|
|
WHERE TO SHOP Consumer Awards
ANTIQUES
Two antiques houses tied for presenting a fresh take on aged items.
Vancouver Architectural Antiques Ltd. boasts one of the largest
collections of of restored 19th- and 20th-century lighting on the West
Coast. Three Centuries Antiques houses owner and “serious
collector” William MacKinnon’s love: late-18th- and early-19th-century
French furniture and decorative arts—and the occasional eye-catching
piece from a different period.
2nd Antique Warehouse.
3rd Maynards.
JEWELLERY
Founded in 1879, Birks shares covetable characteristics with American
standby Tiffany & Co.—both offer high-end bracelets, brooches, rings,
charms and earrings—but honours its Canadian roots. Many of the diamonds
are sourced from the great white north.
2nd Tiffany & Co.
3rd Montecristo Jewellers.
CHINA & CRYSTAL
The glitterati get their glitter at Swarovski. Here it’s all about bling,
bling, bling. Necklaces, earrings, pins and the famous figurines made
from Swarovski crystal beckon from glass cases.
2nd Kim-John Gifts & China.
3rd Atkinson’s.
FINE ART
Harrison Galleries
The sleek, modern interior at Harrison Galleries houses works by
regional and internationally recognized artists. The gallery sources
both traditional and contemporary paintings, so there’s no need to be an
art-history buff before stepping inside.
2nd Uno Langmann Ltd.
3rd Buschlen Mowatt Gallery.
BOOKS
The must-see shop for lovers of the written word—no matter what their
taste—is Chapters. This big-box chain has multiple levels of hundreds of
choices, from fiction and fantasy to kids’ books and magazines.
2nd Book Warehouse.
3rd Duthie Books Fourth Avenue and Blackberry Books, tied.
EYEWEAR
The huge selection at Opticana draws a variety of eyesight-challenged
visitors. They come to choose a pair of Canadian, European or
custom-made frames from the hundreds available, backed by the promise
they’ll get them for free if they fill their prescription (and buy the
lenses) in-store.
2nd Lenscrafters.
3rd Sunglass Hut.
MEN'S
Belts at Harry Rosen
Dapper men dig the range of designer menswear at Harry Rosen. Sportswear
and tailored clothing by Armani Collezioni, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace
are hits with the smart and stylish set looking for on-trend pieces.
2nd Mexx.
3rd Roots Canada.
LADIES’
Fashion fanatics know that Zara is a sure thing when searching for
straight-off-the-runway selections. The creative team in head office
interprets the trends from fashion weeks in haute cities such as New
York and Milan, then presents them in more wearable (and considerably
cheaper) versions.
2nd Holt Renfrew.
3rd Banana Republic.
CHILDREN'S
Please Mum may be what the kids are saying when they see the durable yet
fashionable—this shop prides itself on prioritizing both form and
function—pieces in stock. Each boutique-style location of this Canadian
chain carries fuss-free wear for kids from newborn to age 12.
2nd Dandelion Kids.
3rd The Children’s Place.
ATHLETIC
MEC Store
Called MEC for short, Mountain Equipment Co-op is the go-to spot for
outdoor gear from brands big on ethical and sustainable materials and
production. Globally minded nature-lovers find clothing and supplies for
cycling, hiking, camping, snowsports and watersports.
2nd Coast Mountain Sports.
3rd Lululemon Athletica.
DEPARTMENT STORES
Canadian classic
The Bay—and its famous pattern of green, red, yellow
and blue stripes—is a descendant of the original Hudson’s Bay fur
trading company founded in 1670. Today, its fashion, beauty and home
departments serve stylish baby boomers and their offspring.
2nd Sears.
3rd Winners.
FOOTWEAR
Fashion and comfort meet at
Freedman Shoes. Brands for men and women
range from BCBGirls and Calvin Klein to Michael Kors and Nine West, and
even unique feet—extra narrow or extra wide—find stylish shoes to match.
2nd Ecco.
3rd Ingledew’s.
SPAS & SALONS
It’s big. It’s beautiful. It’s bliss-inducing.
Absolute Spa has an
enormous pool, three floors and serene treatments such as the
pink-grapefruit jet-lag recovery wrap, honey-citrus squeeze massage and
gentleman’s facial.
2nd Spa Utopia & Salon.
3rd SpaEthos.
LINGERIE
The staff at Dianes Lingerie are determined to help with the
never-ending hunt for the right bra. They’re pros at measuring and
fitting. Women also find a delectable selection of panties, shapewear,
chemises and silk underwear.
2nd La Jolie Madame.
3rd Bare Basics.
CHOCOLATES
At local favourite Purdy’s Chocolates, the chocolate is from Belgium,
ginger is from Australia and cashews are from India. The end result is
straight from a chocoholic’s dream: shelves full of treats with names
such as almond burst, java jazz, Sambuca shores and sweet Georgia
browns.
2nd Rogers’ Chocolates.
3rd Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
SHOPPING CENTRES
For the serious shopper, Metropolis at
Metrotown Centre is heaven. There are
470 stores (yes, you read that correctly) in this shopping mecca in
Burnaby. It’s favoured by a slightly younger set of customers than
smaller—but more conveniently located, right downtown—co-winner Pacific
Centre, which houses classics such as Guess and Club Monaco.
2nd Park Royal.
3rd Oakridge Centre. |
|
