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Art galleries, ethnic markets, gourmet-food shops, and high-fashion boutiques abound in Vancouver. Shopping here is more interesting and varied than in many other North American cities because of the prevalence of Asian and First Nations influences in crafts, home furnishings, and foods.
Downtown Vancouver has many of the same chain stores that you can find across North America but there is also an exciting community of budding local fashion designers whose creative clothes and accessories fill the smaller boutiques. If you're looking for interesting local shops, head beyond Downtown, especially to the Gastown and Main Street neighborhoods, and to the Portobello West Market. Keep in mind, too, that the word "mall" here can mean more than just generic shopping, particularly in suburban Richmond, where malls tend to cater to an upscale Asian community. It's almost like shopping in Hong Kong, Beijing, or Tokyo.
In the art scene, look for First Nations and other aboriginal art, from souvenir trinkets to stellar contemporary art; many galleries showcasing First Nations artists are in Gastown. Area artisans also create a variety of fine crafts, exhibiting and selling their wares at Granville Island galleries. Some local favorites are included in the listings, and Granvilleisland.com has a complete listing of island galleries and studios.
Food—especially local seafood (available smoked and packed to travel), cheeses from British Columbia and across Canada, and even locally made chocolates, jams, and other goodies—makes tasty souvenirs (or delicious snacking or picnic fare). British Columbia also has a rapidly maturing wine industry, and local shops give advice about the region's offerings (and tastings, too). Remember the restrictions about taking alcohol back into your home country before you stock up.
Outdoor-oriented Vancouver is also a great place to pick up camping and hiking gear. There's a cluster of outdoor-equipment shops on West Broadway between Yukon and Manitoba streets just west of Main Street, and you’ll find several cycling, snowboarding, and skiing outlets on West 4th Avenue, just east of Burrard Street in Kitsilano.
Power-yoga devotees, soccer moms, and anyone who likes casual, comfy clothes covet the fashionable, well-constructed workout wear with the stylized "A" insignia from this Vancouver-based company. In addition to the flagship location at 2123 West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, there are several branches around town.
For outdoorsy clothes that double as souvenirs (many sport maple leaf logos), check out these Canadian-made sweatshirts, leather jackets, and other comfy casuals for men, women, and kids. In addition to this Downtown flagship store, there's a smaller branch down the street at 1153 Robson Street, and on West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, and a number of outlet stores, called Roots 73, in the suburbs.
This cute shop offers a creative take on '40s-style glamour and boho chic. Look for feminine clothing (dresses, dresses, and more dresses), jewelry, and bags—some by local designers—as well as vintage linens and decorative accessories.
Named for the Boboli Gardens, this lavish space, complete with an atrium-like shoe department, focuses on high-end Italian labels for men and women, such as Valentino, Etro, and Giambattista Valli.
This tiny shop showcases a variety of wares by up-and-coming local designers. The creative selections target the hip twentysomething crowd.
Local fashionistas swear by this cozy little shop and its well-curated racks of clothing, shoes, and accessories for both men and women. Local and international designers are featured.
It's hard to predict what you'll find in this pretty little shop—it's a fun spot to browse for cute women's clothing, jewelry, and accessories.
More evidence of Vancouver style making its mark on the world hangs at the Gastown flagship of this homegrown brand. Billed as "elevated essentials for real life," Kit and Ace's stylish, washable, and packable styles take Vancouverites (and anyone else) from work to dancing till dawn.
Vancouver's biggest vintage shop is a treasure trove of style from decades past. Collections of wedding dresses, cowboy boots, hats, jewelry, menswear, and party frocks galore share space with upcycled designs made from vintage fabrics. A second location, Mintage Mall, is at 245 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.
Based in Vancouver, with locations elsewhere in Canada, Oak + Fort sells simple (but stylish) locally designed women's clothing and accessories, plus a small selection of menswear and home decor items, at its spacious storefront.
The clothing and accessories here, from local and international makers, may not be one of a kind. But as the name of this funky little shop attests, you won't see the designs at mass-market retailers either.
Design students and celebrities flock to this airy, white gallery of highly curated clothing, accessories, jewelry, and art books. The constantly evolving collection favors cutting-edge European designers over household names.
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