In honour of Small Business Week 2026 in Edmonton (Oct. 19-23), the Edmonton Downtown Business Association (EDBA) wanted to highlight a few long-standing member businesses that started as small entrepreneurs right here in downtown Edmonton. These seven featured businesses made their mark and have positively impacted the core of our city with their presence, products and ingenuity.
Audreys Books (10702 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB T5J 2A7)
Since 1975, more than five decades ago, Audreys Books has filled two floors of a heritage building in downtown Edmonton with a wide range of new books to choose from, with a strong selection of Alberta authors. Each year, Audreys (not spelled with a possessive apostrophe, but plural for the two Audreys it was named after) hosts about 70 book-related events in its lower level or outside.
Henry Singer (#150, 10220 103 Avenue NW, AB T5J 0K4)
In 1938, a fashion leader named Henry Singer opened his first shop—a made-to-measure hat and suiting shop—in downtown Edmonton. By the late 1960s, the fourth Henry Singer store opened at 103 St. and Jasper Ave., only a few years before all four were consolidated into one at the old Birk’s store on the corner of 104 St. and Jasper Ave. Consistently growing and leading men’s fashion in Edmonton and around the world, a new flagship location was opened in Stantec Tower in the ICE District to become “Edmonton’s Lifestyle Destination.”
Bistro Praha (10117 101 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 0T4)
For over 40 years, this Czech café has been a fixture in downtown Edmonton serving authentic goulash, cabbage soup, wiener schnitzel, fried cheese and other European dishes. It has also been frequented by many celebrities who were visiting Edmonton, including Joni Mitchell.
Blu’s (National Bank Centre [formerly Manulife Place], #250, 10180 101 St NW 2nd Floor, Edmonton, AB T5J 3S4)
BLU’S started out in the late 1970s with two racks of women’s clothing in the back corner of downtown Edmonton’s men’s clothing store, Henry Singer. As popularity grew, BLU’S opened its own small shop downtown on 104 St. in 1981. This longstanding downtown Edmonton retail store has been styling women all across Western Canada for more than 40 years.
The Artworks (10150 100 Street, Suite 100, Edmonton, AB T5J 0P6)
For over 40 years (since 1982), The Artworks has existed in downtown Edmonton moving locations a few times—the historic Weinlos Building, Rialto Theatre on 101 St., corner of Edmonton City Centre to Rice Howard Way—as it grew. It started as a humble poster shop before adding unique gift items and fresh-cut flowers and jewelry.
Tony the Tailor (10172 104 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 1A7)
Established in 1982, Tony the Tailor has served downtown Edmonton and beyond, for more than 35 years. The company’s quality customer service and tailoring, eco-friendly dry cleaning and laundering keep customers going back. The tailor also helps preserve and repair challenging materials like leather, fur, bridal gowns and vintage items to keep downtown looking well-dressed in clothes that fit.
Commodore Restaurant (10712 Jasper Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 2A7)
The Gee family opened this café-style restaurant on Jasper Avenue in 1942 and continues to attract regulars and new customers with its nostalgic pricing and atmosphere. In 1969, an electrical fire caused enough damage for the building to be torn down and rebuilt as a one-story in 1971. The Commodore reopened but moved down one storefront east in the building. Even though the Gee’s are Chinese, the Commodore intentionally served non-Chinese food until its re-opening in 1971, when Chinese food was added to the menu for the first time. Yet current owners, David Gee and wife Wilma, continue expanding the non-Chinese menu items to include such things as a “loaded” omelette and breakfast burrito.