Other shopping in Vancouver
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Summer Night Market
Much bigger than Vancouver’s Chinatown version, Richmond’s Summer Night Market has around 300 vendors and offers a multisensory glimpse of what Hong Kong–style bazaars are all about. Don’t eat anything before arriving and you can taste-trip among the 60 or so steamy food stalls. The highlight of an evening out here, they offer savory treats such as fish balls, shrimp dumplings, duck wraps, twirled potatoes, vegetarian gyoza (fried Japanese dumplings) and grilled squid. Most dishes cost from $3 to $6. Highlight vendors are the comparatively gourmet Roaming Dragon (go for its Korean short-rib tacos) and Sumo Bites (the sukiyaki beef rice burgers are recommended).
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Portobello West
This monthly indoor market enables more than 100 local artists and designers to display and sell their work. Prices are reasonable and you’ll find an amazing selection that can include hand-painted boots, striking original paintings, unique ceramics and just about everything in between. There’s usually a party atmosphere, as DJs spin their stuff and food vendors give you something to munch on while you peruse the goods. To get here from the Main St-Science World SkyTrain station, walk east along Terminal Ave to Cottrell St. Turn right and the station building is just ahead of you. Admission is free in some summer months when the weather is good enough to hold the event ou…
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Metropolis at Metrotown
The ever-expanding 470-store homage to materialism, the ginormous Metropolis at Metrotown is the only shopping center you’ll need to visit on this trip. Savvy shoppers arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds then rest their weary feet at the sprawling food court – Indian, Japanese and Chinese cuisines are recommended here. All the regular chain-store suspects are on site, as well as bookshops, cinemas, department stores and a large number of intriguing Chinese businesses clustered around the excellent Asian T&T supermarket. The mall is a 20-minute SkyTrain ride from downtown Vancouver – it’s big enough to warrant its own station.
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Railspur Alley
Seemingly far from the madding crowds of the public market – at least on summer days when every tourist in town seems to be there – this somewhat hidden back-alley strip is a relaxing alternative. You’ll find a string of unique artisan stores, including a painter, fiber artist and silk seller. Even better is the Artisan Sake Maker ([tel] 604-685-7253; www.artisansakemaker.com; 1339 Railspur Alley; [hrs] 11:30am-6pm), who produces small batches of junmai sake right here (tastings are $2 each or $5 for three). You can sober up with a strong coffee at the Agro Café, also a great spot for lunch.
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Kids Market
A nightmare if you happen to stroll in by mistake, this two-story mini shopping mall for under-10s is bristling with kid-friendly stores, mostly of the toy variety. If your child’s interests extend beyond Lego and Barbie, there are also retailers specializing in clothing, candy, magic tricks and arts and crafts. If it all gets a bit too much, you might try enticing your sprogs away from the shops to the huge Granville Island Water Park (admission free; [hrs] 10am-6pm mid-May–early Sep) just behind the market (or perhaps sneaking yourself to the nearby Granville Island Brewing for a swift libation).
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Punjabi Market
You won't find cows wandering the streets, or bicycle rickshaws weaving between the traffic, but some of the sounds, smells and colors of the subcontinent are condensed into this short Main St strip. This enclave of sari stores, Bangra music shops, jewelry emporiums and some of the region's best-value curry restaurants has seen better days - as in Chinatown, the younger people have dispersed around the region because they don't feel compelled to live in a neighborhood together - but it's still a good spot for a spicy all-you-can-eat lunch followed by a restorative walkabout.
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Army & Navy
When the Army & Navy department store’s annual 12-day shoe sale kicks-off, there’s always a long, excited queue of hundreds of local ladies ready to get in. Those who’ve waited in line for hours have the chance to hit – usually at maximum velocity – the shiny pyramids of deeply discounted designer footwear from the likes of Guess, Christian Dior and Jimmy Choo. As screams of delight emanate from those staggering around with armfuls of must-have shoes, a handful of sheepish husbands and boyfriends hang around in corners wondering how they can escape.
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Richmond Night Market
Much bigger than Vancouver’s Chinatown version, the summertime Richmond Night Market has 350 vendors, who together offer a glimpse of what clamorous Hong Kong–style bazaars are all about. Don’t eat anything before arriving and you can taste trip among the 65 food stalls, which offer steaming savory treats such as fish balls, shrimp dumplings, vegetarian gyoza (fried Japanese dumplings) and grilled squid. Most dishes cost from $2.50 to $4.
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Neptoon Records
Dedicated to new and used vinyl (and CDs), the city’s oldest independent record store has still got it, which explains why bands frequently play freebie gigs here. Step through the teal green storefront and you’ll find endless racks of browsable, well-priced treats, along with an ever-friendly owner who’s happy to chat. There’s also a fantastic selection of vintage band posters.
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Signature BC Liquor Store
The ‘Signature’ in the name means this well-located shop – just off Robson St at Bute – is one of the larger-format British Columbia government liquor stores. You’ll find a big selection of pretty much anything you might want to imbibe, including a back wall of regional and international beers and a large array of wines from around the world.
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Marquis Wine Cellars
Small and friendly, this boutique wine shop has a real snob-free approach to its products, which makes it a great place to hit if you can’t tell the difference between a pinot noir and a pinot grigio. Expert staff and regular tastings are part of the mix – also check its website for wine education events.
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Firefly Fine Wines & Ales
While there’s a great choice of interesting beers here, this popular spot is a magnet for wine buffs. They come for the sterling selection of international treats, superb service from highly knowledgeable staff and, of course, the regular tastings.
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Brewery Creek
This Main St favorite is especially revered for its excellent array of bottled beer, covering choice tipples from British Columbia and beyond. You’ll find plenty of intriguing brews, from Flying Dog Pale Ale to Saskatoon’s Black Cat Lager.
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Vancouver Store
Visit the waterfront Vancouver store of BC Ferries for information, packages and tickets. In 2010, the company also began introducing free wi-fi on some of its vessels.
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No Frills
The city’s thriftiest food store is the West End’s No Frills, piled high with no-name brands and cut-price fruit and veg.
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Urban Fare
Near the foot of the giant Shangri-La tower, Urban Fare is a yuppie supermarket that has a large takeout-food component.
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