Favourite Vancouver ShoppingMy favourite Vancouver shopping spot? It all depends on what I’m looking for of course, but I like Main Street, Granville Island, 4th Avenue, Chinatown, Little Italy… Oops, getting carried away already. If I had to choose, my top 3 would be: Granville Island Granville Island is for real people too, artists and tourists mostly (and some concrete plant workers…) Despite its status as a Vancouver shopping and tourist “must-see” destination, the Island stays grounded. Granville Island has some very interesting Vancouver shopping treasures. Edie Hats - many types of hats that I'd never seen outside of the movies! Studios and some of the best stores for art supplies in Vancouver line the streets, whether you are an artist in the studio, in the sewing room or in the kitchen (visit the best food market in the city). If I absolutely have to pick a favourite store on all of Granville Island, it is my own paper heaven Paper Ya.
Do you like beer? Have kids? Searching for art? Need some cement? But that just adds to the Island's character, and keeps it close to its roots. Though not too close, since Granville Island started as a run-down industrial site, until it was re-imagined in the 1970s into a vibrant arts and life community. Main Street I always have fun here. And I always find some really neat thing for some really low price. Monster bandaids, an old-school “How to Make Love” and a Strawberry Shortcake wallet – an eclectic and fun selection at Lazy Susan's. Among the treasures… half a globe as a lampshade for a geologist and travel-loving friend. And there’s vintage clothing stores and antique ‘stuff’ shops.
For young designers and the socially conscious, for fun retro gifts and intriguing concept clothes, Main Street is a Vancouver shopping spot for real people, right in the middle of the city. The perfect blue bag I found at G-Girl Fashion on Main Street, Vancouver. I carry it everywhere. It even came with me to England for 3 weeks! My blue bag and me squishing through the sand by the English Channel. Chinatown in Vancouver Just plain fun. I admit that I’m too scared to try many of the foods, and I don’t know what most of them are! I’ve found inexpensive and very attractive plant pots, a china tea set for a young (turning 3) friend, the perfect-sized coin purse (which I use to carry earrings when I travel). And then I always end up at Ming Wo’s (23 E Pender), a kitchen supply shop full of very functional items for very specific purposes that I can never quite figure out. I have found a massive sunflower platter and great steel measuring cups, though many times I just go in to look at all the inspiring kitchen-y clutter. And to finish, into the Dr. Sun Yat Sen traditional Chinese Garden (free entry a half hour before closing, but well-worth the entrance price as well). Chinatown in Vancouver is a grand day out. Best Vancouver Shopping
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(I love how so much junk qualifies as an antique – and how many times what you think is junk ends up looking so attractive when someone gives it some love and a home.) 
