There is nothing quite like the feeling of knowing that you are part of something. For us, it's those small, everyday interactions that build this sense of belonging — the morning chit-chat with our favourite barista, who magically pours a bunny on your cappuccino, or the spark in the local baker's eyes when she excitedly introduces her latest creation, a scrumptious Crème Brûlée Danish. These seemingly trivial moments are the threads that weave the wonderful realization of being part of a community.

But this is not easy — or at least, it hasn’t been made easy yet. As we navigated through our own experiences, we found that while these moments are cherished, they were not always easy to come by. It was daunting to dive into the vibrant life of our neighbourhoods without a starting point, and even when we had some insight, the challenge of navigating through a tangle of information just to find a single store’s updates felt overwhelming. We thought to ourselves that it shouldn’t be this difficult.

Recognising this gap, we were inspired to create a platform that not only makes these interactions more accessible but also encourages deeper, more personal engagement between independent local businesses and the people who love them. We envisioned a platform that wasn’t just about locations, but about the stories, the people, and the soul behind each indie business. A platform where the local artisan could casually showcase their latest masterpiece, where the neighbourhood florist could invite people for an impromptu floral art session, where every user could discover these experiences right at their fingertips.

Thus, Locarie was born out of a desire to celebrate independence and locality. We wish for it to be more than an app; it is a way for each of us to feel truly part of the ever-changing energies that form our communities. We are more than grateful for those who have joined us on this journey. Whether you are a business owner looking to share your passion or a user eager to discover the hidden gems in your neighbourhood, we are excited to grow and nurture this community together.

With Locarie, we aim to turn discoveries into connections, and connections into communities. We hope you love it.

Love,

Locarie’s co-founders, Krystal Lin and Tommy Yen.