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 Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:53 pm Post subject: SHOPPING IN CANADA (VANCOUVER) |
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SHOPPING IN CANADA (VANCOUVER)
Blessed with a climate that seems semitropical in comparison to the rest of Canada, Vancouverites never really developed a taste for indoor malls. Instead, most residents shop on the street. Below are a few thoughts on where to start exploring.
The Shopping Scene
Outside of malls, stores in Vancouver are generally open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm. A few exceptions: Stores on Robson Street stay open later (usually until 9pm), while stores in Kitsilano open later (around 10am). On Sunday most stores are open 11am to 6pm, but a few remain closed all day. Malls such as the Pacific Centre are open from 9am to 7pm Monday through Wednesday, 9am to 9pm Thursday through Saturday, and 10am to 6pm on Sunday. Come Christmas shopping season, stores extend their hours from 9am to 9pm 7 days a week.
Robson Street
It's been said that the corner of Robson and Burrard gets more foot traffic than any other corner in Canada. Urban myth? Who knows. Anyway, it's a busy, colourful parade of humanity, many individuals from Asia (hence the sushi bars and shops with Japanese signs), most with money. Over the past few years rents have risen so much that Robson Street now mostly offers upscale chain shops and international designer boutiques, though here and there a few local stores survive. Look for high-end fashions, with a focus on young designer fashions.
South Granville
The 10-block stretch of Granville Street -- from 6th Avenue up to 16th Avenue -- is where Vancouver's old-money enclave of Shaughnessy comes to shop. Classic and expensive men's and women's clothiers and housewares and furniture boutiques predominate. This area is also the heart of the city's gallery district.
Water Street
Though a little too heavy on the souvenir shops, Water Street and Gastown are by no means just a tacky tourist enclave. Look for antique and cutting-edge furniture, galleries of First Nations art, and funky basement retro shops.
Main Street
Antiques, and lots of them. From about 19th up to 27th, Main Street is chockablock with antiques shops. Rather than outbid each other, the stores have evolved so that each covers a particular niche, from Art Deco to country kitchen to fine Second Empire. It's a fun place to browse, and if your eyes start to glaze over at the thought of yet another divan, the area also has cafes, bookshops, and clothing stores.
Granville Island
A rehabilitated industrial site beneath the Granville Street Bridge, the Public Market is one of the best places to pick up salmon and other seafood. It's also a great place to browse for crafts and gifts. Particularly interesting is Kids Market, a kind of mini-mall for children, complete with a Lilliputian entranceway; toy, craft, and book stores; and play areas and services for the not-yet-10 demographic.
Asia West
If you've never been to Hong Kong, or are just itching to get back, this new commercial area on Richmond's No. 3 Road between Capstan and Alderbridge roads is the place to shop. Stores in four new malls -- the Yaohan Centre, President Plaza, Aberdeen Centre, and Parker Place -- cater to Vancouver's newly arrived Asian community by bringing in goods direct from Asia. If the prices seem a bit high, a simple inquiry is often enough to bring them plummeting down as much as 80%.
Punjabi Market
Just like an imported India, the 4 blocks of Main Street, on either side of 49th Avenue, contain the whole of the subcontinent, shrunk down to a manageable parcel. Look for fragrant spice stalls and sari shops and textile outlets selling luxurious fabrics -- at bargain-basement prices.
Shopping A-Z
Ceramics, China, Silver & Crystal--You can find a great array of sophisticated international china and crystal in the downtown stores. On Granville Island, you can observe potters, silversmiths, and glassblowers as they work their magic.
Cigars & Tobacco--Just remember: if they're Cuban, you'll have to light up on this side of the border.
Clothing--Vancouver has the Pacific Northwest's best collection of clothes from Paris, London, Milan, and Rome, in addition to a great assortment of locally made, cutting-edge fashions. It seems that almost every week a new designer boutique opens in Yaletown, Kitsilano, or Kerrisdale. International designer outlets include Chanel Boutique, 900 W. Hastings St. (tel. 604/682-0522); Salvatore Ferragamo, 918 Robson St. (tel. 604/669-4495); Gianni Versace Boutique, 757 W. Hastings St. (tel. 604/683-1131); Polo/Ralph Lauren, the Landing, 375 Water St. (tel. 604/682-7656); and Plaza Escada, Sinclair Centre, 757 W. Hastings St. (tel. 604/688-8558).
Discount Shopping--The strip of West 4th Avenue between Cypress and Yew streets has recently emerged as consignment-clothing central. New shops open regularly.
Facials to Go--If you're looking for someplace to go for a great facial, head over to Skoah, 1011 Hamilton St. (tel. 877/642-0200 or 604/642-0200; www.skoah.com). This cool co-ed spa in Yaletown, open 7 days a week, specialises in facials for men and women and sells its own line of organic, locally made skin-care products. The 75-minute "Facialicious" signature treatment (C$90/US$72) includes deep cleansing, exfoliating, delicate extractions, detoxifying, stimulating masks and a soothing foot and hand massage as well.
First Nations Arts & Crafts--You'll find First Nations art all over the city. You don't have to purchase a pricey antique to acquire original Coast Salish or Haida work. As the experts at the Museum of Anthropology explain, if an item is crafted by any of the indigenous Pacific Northwest artisans, it's a real First Nations piece of art. The culture is ancient yet still very much alive. Pick up a copy of Publication No. 10: A Guide to Buying Contemporary Northwest Coast Art by Karen Duffel (available at the Museum of Anthropology), which details how to identify and care for these beautifully carved, worked, and woven pieces. Bold, traditional, and innovative geometric designs; intricate carvings; strong primary colours; and rich wood tones are just a few of the elements you'll find in First Nations crafts.
Even if you're not in the market, go gallery-hopping to see works by Haida artists Bill Reid (the province's best-known Native artist) and Richard Davidson, and by Kwakwaka'wakw artist and photographer David Neel.
Food--You'll find salmon everywhere in Vancouver. Many shops package whole, fresh salmon with ice packs for visitors to take home. Shops also carry delectable smoked salmon in travel-safe, vacuum-packed containers. Some offer decorative cedar gift boxes; most offer overnight air transport. Try other salmon treats such as salmon jerky and Indian candy (chunks of marinated smoked salmon), which are available at public markets such as Granville Island Public Market and Lonsdale Quay Market.
And even though salmon is the most popular item to buy in Vancouver, coffee flows like water -- as does Belgian chocolate.
Galleries--On the first Thursday of every month, many galleries host free openings from 5 to 8pm. Check the Georgia Straight or Vancouver Magazine for listings or www.art-bc.com for more details on Vancouver's art scene.
Sporting Goods--A 2-block area near the Mountain Equipment Co-op has become Outdoor Central, with at least a half-dozen stores such as Altus Mountain Gear (137 W. Broadway; tel. 604/876-2525); Great Outdoors Equipment (222 W. Broadway; tel. 604/872-8872); and AJ Brooks (147 W. Broadway; tel. 604/874-1117). Just a block north on 8th Avenue, you'll find Taiga (380 W. 8th Ave.; tel. 604/875-8388) for inexpensive fleece and other quality outdoor gear.
In the past few years, the corner of 4th Avenue and Burrard Street has become the spot for high-quality snow/skate/surfboard gear as well as the spot to see top-level boarders and their groupies hanging out. Shops here include Pacific Boarder (1793 W. 4th Ave.; tel. 604/734-7245), Thriller (1710 W. 4th Ave.; tel. 604/736-5651), and the particularly noteworthy West Beach (1766 W. 4th Ave.; tel. 604/731-6449), which sometimes hosts pro-skate demos on the half-pipe at the back of the store.
Wine--British Columbia's wines are worth buying by the case, especially rich, honey-thick ice wines, such as Jackson-Triggs gold-medal-winning 1994 Johannesburg Riesling Ice wine, and bold reds, such as the Quail's Gate 1994 Limited Release Pinot Noir. Five years of restructuring, reblending, and careful tending by French and German master vintners have won the province's vineyards world recognition.
When buying B.C. wine, look for the VQA (Vintner Quality Alliance) seal on the label; it's a guarantee that all grapes used are grown in British Columbia and meet European standards for growing and processing.
Summerhill, Cedar Creek, Mission Hill, and Okanagan Vineyards are just a few of the more than 50 local estates producing hearty cabernet sauvignons, honey-rich ice wines, and oaky merlots. These wines can be found at any government-owned LCB liquor store, such as the one at 1716 Robson St. (tel. 604/660-4576) and at some privately owned wine stores. |
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