Vancouver
This large, bright cooperative gallery hawks a highly diverse and ever-changing array of BC arts and crafts, which could include bat-patterned ceramics,…
Must-see shopping in British Columbia
Whistler
If your idea of après-ski is curling up with a book beside a hotel fireplace, body-swerve the noisy pubs that populate the gondola base-stations and head…
Vancouver
If chocolate is the main food group in your book, follow your candy-primed nose to this choccy shop and cafe in the downtown core. Select from the…
British Columbia
Sometimes the best bookshops are in the most improbable places. Servicing Galiano’s 1000+ residents and a flurry of summer visitors, this small but…
Vancouver
An indoor array of creative boutiques just across from the far-busier Public Market. Highlight stores include arts-and-crafty Paper-Ya, cave-like…
Vancouver Island
Testament to Cumberland's hipster revival, this artisan chocolate shop is a delicious delight. Everything is made on-site but don't miss the dainty salted…
Vancouver
Behind the double-fronted, canary-yellow facade of this Main St favorite beats the heart of a store that pioneered the emergence of this area as Vancouver…
Vancouver
This enduringly popular store is a must for indie types. With a perfectly curated array of women's clothing plus superbly designed household goods and…
Vancouver Island
You can easily spend a leisurely afternoon perusing the selection at this cavernous corner bookstore with its large array of magazines and comprehensive…
Victoria
A favorite record store among Victoria's retro-minded, Ditch is lined with iconic vinyl, plenty of CDs and many furtive music fans perusing releases by…
Vancouver
There's a great collection of tempting vintage offerings available here, everything from Bakelite clocks to 1970s cocktail shakers. The retro-loving store…
Victoria
A pilgrimage spot for fans of regular and exotic teas, where you can pick up all manner of leafy paraphernalia. Alternatively, sidle up to the tasting bar…
Vancouver
One the city's largest farmers markets lures locals from East Vancouver and beyond with dozens of stalls hawking everything from fresh, local-grown…
Vancouver Island
A multi-room town-center bookstore piled high with used books, all guarded by a house cat that may or may not let you stroke her (probably not). Look out…
Sechelt Farmers & Artisans Market
British Columbia
Combining fresh local produce (look out for seasonal BC peaches and cherries) with cool arts and crafts, this market is Sechelt's liveliest community hub …
Victoria
Victoria's favorite farmers market is bustling with more than 100 stalls piled high with regional produce (look out for BC peaches) as well as arts and…
British Columbia
This is a good place to orient yourself for a tour of the islands' 20-plus art galleries. The bonus is that there's a small bookshop here as well, selling…
Victoria
At this indoor market lined with artisan food businesses, tempting deli counters and food-court dining, you'll find everything from chocolate to cheese to…
Victoria
This summer-long arts and crafts market is worth a sunny browse, accompanied by the sound of a zither-playing busker. You might even find a souvenir more…
Victoria
An idyllic grassy spot to spend an hour wandering the stalls of local produce, regional arts and crafts, and naughty bakery treats. Look out for live…
Victoria
This popular Victoria fixture sells must-have furnishings, accessories and bath products – plus locally made artisan jewelry. It's located in a vintage…
Northern BC
Stocks books and info on the area's thriving folk-music scene; the tiny cafe serves veggie soup and lunches, while the community noticeboard takes pride…
Victoria
A labyrinthine Chinatown store hawking everything from paper lanterns to fake bonsai trees. It's hard not to find something to buy here.
British Columbia
Housed in the grand old 1909 former courthouse, this gallery has some of the best items produced by local artisans.
Vancouver
Two things about this store are pleasingly old-fashioned: staff greet you and ask how they can help, and the items they're selling harken to a bygone age…
Vancouver
There's a highly tempting array of must-haves at this whimsical, wood-floored homewares boutique, from natural-fibre throws and sumptuous bath products to…
Vancouver
Despite the twee name, this is a five-room cooperative representing local craft vendors and artisan businesses under one roof. From sock puppets to rustic…
Vancouver
Expect to be greeted as soon as you step inside this white-walled little chocolate-shop-and-cafe combo, specializing in raw chocolate with sophisticated,…
Vancouver
This historic West Coast chocolate-making company is based in Victoria, but this is its flagship Vancouver store. Try not to lick the dark-wood shelves as…
Vancouver
A Vancouver institution since 1879 – hence the landmark freestanding clock outside – Birks crafts exquisite heirloom jewelry and its signature line of…
Vancouver
Stockists of the legendary Canada-made Tilley Endurables travel hat range, this family owned store has added other labels to its lineup of hard-wearing…
Vancouver
Flagship downtown store of the Vancouver-based chain that made ass-hugging yoga wear a mainstream fashion, this is the shop for that archetypal West Coast…
Vancouver
If rain curtails your shopping activities, duck inside downtown Vancouver's main mall. You'll find all the usual chain and department store suspects, plus…
Vancouver
Stocking guidebooks and travel literature as well as bags and backpacks, this is one of Vancouver's oldest travel-themed stores. There are also several…
Vancouver
True to Commercial Dr's Italian heritage, family-run Kalena's imports handsome top-quality leather shoes and boots from the old country. Well-crafted men…
Vancouver
A jam-packed browser's paradise of mostly women's retro clothes and accessories, this is the perfect store to reinvent your look. Thinking of combining a…
Vancouver
Stocking a kaleidoscopic and wildly eclectic array of original retro clothing from 1970s concert T-shirts to 1990s grunge-wear, there's also a particular…
Vancouver
Small and friendly, this boutique wine shop has a down-to-earth approach to its products, which makes it a great place to hit if you can't tell the…
Vancouver Island
Handily located next to a bakery, this long-established cheesemaker purveys a rich selection of local and international cheeses that'll add nuance to your…
