown. Though ordering delivery pizza for dinner may seem like the easiest option, there are many restaurants in Edmonton that need support right now (and are just as easy to order from)! Here are 8 restaurants in YEG that would be super appreciative of your support—now more than ever. And what’s even better, the food is truly incredible.

1. King Noodle House

Its winter, which means soup is a must. Located in China Town, King Noodle House is offering authentic pho to-go. It’s pick-up and cash only, but you won’t regret supporting this family-owned business!

2. Pazzo Pazzo
A hidden gem, Pazzo Pazzo is an Italian restaurant located in Downtown Edmonton, near City Hall. This quaint restaurant serves Italian classics for lunch and dinner, and they’re currently offering 20% off phone-in pick-up orders. Make sure to try the Penne Pazzo! This is a favourite of Elisse & Caitlin’s. The pasta dishes are a generous size which makes them perfect for sharing!

3. Syphay

We don’t have enough good things to say about this Thai & Lao restaurant! Huge portions, incredible flavour, options galore. This restaurant is family-owned, and is run by three sisters named Katherine, Anita and Shawna. We highly recommend the Tofu Green Curry and the Pan Lad Nha.

4. Mercer Tavern

A pub-style restaurant, Mercer Tavern is always revamping its menu, has a ton of takeout options, and has many meal kits like nacho kits, chips & queso kits, and poutine kits. Yum! And if you’re feeling thirsty, they also have a ready-to-pour take-home drink menu. What’s more—they have their own delivery service!

5. The Local Omnivore

Located closer to 124 St, The Local Omnivore is best known for their meat-heavy and unique dishes. Their current take-out menu consists of a Hot Food menu and a Cold Food menu, and their current everyday special is 4 burgers for $20. If you ask us, the poutine is the best thing on the menu!

6.  Wholly Mac

A brand-new restaurant that has the same owners as Partake and Urban Diner (two amazing Edmonton restaurants you should also support!), Wholly Mac is a macaroni and cheese ONLY restaurant. Available through SkipTheDishes only, this restaurant definitely offers a unique experience that everyone needs to try once.

7.  Padmanadi

If you know, you know. This family-owned vegetarian & vegan restaurant offers the some of the best meat-free Thai, Chinese and Indian dishes in Edmonton. Even if you’re a meat lover, we promise you will still love the soy-based dishes they offer—like the King Pao Chicken. This is a popular spot for Elisse and her family with ginger beef and curry chicken always on their go to list.

8. Cosmic Pizza

Still craving that pizza? We don’t blame you. Located right off 104 Street, Cosmic Pizza offers some of the most flavourful and filling pizza in Edmonton, as well as other favourites like donairs, poutines, and chicken. You’ll never go back to the big-box pizza places after trying Cosmic—especially after trying their garlic cheesy bread!

And there you have it! We hope that we’ve inspired you to order from a local Edmonton restaurant the next time you’re looking to order take-out. And remember: picking up your order is always the best option, as third-party delivery services take a large cut from the restaurant. Supporting local has never tasted so good!

Featured Guest Blogger:

Alli Harrison is an Edmonton-based marketing & communications professional with extensive experience working with small businesses. Learn all about her by visiting her Instagram, Twitter & LinkedIn.

Step 1:

Know Where Your Money Is Going

Step 2:

Figure Out Where You Can Cut Back On Your Expenses

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5: