The results are in for the highly anticipated 2025/26 Calgary Readers' Choice Awards, shining a spotlight on the city's favourite shopping destinations. Announced on November 13, 2025, these awards represent the collective voice of thousands of Calgarians who voted for their top picks across a wide range of retail categories.
Celebrating Calgary's Retail Excellence
From art supplies to grocery stores, the awards cover the full spectrum of the local shopping experience. Kensington Art Supply claimed the gold for Favourite Art Supply Store, while Regal Auctions led the pack for Favourite Auction House. In the competitive Favourite Barber category, Tommy Gun's Original Barbershop earned the top honour, with Marda Loop Barbershop and Great Clips taking silver and bronze respectively.
Book lovers showed their support for local independents, awarding Fair's Fair Books the gold for Favourite Bookstore. The food scene was also strongly represented, with Lina's Italian Market winning gold for both Favourite Butcher Shop/Deli and a silver tie in the Favourite Cheese Shop category, which was won by Springbank Cheese Company.
Diverse Categories Showcase Local Favourites
The awards highlighted both niche specialists and everyday essentials. For Favourite Bike Shop, Bow Cycle & Sports pedaled to first place. In the world of collectibles, Phoenix Comics won gold for Favourite Comic Book Store/Collectibles Shop. When it comes to home and garden, Calgarians favoured La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings and Decor for furniture and Golden Acre Home & Garden for garden centres.
The grocery category saw a tight race, with Real Canadian Superstore taking gold and a silver tie between Calgary Co-op and Safeway. For those looking to refresh their wardrobe sustainably, Vespucci and Plato's Closet tied for gold in the Favourite Consignment Store category.
A Community-Driven Celebration
These awards, presented by the Calgary Herald and Calgary Sun, offer a genuine snapshot of consumer preferences and community support for local businesses. The winners represent establishments that have not only provided quality products and services but have also earned the loyalty and appreciation of their customers through consistent excellence.
The complete list of winners serves as an essential guide for both residents and visitors looking to experience the best retail offerings that Calgary has to offer, directly endorsed by those who know them best - the people of Calgary.
