Shopping in Vancouver
-
A
Eugene Choo
Behind the double-fronted, blue-painted exterior of this local favorite beats the heart of a store that pioneered the emergence of Main St 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 slim-fit set. Handmade shoes and tailored suits are recommended here, and this is one of the only stores in town that has stocked Freitag messenger bags.
reviewed
-
B
Wanted – Lost Found Canadian
Nestled in a returning heritage area that was a no-go skid row until recent years, this pioneering shop is like a general store of clever recycling. Old blankets, beach glass and driftwood are among the raw materials that have been cleaned and repurposed into new patchwork bags, fluffy cushions and cuddly toys, while newspapers found under the floorboards have been transformed into greetings cards. Highly recommended.
reviewed
-
C
Mintage
Kitsilano's most popular vintage store has a great selection covering all the bases, including a good array of shoes, tops, jeans and that oh-so-perfect old-school summer dress. Prices can be a bit on the steep side for some items – worn T-shirts shouldn't be over $30, no matter which cool band they're proclaiming – but there are still some finds to be had and a couple of sale racks that are always worth perusing.
reviewed
-
D
Lush
You’ll likely smell this body, bath and beauty store where packaging is generally frowned upon from several meters away. You can stock up here on all its special products – including ‘sex bomb’ bath ballistics or ‘black magic’ massage bars – or just peruse the teetering stacks of soap piled up like blocks of cheese. It might look tasty, but try not to eat anything.
reviewed
-
E
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 where 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.
reviewed
-
F
Wood Co-Op
The silky, highly strokable wood tables and chairs on display here may not be ideal for packing home, but it’s hard not to appreciate the artisanship that’s gone into their manufacture. Regional woods are often used and there’s a striking modern feel to many of the pieces. It’s branched out in recent years and now also offers wooden toys and kitchenware – much easier to pack.
reviewed
-
G
Michael Dean Jewellery
Pearls and Canadian diamonds feature prominently in the rings created by local artisan Michael Dean, who works on his shiny trinkets at this cozy little island studio. Partners in business and life, his wife Carole also creates her own jewelry and has a sparkling range of abstract designs on silver necklaces. If you're looking for an extra special pressie for someone back home, this is a good place to start.
reviewed
-
H
Peking Lounge
If you're a visiting antiques fan with an interest in old-school Chinese pieces, this is the place for you. Presented like artworks in a lounge-cool contemporary boutique setting, you'll enjoy perusing the price tags on intricately-carved dark wood chairs and armoires. Check out the lovely silk and linen cushions (new, rather than antique) and consider buying an extra suitcase so you can take some home.
reviewed
-
I
Restoration Hardware
Filled with furnishings and interior flourishes that you wish you had in your house, this yuppie favorite also carries some kitsch-tastic reproduction toys and old-school gadgets, especially at Christmastime. Nothing is cheap here, except the bargain pile of dinged goods shamefully hidden near the washrooms at the back – check out the snobs looking down their noses at you as you dive in here head first.
reviewed
-
J
Travel Bug
Lined with maps, guidebooks and travel literature (plus handy on-the-road accessories), this is the smaller of two excellent travel-related Kits bookstores. It's a browsable treat for those planning a trip or those who just like to imagine afar from a comfy armchair. Check the website for readings from sinewy travel writers just back from navigating the Amazon armed only with shoelaces and a toothpick.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Golden Age Collectables
If you're missing your regular dose of Emily the Strange or you just want to blow your vacation budget on a highly detailed life-size model of Ultra Man, head straight to this Aladdin's cave of the comic-book world. While the clientele is unsurprisingly dominated by males of a certain age, the staff are friendly and welcoming – especially to wide-eyed kids buying their first Archie.
reviewed
-
L
Sikora's Classical Records
Sikora's blows away the classical inventory of mainstream music stores with its giant list of CD/DVD titles, plus hundreds of LPs for all those traditionalists out there. Opera, organ, choral, chamber and early music are represented, and there's a section devoted to Canadian musicians. The staff are highly knowledgeable and can point you to a hot Mahler or Rachmaninov recording at the drop of a hat.
reviewed
-
M
Lynn Steven Boutique
An austere-looking white interior enlivened by a tower of paperbacks fashioned into a changing room, this excellent women's boutique is popular with under-30s coolsters looking for classic casual togs that will stand the test of time. Tops and jeans from designers in Toronto, New York and LA (including McGinn) dominate, but expect to also be tempted by the vegan bags from Montréal. Friendly service.
reviewed
-
N
Europe Bound Travel 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 on the racks here.
reviewed
-
O
Hill's Native Art
Launched in 1946 as a small trading post on Vancouver Island, Hill's flagship store has many First Nations carvings, prints, ceremonial masks and cozy Cowichan sweaters, and traditional music and books of historical interest. Artists are often found at work in the 3rd-floor gallery. There are many souvenir stores on Water St, but this is the one if you want to find something special and artistic.
reviewed
-
P
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.
reviewed
-
Q
Lola Home & Apparel
A browser's delight, this visually appealing 'lifestyle boutique' is a firm Yaletown favorite, especially among the ladies. Resembling a pastel-painted French shop from the Victorian era, it showcases modern-day designers who have incorporated antique and vintage aesthetics into their contemporary clothing lines: think Victorian soap leaves jostling for space with contemporary silk dresses.
reviewed
-
R
Ray Rickburn
Proving that not all of Vancouver's independent clothing stores cater only to women, this excellent men's apparel shop is the ideal haunt for blokes who want to reinvent their look. Patronized by under-30s with an eye on style, you'll find sweaters, skinny jeans and rakishly appealing jackets from the likes of Ted Baker, Fred Perry and Paul Smith. That's right: it costs to look this good.
reviewed
-
S
Bibliophile Bookshop
Serving the area's well-read bohemians, this great used-tome store is one of several bookish nooks along the Drive. Floor-to-ceiling stacks bulge with titles covering just about every subject, including a surprisingly good selection of Canadian fiction. The shop additionally sells a menagerie of folk art, which explains the random carved ornaments populating spots where books won't fit.
reviewed
-
T
Smoking Lily
Quirky art-school cool rules here, with skirts, belts and halter-tops whimsically accented with prints of ants, skulls or the periodic table. Men's clothing is slowly creeping into the mix, with fish, skull and tractor T-shirts and ties. It's hard to imagine a better souvenir than the silk tea cozy printed with a Pierre Trudeau likeness. It's a fun spot to browse and staff are friendly.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
Highend Organics
Carrying tons of hemp, recycled and organic fiber clothing, this counterculture favorite is also one of the only places in the city where you can buy the sought-after Blackspot sneakers produced by Adbusters magazine. Alongside the hoodies, Ts and pants, there’s a head-spinning array of bongs, which should please the customs officers when they find one in your suitcase.
reviewed
-
V
Vancouver Special
An irresistible, white-walled interiors store that appeals to design-minded individuals with its carefully chosen array of Pantone mugs, molded plastic side tables and glossy architecture books. It's the kind of place you can easily spend an hour just browsing: the problem is you'll almost certainly find something – an Alessi bottle opener perhaps? – that you just can't live without.
reviewed
-
W
Petri Dish
If you want to pick up a quirky reminder of your time in Vancouver, drop by this eclectic arts and crafts store stuffed with exquisite but generally inexpensive creations by local artists. There’s an ever-changing selection but items can include treasures such as painted tea bags or collage greeting cards, as well as small but lovable original paintings for less than $50.
reviewed
-
X
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.
reviewed
-
Y
Book Warehouse
This busy outlet of Vancouver's favorite independent bookstore chain is one of several branches around the city. Prices are discounted on most titles and there's a good travel section and big stocks of new releases, contemporary faves and perennial classics. Look out for regular sales and pre-announced shipments of 'hurt books' – new tomes with minor dings and major discounts.
reviewed