Must-see shopping in Canada

  • Rannva Design

    Iqaluit

    In an unmarked studio, Faroese designer Rannva Erlingsdóttir Simonsen sews together the ancient and the chic, generating beautiful fur and sealskin…

  • Boutique Métiers d'Art du Québec

    Québec City

    Run by the organization that oversees all sorts of arts and crafts disciplines in Québec, this very stylish boutique in the Place Royale sells the very…

  • Beacon Books

    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…

  • Priape

    Montréal

    Montréal’s biggest gay sex store is well plugged into mainstream erotic wares (DVDs, mags and books), and also has high-quality clothing with a…

  • Bijou Boutique

    Yellowknife

    This place draws you in by stocking all manner of cool things you didn't know you wanted: bamboo shirts and underwear, Kikkerland multitools and first aid…

  • Arctic Trading Company

    Churchill

    Stocks antler carvings, some Inuit stone sculpture, psychedelic paintings by local Cree artist Allan Chapman, bone jewelry, caribou hair-tufting art,…

  • Antiquités Bolduc

    Québec City

    Among the largest and friendliest stores on 'Antiques Row' in the Old Lower Town. Bolduc sells furniture, household objects, old paintings and curios from…

  • 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 …

  • Bungalow

    Kensington Market & Chinatown

    A vintage store selling well-curated home goods, furniture and clothing. Items change regularly, but expect mid-Century Modern tableware, teak bowls and…

  • Artisan Market

    Newfoundland & Labrador

    This gift and art store stocks original work by local artists, a good collection of of vegetarian products including locally made jams, and lots of…

  • BMV

    Toronto

    Though it's sandwiched between a tanning salon and a construction site, this fluorescent-lit shop is one of the most popular secondhand bookstores in…

  • New Tribe

    Kensington Market & Chinatown

    Body art is almost mainstream in Toronto – you'd run out of body parts before you ran through all the city's tattoo and piercing shops. This one, in the…

  • Moss St Market

    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…

  • Merrymeeting Arts and Crafts

    Newfoundland & Labrador

    This little shop offers hand-knitted wool blankets, prints, original local art, and other cute crafts. It's a good spot to stop and chat to find out what…

  • La Petite Cabane à Sucre du Québec

    Québec City

    Maple syrup is a massive industry in Québec, and the 'Little Québec Sugar Shack' sells it in every guise: candies, delicacies, ice cream, snacks, cotton…

  • Corktown Designs

    Old Town, Corktown & Distillery District

    Jewelry is the focus at this Distillery District shop, with case upon glass case of it. Find unique work by locally based artisans and some international…

  • Librairie Planète BD

    Montréal

    If you have a thing for comics and graphic novels – particularly French-language ones – this is a must-stop store. The owners have a passion for their…

  • Brindy Linens

    Newfoundland & Labrador

    Come here for unique hand-printed textile art, all made from hemp and organic cotton, plus a few other crafts made by locals. Hours vary, but the shop…

  • Holt Renfrew Ogilvy

    Montréal

    Founded in 1866 as Canada’s first department store, Ogilvy has transformed itself into a collection of high-profile boutiques. The store’s front window…

  • Freshly Baked Tees

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    DIY souvenir T-shirt: bring your own text and graphics or have the cool cats behind the desk do it. Ready in five minutes (really!). High-quality cotton T…

  • Ben McNally

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    An independent bookshop owned and run by friendly bookworms, Ben McNally has a wide, interesting selection of titles often not found elsewhere. Book talks…

  • Talisman Books & Gallery

    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 Public Market

    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…

  • Page & Panel: The TCAF Shop

    Toronto

    What started as a pop-up for the Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) has become a permanent comics hub. It's a well-curated store, with excellent picks of…

  • Pink Tartan

    Toronto

    Chic Pink Tartan boutique sells designer clothing and accessories with a preppy bent. It's housed in a gorgeous historic building, built for Yorkville's…

  • Victoria's Arctic Fashion

    Iqaluit

    High-end, custom-made Inuit parkas with a contemporary twist by local designer Victoria Kakuktinniq. (Bear in mind that sealskin cannot be imported into…

  • Flight of Fancy

    Annapolis Valley

    This exquisitely curated craft store and gallery has work by close to 200 artists and craftspeople. If you want to buy just one unique treasure to take…

  • Blackfoot Cultural Centre

    Southern Alberta

    A gift shop, bookstore and information desk for the Blackfeet Nation, this center is run by the nonprofit Waterton Natural History Association. You'll…

  • Bastion Sq Public Market

    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…

  • Te Koop

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    This backpack and luggage store champions Canadian brands such as Herschel, as well as boutique international labels. The bags aren't cheap, but they're…

  • Outer Layer

    Entertainment & Financial Districts

    A little gift shop selling whimsical and laugh-out-loud knickknacks, accessories and greeting cards, many with a Torontonian or Canadian spin. It's…

  • James Bay Market

    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…

  • Tatchun Centre General Store

    Yukon Territory

    This is the biggest store between Whitehorse and Dawson City, and offers the opportunity to purchase grocery and food items, drinks, gifts and souvenirs…

  • Cheap Thrills

    Montréal

    It's easy to lose track of time as you browse through this big selection of used books and music (CDs and some vinyl), both with a mainstream and offbeat…

  • Librairie Michel Fortin

    Montréal

    A mecca for every foreign-language student and linguist freak in town. You can find children's books, CDs and DVDs, dual-language readers and novels,…

  • Craft Shop

    Northwest Territories

    Attached to the Snowshoe Inn Restaurant, this craft shop features porcupine-quill art, moose-hair tufting, handmade moccasins and more.

  • Galerie Michel Guimont

    Québec City

    Arguably the finest gallery for contemporary art in the city, Galerie Michel Guimont exhibits paintings, drawings and prints from both emerging and…

  • Harbourfront Centre Shop

    Toronto

    Specializing in Canadian-made jewelry, ceramics and high-design items. Works created by artists-in-residence, both current and former, are also sold. It's…

  • Fan Tan Home & Style

    Victoria

    This popular Victoria fixture sells must-have furnishings, accessories and bath products – plus locally made artisan jewelry. It's located in a vintage…

  • Wanuskewin Gift Store

    Saskatoon

    Lovely store on Broadway selling authentic, handmade items made by local First Nation artisans. Pieces are unique and beautifully handcrafted using…

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