Vancouver
There's a great collection of tempting vintage offerings available here, everything from Bakelite clocks to 1970s cocktail shakers. The retro-loving store…
Must-see shopping in British Columbia
Victoria
A pilgrimage spot for fans of regular and exotic teas, where you can pick up all manner of leafy paraphernalia. Alternatively, sidle up to the tasting bar…
Vancouver
One the city's largest farmers markets lures locals from East Vancouver and beyond with dozens of stalls hawking everything from fresh, local-grown…
Vancouver Island
A multi-room town-center bookstore piled high with used books, all guarded by a house cat that may or may not let you stroke her (probably not). Look out…
Sechelt Farmers & Artisans Market
British Columbia
Combining fresh local produce (look out for seasonal BC peaches and cherries) with cool arts and crafts, this market is Sechelt's liveliest community hub …
Victoria
Victoria's favorite farmers market is bustling with more than 100 stalls piled high with regional produce (look out for BC peaches) as well as arts and…
British Columbia
This is a good place to orient yourself for a tour of the islands' 20-plus art galleries. The bonus is that there's a small bookshop here as well, selling…
Victoria
At this indoor market lined with artisan food businesses, tempting deli counters and food-court dining, you'll find everything from chocolate to cheese to…
Victoria
This summer-long arts and crafts market is worth a sunny browse, accompanied by the sound of a zither-playing busker. You might even find a souvenir more…
Victoria
An idyllic grassy spot to spend an hour wandering the stalls of local produce, regional arts and crafts, and naughty bakery treats. Look out for live…
Victoria
This popular Victoria fixture sells must-have furnishings, accessories and bath products – plus locally made artisan jewelry. It's located in a vintage…
Northern BC
Stocks books and info on the area's thriving folk-music scene; the tiny cafe serves veggie soup and lunches, while the community noticeboard takes pride…
Gastown & Chinatown
A pilgrimage site for visiting tea fans, this is an authentic spot to roll in, sip some leafy concoctions and discover some delightful new flavors to take…
Victoria
A labyrinthine Chinatown store hawking everything from paper lanterns to fake bonsai trees. It's hard not to find something to buy here.
British Columbia
Housed in the grand old 1909 former courthouse, this gallery has some of the best items produced by local artisans.
Prince Rupert
See the bounty of Rupert's vibrant creative community at this artist-run cooperative gallery.
Gastown & Chinatown
An unusual juice bar–and–artisan boutique combo, this quirky Chinatown spot serves smoothies, coffees and treats at the back counter while also offering a…
Vancouver
Two things about this store are pleasingly old-fashioned: staff greet you and ask how they can help, and the items they're selling harken to a bygone age…
Vancouver
There's a highly tempting array of must-haves at this whimsical, wood-floored homewares boutique, from natural-fibre throws and sumptuous bath products to…
Vancouver
Despite the twee name, this is a five-room cooperative representing local craft vendors and artisan businesses under one roof. From sock puppets to rustic…
Fairview & South Granville
The culinary equivalent of a sex shop for food fans, this swanky deli and grocery emporium's narrow aisles are lined with international condiments, luxury…
Gastown & Chinatown
When you're desperate for a retro band T-shirt to increase your street cred, check out the huge array of vintage examples here, ranging from Nirvana to…
Vancouver
Expect to be greeted as soon as you step inside this white-walled little chocolate-shop-and-cafe combo, specializing in raw chocolate with sophisticated,…
Gastown & Chinatown
With an irresistible array of chichi trinkets presented in a gallery-like space, it's hard to browse without falling for something here. From tempting…
Gastown & Chinatown
When the Army & Navy department store’s annual 12-day shoe sale kicks off, there’s always a long, excited queue of hundreds of locals ready to get in…
Vancouver
This historic West Coast chocolate-making company is based in Victoria, but this is its flagship Vancouver store. Try not to lick the dark-wood shelves as…
Vancouver
A Vancouver institution since 1879 – hence the landmark freestanding clock outside – Birks crafts exquisite heirloom jewelry and its signature line of…
Fairview & South Granville
One of the oldest established of Vancouver's private galleries, Bau-Xi – pronounced 'bo-she' – showcases the best in local artists and generally has…
Vancouver
Stockists of the legendary Canada-made Tilley Endurables travel hat range, this family owned store has added other labels to its lineup of hard-wearing…
Vancouver
Flagship downtown store of the Vancouver-based chain that made ass-hugging yoga wear a mainstream fashion, this is the shop for that archetypal West Coast…
Gastown & Chinatown
Colonizing this Gastown strip long before it was fashionable, this browse-worthy men's and women's boutique still offers plenty of reasons for a visit…
Vancouver
If rain curtails your shopping activities, duck inside downtown Vancouver's main mall. You'll find all the usual chain and department store suspects, plus…
Vancouver
Stocking guidebooks and travel literature as well as bags and backpacks, this is one of Vancouver's oldest travel-themed stores. There are also several…
Gastown & Chinatown
This large Chinese tea-and-herb shop is a great place to buy supplies of good green, red, white and black teas. The friendly staff – women in cool pink…
Gastown & Chinatown
A campaigner for legalization for many years, this near-iconic storefront was once the center of the city's 'Vansterdam' strip. With books, hemp clothing…
Gastown & Chinatown
Tucked among the basement stores in Gastown's heritage Le Magasin building, this sneaker, streetwear and collectibles shop is loved by in-the-know…
Vancouver
True to Commercial Dr's Italian heritage, family-run Kalena's imports handsome top-quality leather shoes and boots from the old country. Well-crafted men…
Vancouver
A jam-packed browser's paradise of mostly women's retro clothes and accessories, this is the perfect store to reinvent your look. Thinking of combining a…
Vancouver
Stocking a kaleidoscopic and wildly eclectic array of original retro clothing from 1970s concert T-shirts to 1990s grunge-wear, there's also a particular…
