Savvy Shopper: Commercial Drive and Market Square

If you’re planning a shopping trip to Vancouver or Victoria this holiday season, why not look beyond the chain stores for an unusual, original and downright fabulous shopping experience?

Commercial Drive, Vancouver

For a retail adventure that mixes eclectic and chic, journey to Commercial Drive—the city’s vibrant, offbeat heart—in East Vancouver. The old Top: Dandelion Kids brims with
uniquetoys and children's
accessories like this wooden pirate
ship (Dandelion Kids); Bottom: Ten
Thousand Villages has fair trade
items from around the world
(Ten Thousand Villages)Italian neighbourhood has gone global with shopping and gastronomic influences ranging from Holland to Nepal, Cuba to Ethiopia. The prime shopping area runs from Broadway to Venables and features world music, vintage and cutting-edge fashion, art, books and a selection of international coffee shops, cafes and restaurants.

If you’re buying for trendy babies and kids, head to Dandelion Kids at 1206. The store features distinctive designer items such as giant wall stickers and fabric mobiles, organic clothing, stylish necessities and fair trade toys including wholesome wooden toys.

Original, inspired and quirky are the key words at Doctor Vigari Gallery at 1312. You can shop for, or just admire, original photography, furniture, sculpture, paintings and accessories such as hand-painted ceramic tiles and arty chocolate bars created by B.C. and national artists.

If you want to get all your shopping done in one place, Ten Thousand Villages at 1204 is the spot. The emporium offers hundreds of fair trade gifts from around the world including chili-infused chocolate, picture frames, handwoven baskets, chess boards, jewellery, musical instruments, plant pots and wall sculptures made from recycled oil drums.

Market Square, Victoria

Market Square in Victoria offers
many unique shopping options
(Tourism BC)Market Square off Johnson Street in Victoria’s historic Old Town offers heritage ambiance and a smart choice of boutique stores unique to the island.

Gloss Beauty Bar at 104A is dedicated to the attainment of gorgeousness. All the staff are professional makeup artists so they can offer genuinely useful advice along with exclusive Canadian and international beauty brands such as Cake, Cargo, Principressa, Jaqua and Sara Happ.

Dig This at 128 is a celebration of gardening and outdoor living. It stocks gifts and gear for gardeners such as ergonomic tools, pottery, fountains and furniture. Every holiday season regular customers flock to the store to pick up imaginative designer containers of amaryllis or paperwhites. Ready-made arrangements, DIY kits and custom orders of the blooming winter bulbs are all available. Other eye-catching gifts include maple, oak and holly leaves dipped in gold, silver or copper.

The work of several local artists can be found at 101 at Rave ‘n’ Iron, the heavy metal art store for those who like bold, no-frills urban art. Many of the items on display are made from recycled stainless steel and home décor items include clocks, mirrors, sculpture and art dolls. Personal accessories range from earrings to belt buckles.

Muffet and Louisa at 1437 Store Street is a classy island brand selling attractive but practical items for sleeping, eating and bathing. The seriously house-proud will be impressed at the assortment of common and not-so-common products such as dough blenders, espresso machines, odd measuring spoons, duvet covers, slippers and shower squeegees.