People can easily find all the usual big brand stores downtown Vancouver, particularly on Robson Street or within the mostly underground Pacific Centre Mall. Budget-conscious customers may also take the Canada Line train to Templeton Station and the nearby McArthurGlen Designer Outlet. However, Vancouver isn`t solely about well-known labels. It also has many unique independent shops definitely worth seeking out. Below are 15 of our favorites.
The 15 Best Places to Shop in Vancouver
1. MAKE Vancouver
Granville Island teems with irresistible indie and artisan stores selling a variety of goods including locally-brewed sake, handcrafted brooms similar to Harry Potter style ones. However, set aside ample time for an extended exploration of this spacious and uniquely quirky store, which offers moose-themed T-shirts, raincloud-patterned socks, bird-shaped earrings, and much more.
2. Mintage Mall
From Duchesse Vintage to the Eastside Flea, it’s not difficult to uncover fantastic pre-owned clothing finds in Vancouver. But arguably the best one-location shop is tucked into a second-level area just off the Main and Broadway intersection. Browse about a dozen vendor spaces here, many with brilliantly curated past outfit ideas.
3. Much + Little
Arbiter of Main Street cool for almost a decade, this friendly apparel, extras, and housewares store has a laser-sharp focus on attractive and groundbreaking plan, sourcing amazing items from local, nationwide, and global designers and artisans. Browse their website collections prior to arrival.
4. Neptoon Records
Situated just a short walk from Red Cat Records, Neptoon provides a haven for those wishing to leisurely browse its teeming shelves of both classic and newly released CDs and vinyl records. Said to be the city`s oldest record store, it is the perfect spot to discover some of Vancouver`s celebrated homegrown punk bands from past eras.
5. Iron Dog Books
Starting as a mobile bookshop that toured local festivals and farmers’ markets, Iron Dog opened a Vancouver storefront in 2019, bringing their signature friendliness, carefully selected range of new and used titles, and commitment to reasonable prices to a much wider audience. Need more? Add visits to Pulpfiction Books, MacLeod’s Books and The Paper Hound Bookshop.
6. The Block
Radiating along and around Water Street, Gastown’s preserved storefronts from the past house some of the city’s best boutiques––including this sparkling men’s and women’s clothing store lined with stylish creations from designers in Canada and globally. A Vancouver favorite, accessories and shoes add to the appeal here.
7. Hills of Kerrisdale
Heart of the charming, historical Kerrisdale Village shopping area. It feels like a store-lined main street in a small English town. Hills has been clothing local men and women in current styles for more than a century. Well-chosen brands cover the high-ceilinged interior and the staff is always ready to offer expert advice.
8. MEC Vancouver
Relocating to a striking new flagship premises near Olympic Village in mid-2020, the city`s preferred outdoor gear emporium is filled to the rafters with famous brands and own-label attire for hiking, camping, and more. There’s also footwear, bicycles, packs, kayaks, and those crucial waterproof jackets.
9. Thomas Haas Chocolates
The main streets of Kitsilano, 4th Avenue and Broadway, each have a line of shops worth exploring––and there are also plenty of eating places and coffee stops along the route. Make a beeline for Broadway to find this renowned purveyor of chocolate treats, complete with gourmet bars, decadent truffles, and some silky chocolate ganache bonbons (passion fruit recommended).
10. Dandelion Records & Emporium
A small, niche Main Street store blending well-curated vinyl records with a smart selection of gifts, home items, and accessories. Expect locally-made jewelry, small-batch chocolate bars or quirky board games––plus other miscellaneous offerings. Record varieties here encompass punk, progressive rock, and new wave.
11. Wickaninnish Gallery
There are various places to obtain high-end Pacific Northwest First Nations artwork in Vancouver but this welcoming Granville Island Net Loft boutique is ideal for authentic, reasonably-priced gifts and souvenirs. From art prints to dream catchers and from silver jewelry to patterned water bottles, this Indigenous-owned store is a must-see for gift-shoppers.
12. Catfe
Vancouver’s first cat café has found forever homes for more than 900 felines since 2015. But local and visiting cat lovers don’t just flock here to hang with the whiskered wonders in its popular lounge. There’s also a tail-twitching array of moggy merchandise to check out, like cat-themed earrings, T-shirts, and scarves––plus tiny bow ties for feline dandies.
13. Old Faithful Shop
Where hip Vancouverites flock to better their cool credentials, the exposed brick interior of this Gastown store frames an expertly curated array of ultra-stylish homewares and accessories. From art books to Italian coffee carafes and from French soap to Japanese socks, it’s the perfect place to explore top-notch design from around the world.
14. Circle Craft
A spacious Granville Island gallery lined with a kaleidoscopic array of artsy creations from B.C. craftspeople, the ever-changing displays here can included everything from glass art animals to fibre art figures and from swirling nature canvases to ceramic bowls shaped like livestock. It’s a browser’s paradise for the creatively inclined.
15. The Drive Skate Shop
A haven for local and visiting skateboard aficionados, the vendors at this near-mythical Commercial Drive outlet demonstrate considerable expertise in assisting all skill levels, from experienced riders to novices setting up their initial board. Expect outstanding gear and accessories along with opportunities to socialize with like-minded individuals.
