Vancouver, BC shopping locations

Next week I am taking my daughter to Vancouver BC for an intensive tap dancing festival. She will be busy in workshops during the day so that leaves me free to roam the streets however I want! Now, keep in mind that I am originally FROM Vancouver, born and raised, but haven't lived there since I got married and moved to California 24 years ago. The funny thing is, even though I go back to Vancouver 3 or 4 times a year to see family, I am always so busy seeing family that I never get to experience casual shopping in my own hometown!

So anyway , my question is about shopping in downtown Vancouver. I'm sure the hot spots have all changed since I was a dedicated Vancouver shopper so many years ago! So I am wondering where the best places are these days...specifically boutiques and Vancouver/Canadian designers. I am hoping to keep to the downtown area so I don't have to drive anywhere. I'll be staying near Davie Street so I'm hoping to keep to within strolling distance of that. And yes, I am aware of Pacific Centre and Holts since those are my old haunting grounds. I'm hoping to find that new Vancouver gem that has appeared in the past couple years!

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Holts all the way.

Anonymous

LOTS to check out on Robson St.

annagybe

Veteran

Robson is mostly High Street stuff.
Yaletown had some interesting independent boutiques and trendy restaurants.
I've always wanted to go here, but never made it.
http://www.secretlocation.ca/

Not fashion, but go here, you'll won't regret it

https://www.minkchocolates.com/

Gaylene

My favourite wandering around areas for local designers are Gastown and mid-Main between 20th and 23 Ave. Check out Twigg and Hottie, Life of Riley, and Two of Hearts in mid-Main, and Fluevog's flagship store in Gastown. Gastown also has Obakki, Narcissist, and Dutil.Denim.

Vix

Lucky you, Marlene! I stayed in West End too -- such a great area for walking to so much!

It's been a few years since my trip, but Main Street/Mount Pleasant area, aka SoMa, had a fair amount of cool boutiques +/- local designers. I think you would need to drive to it or jump on public transit, though (we hit it while doing things that were easier in a car).

Commercial Drive has some clothing shops mixed in with everything hipster. Amazing options for all kinds of eating/grazing while you're looking.

Petite Marj

Active Member

South Granville, the area between Broadway and 16th has quite a few interesting shops. My favourite is Lords, an amazing shoe store with some clothing in the back end. You could easily catch a bus, just ask at the desk at the hotel. Yaletown and Gastown also have an eclectic assortment of shops. Nicole Bridger, in Gastown, is a well know Vancouver designer. Popping over to Granville Island is always lots of fun.Again, just ask at your hotel where to catch one of the small boats that will take you right there.

missvee

For shoes, check out Ingledews on W. Hastings, and Ella, on Granville. I've had good luck at both of these stores.

jackiec

Great ideas already posted. As Gaylene mentions, many up-and-comers are in Gastown and also Main St. I keep meaning to get down to Gastown to check them out and never do.

Aziraphale

Gastown has a lot of neat boutique shops these days. That's where I'd head first if I hadn't shopped in Vancouver for a while and was looking for something interesting. Also Mount Pleasant (Main Street at around 20th- 23rd in particular) has lots of weird but cute little boutique shops. Don't miss Umeboshi shoes on the southeast corner of Main and (I think!) 22nd.

Holt's, which is ordinarily on the upscale side, is unfortunately organized like a bargain basement at the end of August. They have racks and racks of sale stuff out for people to rummage through. If you like bargain hunting, it's fun (and you can get some good deals), but if you don't it's overwhelming.

Robson is good, if you want all the mainstream chain stores. I still like Pacific Centre mall, but if you can get out to Park Royal in West Van, I like that one even better. They've added a lot of outdoor shopping over the past decade and it's quite pretty, and makes for a pleasant shopping experience.

Also, there is a well-known shopping area along 4th avenue in Kitsilano. I haven't shopped there in quite a while, but it's long -- from about Burrard St west, you've got at least 15 blocks of boutique shopping.

Marlene

Thanks everyone! I think that Gastown and Yaletown are definitely on my list! It sounds like there will be some interesting shopping in those areas. I will probably skip Robson unless it has somehow transformed from the touristy stretch it was before. I am probably going to hit the 4th Avenue stretch on my way to the museum at UBC. I'm also going to see Vancouver Art Gallery and a few other small galleries that are around there. And I've made some plans to see some ol' school chums and workmates and family members. So it will be busy!

Aziraphale - thanks for the reminder about Park Royal! That was my primary mall when I was a kid! I was there 2 years ago when I was in town for my high school reunion and was surprised at how upscale it has become. No more bowling alley...

The last time I was in Gastown, I did not enjoy it. I guess I need to go again.

Angie, Gastown has really changed in the last few years. Much more interesting and less dodgy. Robson, on the other hand in the summer, is crowded and mostly chain stores with a few luxury boutiques. Park Royal in West Van is much more pleasant.

Category