Renovation work at the Market is in full swing!

First, to give the building a good clean, we are doing power washing and sandblasting cleaning. Then, we are painting it with a new, vibrant, and modern colour scheme inspired by food. The base building will feature a rich charcoal colour. Each of the entries and stairs will showcase a unique colour from a delicious palette inspired by fruits and vegetables; for example banana yellow and apple red. This strategy also helps with wayfinding and orientation. So that when the Market reopens in 2010, we’ll say “let’s meet at the green stair.”

In addition to painting this summer, we will also replace the metal roof and upgrade mechanical and electrical systems. These extensive upgrades will incorporate more sustainable technology and improve building performance.

Thank you for your support!
 

Downtown New Westminster - Columbia Street

Downtown New Westminster was the first commercial area of the city. Its proximity to the river and steamboats ensured a steady supply of goods and settlers. Major stores, theatres, hotels, restaurants, and even an opera house made historical downtown the place to be.

Today, Downtown is known for its wide range of shops including antique stores and wedding shops. Potential brides and grooms from all over the Lower Mainland know that Downtown New Westminster is the place to visit to create the wedding dreams are made of. Bliss Bridal, Whiteday Wedding, The Bridal Gallery and Lisa’s Bridal Salon are just a few of the dozens of bridal shops that call Columbia Street home. Yet Downtown New Westminster is much more than tulle and tuxedos.

Live entertainment is one of the features of Downtown New Westminster. Head to one of our many restaurants such as the Heritage Grill or Laguna Blue, where there are live bands that perform on a regular basis.

Downtown New Westminster is also home to a great selection of neighborhood pubs such as the Paddlewheeler Pub, which overlooks the Fraser River, and the Met Bar and Grill which is located in one of New Westminster's Historical Buildings.

If you are looking for a few laughs, try the Lafflines Comedy Club where telling jokes is their business!

If dancing is your passion, New Westminster has night clubs such as The Standard and Fever Nightclub where their various theme nights make each visit unique.
 

Antique Alley and Front Street

On the flip side of this hip new growth, New Westminster is also a hot spot for antiquing. It’s no surprise considering the city’s rich historical past. On Columbia Street you’ll find Collector’s Choice Antique Mall (659 Columbia) boasting 1500 square feet of furniture and collectibles, Scholars Quay Antiques (554 Columbia Street), Jewelled Rose Antiques (9 - 6th Street) as well as historic Copp’s Shoes (638 Columbia,) British Columbia’s oldest shoe store.

Front Street, just one block south of Columbia, has affectionately been named “Antique Alley.” Here Armstrong & Fitzgerald’s (641 Front Street) and Not Too Shabby Antiques (633 Front) find their home, among others.

Royal City Centre – Uptown New Westminster

These days Royal City Centre is the hub of the 6th & 6th neighbourhood. The mall is surrounded by many small businesses and restaurants including local favourites: Kasuga Sushi (512 Sixth Avenue,) Galloways Foods (702 Sixth Avenue) and Tamarind Hill Malaysian Cuisine (628 Sixth Avenue.) Historical treasures such as Cartwright Jewelers, Harry Minuk Shoes and the famous ‘jiffy wiffy’ Waffle House (636 Sixth Street) continue to call Uptown home. If you are a wine lover, you’ll find fellow wine aficionados further down the street at the Wine Factory (337 Sixth Street,) New Westminster's largest on premise winery, featuring Oak Barrel Aging and custom-labels on request.

Columbia Square Plaza

At the west end of Downtown, this neighborhood shopping centre fairly hums with activity – a drugstore, supermarket, specialty shops and restaurants will fill your convenience and service needs.

Royal Square Mall

A Safeway store and numerous small shops and services are the features of this Mall. Located at McBride and Eighth Avenue, its large open parking lot and proximity to major thoroughfares make it a great spot for RV ers to pick up some picnic fixings or other necessities.

Vintage Row - Twelfth Street

Antiques abound in New Westminster. In addition to Front Street, Twelfth Street also features an antique theme. More than half a dozen antique stores sell everything from high-end gloriana to historic fixtures, including one-of-a-kind period lights, turn of the century plumbing accessories, and architectural bits and pieces.

Sapperton

New Westminster’s Sapperton neighbourhood has become a shopping hot spot for gifts, interiors and kids’ essentials. It has the feel of Vancouver’s Main Street district – a mix of local designers, modern home essentials complete with an organic market, fabulous bakery, gelato shop and variety of eateries. Umai Sushi (450 East Columbia) and Gino’s (431 East Columbia) are not to be missed.
 

For help in locating a particular store or type of item, call the Travel Info Centre at 604-526-1905.