Misch boutique on South Granville. Photo © Misch
A few weeks ago, I wrote about my move from South Granville (the Fairview shopping district that extends from Granville Street Bridge to 16th Avenue) and one of my favourite things about my (now) old neighbourhood: the fabulous restaurants. In this second post on South Granville, I’ll write about another thing that makes South Granville a must-visit: the incredible shopping.
Robson Street and the downtown shopping core tend to get all the media attention when it comes to Vancouver’s world-class shopping. While it’s true that Robson Street is great for atmosphere—the crowds and downtown venue give it a true shopping-mecca feel—and for menswear (it’s hard to find as wide a selection of menswear outside of downtown), for truly unique fashion and housewares, you have to get off that well-beaten path.
On South Granville, you’ll find clothing boutiques that think outside the Banana Republic/Zara box, fashion that covers a wide price range, some of the best home stores in the city and many of Vancouver’s hottest commercial art galleries.
3 Reasons to Shop South Granville
1. The fashion!
While you will find big international brands on South Granville—including James Perse and the ridiculously-cheap (and therefore perfect for teenagers who crave trends over quality) Urban Planet—the true fashion finds here are the independent, locally-owned boutiques. My absolute favourite high-end shop—and worth a visit for inspiration even if you can’t afford the prices—is Misch. Misch owner and Vancouverite Lara Osen has an uncanny eye for stocking the best in hard-to-find labels and emerging designers. Other must-visits: Ashia Mode, Purr and local-favourite Lord’s Shoes.
2. The housewares!
South Granville is, hands-down, the best place to shop for the home in all of Vancouver. It’s home to some huge brands—including B.C.’s only Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn Kids—and loads of furniture stores, but, again, it’s the unique boutiques that deserve the accolades. Check out Bacci’s funky dishware and linens, 18 Karat’s hand-made stone vases and innovative textiles, and the antiques at Old Country Canada.
18 Karat on South Granville. Photo © 18 Karat
3. The art!
South Granville has earned the moniker “Gallery Row” for it’s 20+ galleries and antique shops, all of which are wonderful for browsing as well as shopping. When it comes to art, these galleries run the gamut, from Asian and First Nations sculpture to B.C. impressionism and contemporary photography. Get info on current gallery exhibits here.
Spirit Riders Panel by Artist Rande Cook (Kwakwaka’wakw) at South Granville's Douglas Reynolds Gallery. Photo © SouthGranvilleblog
What do you love about shopping on South Granville? Please share your finds and favourites in the comments!
Also in this series:
South Granville, Part I: Top 5 Restaurants on South Granville
South Granville, Part III: Vancouver’s Gallery Row
8:41 am
As a newcomer to South Granville–I relocated my shop URBANITY from Gastown, in May 2010–I would like to mention the great shopping that is woven into Gallery Row. These shops sell locally created unique clothing and homewares, as well as hand-picked items from afar:
Zonda Nellis at 5th
The Silk Project, and Heather Ross in House on 6th
Babs Studio Boutique and
URBANITY – both on Granville at 8th
9:57 am
Julia,
Thank you; these are great tips! I’ll absolutely visit Urbanity the next time I’m in South Granville, and you are right: there are loads of lovely shops “interwoven” amidst the galleries. (Actually, though most galleries are concentrated between W Broadway and the Bridge, there are galleries around W 15th Ave, too, including Bau Xi Gallery, Vancouver’s oldest contemporary art gallery.)
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