SHOPPING IN VANCOUVER

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Although you won't need Dim Sum after your breakfast at Arbutus Garden House, head to Chinatown for its great smells, sights and fun shopping. The second largest area of its kind in North America, you will find all the Oriental specialties here as well as the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens---the only classical Chinese garden outside China.
Location: East and west of Main street on Keefer and Pender Street.
Website:

Commercial Drive :
The young [and the young at heart] have rediscovered this 'Little Italy' neighborhood. Funky shops, Italian coffee houses and bistros blend to create an interesting place to shop.
Location: Along Commercial Drive from Hastings Street to Broadway.
Website: www.thedrive.net

Fourth Avenue:
Once the home of the 'Flower Children' of the 60's, Fourth Avenue has become a trendy street of specialty stores and restaurants.
Location: Along Fourth Avenue between Burrard Street and Alma Street

Gastown :
The oldest commercial area of the city. Mostly a collection of " tourist shops" but with some good restaurants and pubs. Try Hills Indian Crafts for that "special " gift---caution---this is where Bill C bought that "special " gift for Monica, and look where it got him.
Location : Water Street between Seymour and Carrall
Website: www.gastown.org

Granville Island:
Old warehouses and factories have been reconfigured to create a public market and craft-/artisan shops along the docks. This is a place to listen to street musicians, buy fresh produce and gourmet items, and enjoy the sea and gulls while eating on the docks of the Granville Island restaurants. Many guests spend several hours wandering here and want to go back the next day. It is the shopping spot that best expresses the spirit of our West coast city. Granville Island Market 
Location: Under the Granville Street bridge. Easiest access off Burrard on 2nd Ave.
Website: www.granvilleisland.bc.ca

Kerrisdale:
This is "main street" for the residents of the Kerrisdale residential district. All the stores are related to "community" shopping.

Location : On 41st Avenue at West Boulevard
Website: www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/resources/feature_c/kerrisdale/

Main Street:
Old treasures are the reason to seek out Main Street. It is the antique or collectables lover's dream with great coffee houses and cafes to enjoy while you ponder the best way to have that antique stuffed wingback chair delivered back home.

Location : On Main Street between 18th and 33rd
Website: www.main-street.ca

Robson Street:

For those with a passion for fashion! Designer brands and endless rows of fashion boutiques found on Robson Street. This is the trendy place to shop, to see and be seen. The sidewalk cafes, specialty stores like nike, virgin records, GAP and Banana Republic, and Chic Restaurants attract visitors and locals alike.

Location : On Robson Street west of Granville Street.
Website: www.robsonstreet.bc.ca

 
South Granville:
One of the oldest commercial areas in the city, this area is now being transformed into a mixture of upscale shops, art galleries, theatre, antique stores and restaurants. This is the shopping street for Arbutus House' Shaughnessy neighborhood.
Location : Between the south end of the Granville Street bridge and 16th Avenue

West Vancouver:
Here you will find a large shopping mall, Park Royal. Continue your drive along Marine and come to a quaint village with outstanding boutiques, antique stores and restaurants. Rest those sore 'shopper's feet' with a picnic dinner [from one of the delis] on a bench on the seawall. The most peacefully beautiful sunsets vistas are here!
Location : Across the Lions Gate Bridge, turn left to West Vancouver.
website: www.westvancouver.com

MAJOR SHOPPING MALLS

Metrotown Center:
Situated in Vancouver's closest suburb, Burnaby and it offers over 350 shops and services. Over 4,000 free parking spaces are available for motorists. Metrotown is accessible by a fifteen minute skytrain ride from the Vancouver Century Plaza Hotel and Spa or from New Westminster's Royal Towers Hotel and Casino. With some of the most impressive video arcades and movie theaters around you definitely want to check out this enormous mall.
Location: 4700 Kingsway Burnaby.

Oakridge Shopping Center:
Located 10 minutes from Arbutus House, Oakridge is an upscale mall with the Bay department store as its base. There are several specialty shops as well as three movie theatres.
Location : On 41st Avenue between Oak and Cambie Street
Website: www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/resources/feature_c/oakridge/

Pacific Center
A four minute walk from the Century Plaza Hotel, Pacific Center Mall has over 200 stores and services stretching over three city blocks. Boutiques, restaurants and specialty stores are set among cascading fountains, a three-story waterfall and glass skylights. Pacific Center offers convenient currency exchange, entertainment ticket sales and gourmet food to go. Pacific Centre is home to over 200 stores and services, including well-known names Eaton's, Holt Renfrew, The Gap, Banana Republic, and Sport Chek. Whether you're searching for a designer fashions, the latest in sporting goods gear, one-of-a kind jewellery, or trendy home décor, Pacific Centre has it all! Come see for yourself and shop the centre of the city!

Richmond Center:
Across the Oak Street bridge you'll find this large suburban mall with all the amenities you might expect including movie theatres and restaurants.
Location :South over Oak St. Bridge, left on No.3 Road