Our Story

We started this project to support our local businesses during a time when community is more important than ever.

The first iteration of this project ran from April - June 2020, and featured businesses along Bloor St West. Since then, we have offered the bags during various holidays in 2020-2022. A few highlights include:

  • Partnering with over 120 local Toronto businesses
  • $215k spent at local businesses
  • Donating $15k in profits to local charities in each neighbourhood

    Bag of Toronto is generously supported by many Business Improvement Areas, including the Bloordale Village BIA, Bloorcourt BIA, Ossington BIA, College Promenade BIA, Queen St. West BIA, Riverside BIA, Midtown Yonge BIA and the Oakwood Village BIA.

    Meet the Team

    • Nick Milum

      After moving to Toronto in Fall 2019, Nick was excited to explore his new neighbourhood and sample all the amazing food it has to offer. Unfortunately, that became slightly more difficult during COVID-19.

      As the proud son of two small business owners, he saw the effects of this crisis up close. The Bag of Toronto project is meant to support the businesses that make our neighbourhoods special and ensure that they can still support us for many more nights out in the years to come.

      To learn more about Nick, view his portfolio here.

    • Derek Liu

      Born and raised in Toronto, Derek’s fondest memories are great meals and experiences with friends and families at local businesses. He works as a nurse at SickKids and has seen the heartwarming support for frontline workers from local businesses.

      However, the stories he’s heard from these businesses due to the impact of COVID-19 have been incredibly stressful. It only makes sense to give back somehow to the places he loves the most and hopes we can get people to do the same.

      To learn more about Derek, view his portfolio here.

    • Kristina Adel

      Kristina moved to Toronto in 2019 and has worked with small businesses as an e-commerce specialist during COVID-19 as part of a government-sponsored ShopHERE program. Having worked closely with small business owners, she became very interested in supporting small businesses and building communities of support.

      Living on Queen West has allowed her to explore the vibrant neighbourhoods that she now calls home. Bag of Toronto allows to give back to amazing communities that deserve to be celebrated.

    • Jula Muchaeva

      Jula has moved to the city in 2017 and since then called Toronto her forever home.
      Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, she started to appreciate her local West End neighbourhood even more thanks to daily lockdown walks. Now you can always find her walking and shopping around the area/

      She started off in PR working on both local and national brands in Canada. Throughout her career, she got to work on a few big projects that support local businesses like One of A Kind show, TD Thanks You and more. She now works at a Toronto-founded beauty startup, where she leads influencer marketing initiatives.