Vancouver Shopping

  1. A&B Sound

    With several other outlets around the Lower Mainland, purple-painted A&B sells all types of music, DVDs and electronic equipment. Taken over by a new owner in recent years, its selection can be a bit patchy but its prices - especially on new release CDs - are generally still the best in town. Check the local press for regular sale days.

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  2. Art Of Loving

    Forget all those grubby sex shops lining the Granville St entertainment strip - this tasteful sex shop is for the nondirty Mac brigade. Among its popular products are the love swing (ask for a demo) and glow-in-the-dark condoms (don't ask for a demo). The store also hosts some entertaining and informative seminars, with titles such as the 'Joy of Flirting' and 'Kissing Class for Couples.'

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  3. Atomic Model

    If having the kind of fashion-forward jeans and tops that are currently being paraded along the catwalks and high-end streets of New York or Tokyo appeals, then it's hard to beat this popular designer haunt where the beautiful young people of Yaletown come to spend their allowances. Watch out for the yappy lap dogs of fellow shoppers.

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  4. Barbara-Jo's Books To Cooks

    Epicureans salivate over more than 2500 food and wine books here, including out-of-print and specialty titles. The best part is the demonstration kitchen, where you can learn from new and notable chefs how to whip up the recipes they've written about. The shop also hosts a full menu of short cooking classes .

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  5. Bau-Xi Gallery

    One of the long-established galleries responsible for the city's artistic renaissance in recent years, Bau-xi - pronounced 'bo-she' - showcases the best in local artists and generally has prices to match its exalted position. The main gallery selection changes monthly and the focus is usually on original paintings, although prints, drawings and sculpture are also added to the mix on occasion.

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  7. Bionic Footwear

    This little shoe emporium combines form and function with an enticing array of fab footwear for men, women and children who like looks as well as quality. You can slip into pumps, skater shoes or boots from the likes of Camper, Lacoste and Miss Sixty, or check out the small but growing selection of cool bags.

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  8. Biz Books

    This is the city's best source for books on film, theater and the TV industry - collectively known as 'the biz.' Actors, writers and directors studying the craft will find plays, directories, monologue books, scene books, accent tapes and screenwriting software.

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  9. Book Warehouse

    Vancouver's favorite independent bookseller (with several branches around the city), this warm and welcoming outlet has a good regional and international travel section and also offers large and small discounts on its big stock of new releases, contemporary faves and popular classics. Look out for regular sale days and pre-announced shipments of 'hurt books' - new tomes with minor dings and major discounts.

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  10. Burcu's Angels

    This outrageous place has been known to rent out its vintage stock to visiting film crews. It's best known for its collection of men's and women's '70s clothing, but there's also a fascinating selection from the turn of the century to the 1950s. Consider donating to the '24-hour free box,' where donated clothes are left outside for anyone who needs them.

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  11. Canadian Maple Delights

    It might seem like a chore but if you have to pick up souvenirs for all those greedy friends back home, this is an ideal one-stop-shop. Specializing in all manner of maple syrup-flavored goodies - think maple sugar, maple tea, maple leaf-shaped candy, maple tree-growing kits etc - it also has vacuum-packed salmon for those who don't have a sweet tooth.

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  13. Chinatown Night Market

    Smaller but less frenetic than its Richmond brother, this colorful downtown bazaar lures with its sensory combination of cheap trinkets, knock-off designer goods and aromatic hawker food - it's like a walk-through buffet of noodles, fish balls and bubble tea.

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  14. Circle Craft

    This 30-plus-year-old cooperative hawks 100% BC arts and crafts, including sculptures from found objects, ceramics and sleek jewelry, with hand-sewn puppets and dolls thrown in (not literally) for good measure. Prices vary considerably but there's usually something here to suit most budgets.

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  15. Coast Mountain Sports

    This popular, mainstream outdoor superstore - the kind where SUV drivers shop - occupies the pricey, fashion end of hiking and biking gear and is the kind of place you'll be tempted to add a matching top or shorts to your trail boot purchase. End-of-season sales can be good here, if you don't mind wearing sandals for that snowshoe trek you've arranged for later in the day.

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  16. Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery

    This sumptuous Yaletown store houses a fine selection of Northwest Coast and Inuit aboriginal jewelry, carvings and prints. Focusing on the arts-end of native crafts, you'll find some exquisite items that will likely have your credit card sweating within minutes.

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  17. Crafthouse

    At this non-profit gallery run by the Crafts Association of British Columbia (CABC), shelves hold everything from glass goblets and wooden boxes to silver bracelets and decorative paper - all produced by regional artisans, of course. The gallery also keeps schedules of provincial craft shows.

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  19. Deluxe Junk

    From Victorian-style lace-up boots to a jaunty beret to that rhinestone stick pin you've been coveting - it's all on the racks at this consignment clothing store, as are contemporary skirts, blouses and jeans. Prices slip the longer the items remain on the shelves. A browser's paradise.

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  20. Dream

    Dream is one of a cluster of small shops in the area near Cambie St spotlighting emerging young local fashionistas. Hip Japanese girls sift through the hats, T-shirts, thongs, purses, jewelry and other urban funk items for that must-have piece. Surprisingly, prices are not sky high.

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  21. Dream Designs

    Visiting greenies will enjoy dipping into this small organic store that sells everything from yoga knick knacks to linen pajamas and hemp bed sheets. Check out the local pottery selection and enjoy a calming chat with the staff about your favorite natural spa treatments.

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  22. Dutch Girl Chocolates

    No one would begrudge you a little chocolate-flavored R&R after you've been trawling the sights of the city all day. Nip into this oasis of chocolatey calm and you'll be treated to melt-in-your-mouth handmade Belgian confections and more than 70 different types of imported licorice. Only the brave should mix them.

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  23. Duthie Books

    Once a citywide chain, this independent homegrown bookseller retreated to this single outlet a few years back, but has retained a loyal following among Kits readers. A nice place to browse for an hour or so, there's a good selection of Canadiana and the staff know a thing or two about what to recommend - unlike some ubiquitous chains we could mention.

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  25. Equinox Gallery

    Another veteran of the South Granville scene, the Equinox generally focuses on quality contemporary works from established Canadian and international artists. Some of the leading lights the gallery continues to represent are Jack Shadbolt, Fred Herzog and Liz Magor, and, along with the canvasses, there's a commitment to sculpture and provocative installations.

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  26. Eugene Choo

    Behind the double-fronted, blue-painted exterior of this Main St favorite beats the heart of a store that reflects the emergence of this area as Vancouver's hip clothing capital. Once a grungy vintage clothing shop, it's now a hotbed of local designer duds for the city's pale and interesting slim-fit set.

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  27. Europe Bound Outfitters

    Among the plethora of outdoor stores clustering for economic warmth around the nearby MEC campfire, Europe Bound offers a more branded approach to its selection, including reliable labels such as Columbia, North Face and Canada Goose. Whether you're looking for winter jackets, hydration daypacks, cycling accessories, maps or travel guidebooks, you'll find most of it here.

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  28. Gallery Of BC Ceramics

    The public face of the Potters Guild of BC runs exhibitions for member artists and sells striking ceramic works, from functional bowls and cups to figurative sculpture, intricate jewelry and ritual objects of art. Artists range from Emily Carr grad newbies to potters with international reputations.

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  29. Gay-Mart

    The West End gayborhood's favorite shopping bazaar, Gay-Mart hawks all manner of pride-themed merchandise, including wallets, robes, socks and baseball caps emblazoned with rainbow flags. Jewelry and CDs add to the mix and it does a brisk business in adult movies and 'accessories.'

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