Shopping on Vancouver Island
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
While easily accessed via ferry, Vancouver Island is far enough away from the mainland to exist in its own bubble where life is slower and the artistic lifestyle is the norm. Shopping follows suit, and instead of being littered with big-box stores, the island draws shoppers to smaller, independent shops that are locally owned. It is this that makes the shopping scene on Vancouver Island unique. While visitors will find tourist nick-nacks made in China and big-box stores from Best Buy to Walmart, they will also find eclectic markets, gourmet food shops, artisan craftwork, galleries, antiques and First Nations goods in greater abundance.
MARKETS
Vancouver Island may just have the largest concentration of markets in Canada. Nearly every municipality here has at least one farmers' market and they are tremendously popular. Not only can local produce be typically found, but also freshly baked breads, preserves and cheeses. Jewellery, handmade clothing, pottery and soaps are often available too. And generally, everything is locally produced with most markets stipulating that vendors must make it, bake it or grow it themselves. Such is the case with one of the most famous area markets, the Salt Spring Island Market with more than 140 vendors.
The Coombs Old Country Market is also renowned by tourists and locals alike. While the grass-chewing goats on the roof are a popular draw, the inside market is the real attraction presenting itself as an international bazaar with interesting items from around the world.
Victoria, British Columbia's capital, is a hub for markets. Several are found here with some catering more to tourists, such as the Government Street Market, while others largely serve locals, such as the Moss Street Market.
GOURMET FOODS
Gourmet foods are often showcased at markets throughout the island, but there are also many specialty shops as well. With Victoria having the most restaurants per capita in Canada, it is no surprise that there are some serious foodies on Vancouver Island. This results in some finely produced foods. True Grain in Cowichan Bay not only crafts bread daily, but freshly mills organic grains on site in their stone gristmill before cooking breads in a stone hearth. They are conveniently located next to Hilary's Cheese, a family business producing full-flavoured dairy products from local cow and goat milk.
Other notable gourmet food shops include Wildfire Bakery in Victoria, Cheddar and Co in Campbell River, and McLean's Specialty Foods in Nanaimo.
GALLERIES
Vancouver Island's mild climate creates a fertile environment where creative energy abounds, drawing artists and writers to the region in droves. There are hundreds of galleries here, from large public spaces to intimate artists' residences. In addition to paintings, visitors can find sculptures from island marble and limestone, stained glass, textiles, wood carvings, pottery and ceramics. The highest concentration of galleries is in Victoria. While not a commercial gallery, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria provides an in-depth look at local and Canadian art. Other galleries display the work of one artist or a variety through a range of mediums, such as the West End Gallery.
The town of Chemainus is itself a gallery known for the large murals throughout its streets, but it is also home to the Chemainus Theatre Festival Gallery. Other stand-out commercial galleries include the Englishman River Gallery in Parksville and the Qualicum Frameworks Gallery in Qualicum Beach.
FIRST NATIONS ART & CRAFTS
First Nations art and crafts are available in abundance on Vancouver Island. While replicas are often found in tourist shops, it is best to seek out the real deal in order to support artists and to find stunning carvings, bentwood boxes, drums, bowls, rattles, knitted sweaters and more. Quamichan Gallery and Gift Shop, located within the Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre in Duncan, carries authentic Cowichan sweaters in addition to artwork by Joe Jack and Martina Wilson. Also in Duncan, the Judy Hill Gallery carries works by over a hundred First Nations artists. Kwakiutl Art of the Copper Maker Gallery in Port Hardy features a beautiful space where visitors can watch artists at work as well as purchase traditional works by fine First Nations artists.
VANCOUVER ISLAND KEEPSAKES
Through souvenir shops and gift boutiques an eclectic array of merchandise is offered. But there are a few items that typify Vancouver Island specifically. Look for locally crafted jewellery, BC jade jewellery and sculptures, handmade pottery and jewellery made from sea glass (polished glass that washes up on beaches). Boutiques offering wares from independent designers flourish here, especially in Victoria on Lower Johnson. Smoking Lily, among others, is known for its original creations.
Along with attracting creative folk, Vancouver Island draws spiritual types as reflected in shops that specialize in new-age products, crystals and yoga paraphernalia. From old souls to old furniture, antiques are something to look for as well. Fort Street in Victoria is also known as Antique Row for its abundance of auction houses and shops. Or check out the antique malls of Chemainus, such as the Willow Street Antique Mall.
Like other places in Canada, book stores struggle to exist on Vancouver Island but Munro's Books in Victoria is winning the battle having been in operation since 1963. Or visit Sidney with more second-hand bookstores per capita than anywhere else in Canada.
MARKETS
Vancouver Island may just have the largest concentration of markets in Canada. Nearly every municipality here has at least one farmers' market and they are tremendously popular. Not only can local produce be typically found, but also freshly baked breads, preserves and cheeses. Jewellery, handmade clothing, pottery and soaps are often available too. And generally, everything is locally produced with most markets stipulating that vendors must make it, bake it or grow it themselves. Such is the case with one of the most famous area markets, the Salt Spring Island Market with more than 140 vendors.
The Coombs Old Country Market is also renowned by tourists and locals alike. While the grass-chewing goats on the roof are a popular draw, the inside market is the real attraction presenting itself as an international bazaar with interesting items from around the world.
Victoria, British Columbia's capital, is a hub for markets. Several are found here with some catering more to tourists, such as the Government Street Market, while others largely serve locals, such as the Moss Street Market.
GOURMET FOODS
Gourmet foods are often showcased at markets throughout the island, but there are also many specialty shops as well. With Victoria having the most restaurants per capita in Canada, it is no surprise that there are some serious foodies on Vancouver Island. This results in some finely produced foods. True Grain in Cowichan Bay not only crafts bread daily, but freshly mills organic grains on site in their stone gristmill before cooking breads in a stone hearth. They are conveniently located next to Hilary's Cheese, a family business producing full-flavoured dairy products from local cow and goat milk.
Other notable gourmet food shops include Wildfire Bakery in Victoria, Cheddar and Co in Campbell River, and McLean's Specialty Foods in Nanaimo.
GALLERIES
Vancouver Island's mild climate creates a fertile environment where creative energy abounds, drawing artists and writers to the region in droves. There are hundreds of galleries here, from large public spaces to intimate artists' residences. In addition to paintings, visitors can find sculptures from island marble and limestone, stained glass, textiles, wood carvings, pottery and ceramics. The highest concentration of galleries is in Victoria. While not a commercial gallery, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria provides an in-depth look at local and Canadian art. Other galleries display the work of one artist or a variety through a range of mediums, such as the West End Gallery.
The town of Chemainus is itself a gallery known for the large murals throughout its streets, but it is also home to the Chemainus Theatre Festival Gallery. Other stand-out commercial galleries include the Englishman River Gallery in Parksville and the Qualicum Frameworks Gallery in Qualicum Beach.
FIRST NATIONS ART & CRAFTS
First Nations art and crafts are available in abundance on Vancouver Island. While replicas are often found in tourist shops, it is best to seek out the real deal in order to support artists and to find stunning carvings, bentwood boxes, drums, bowls, rattles, knitted sweaters and more. Quamichan Gallery and Gift Shop, located within the Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Centre in Duncan, carries authentic Cowichan sweaters in addition to artwork by Joe Jack and Martina Wilson. Also in Duncan, the Judy Hill Gallery carries works by over a hundred First Nations artists. Kwakiutl Art of the Copper Maker Gallery in Port Hardy features a beautiful space where visitors can watch artists at work as well as purchase traditional works by fine First Nations artists.
VANCOUVER ISLAND KEEPSAKES
Through souvenir shops and gift boutiques an eclectic array of merchandise is offered. But there are a few items that typify Vancouver Island specifically. Look for locally crafted jewellery, BC jade jewellery and sculptures, handmade pottery and jewellery made from sea glass (polished glass that washes up on beaches). Boutiques offering wares from independent designers flourish here, especially in Victoria on Lower Johnson. Smoking Lily, among others, is known for its original creations.
Along with attracting creative folk, Vancouver Island draws spiritual types as reflected in shops that specialize in new-age products, crystals and yoga paraphernalia. From old souls to old furniture, antiques are something to look for as well. Fort Street in Victoria is also known as Antique Row for its abundance of auction houses and shops. Or check out the antique malls of Chemainus, such as the Willow Street Antique Mall.
Like other places in Canada, book stores struggle to exist on Vancouver Island but Munro's Books in Victoria is winning the battle having been in operation since 1963. Or visit Sidney with more second-hand bookstores per capita than anywhere else in Canada.
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