We’ve all been there - it’s 5:37 pm, the shops close at 6:00 pm, and you're desperate to make it to a party across town by 7:00 pm. You promised yourself you wouldn’t do this again, yet here you are: the last-minute shopper. Don’t fret! This last-minute gift guide will take you through some of the essential Gastown shops to hit – you're sure to find a gift they love. Best of luck!
Gift shopping is easy at this Gastown boutique, where flirty party dresses share the racks with cozy sweaters and feminine lingerie. Owner Nicole Dennis Durnin has pulled together a beautifully curated selection of apparel, accessories, skincare and beauty products from emerging designers and international labels. It’s worth stopping in just to see the impressive cylindrical fitting room built with 6,000 paperback books. Our fave gift-giving picks include the versatile Nomadix yoga towel (an absorbent, quick-drying towel that’s a must-have accessory Vancouver babes), gemstone earrings and rings from local jewellery designer Leah Alexandra, and aromatic neighbourhood-inspired candles by Vancouver Candle Co.
One of the best boutiques Gastown has to offer, Nouvelle Nouvelle stocks basics for both women and men, with plenty of unisex items in between, and at price points stretching from “Thank god I found $10 in my coat pocket” to “BFF’s engagement gift”. Think modern clothing, staple accessories, local jewellery, stocking-stuffer sized bath and beauty products, and the cutest collection of cards in the ’hood.
Old Faithful Shop specializes in “Quality Goods for Simple Everyday Living”, and they deliver on this promise in spades. Perfect for the burgeoning chef or Pinterest-obsessed friend, the Kinfolk-worthy showroom stocks everything from simple Chemex coffee urns to polished marble cutting boards. Imagine walnut wood, thick knit wool, balsam fir incense sticks, and artisanal cocktail bitters and you’ve got OFS in mind.
For the perfect “petite morceau” gift, amble over to Cadeaux Bakery. Simply standing inside is a treat, with the air always tinged with confectioner’s sugar, notes of dark chocolate, cinnamon, apple…I could go on! Though everything behind the gleaming glass cases is delicious, if it’s your first time, you can’t go wrong with a classic chocolate croissant (one for them and one for you).
Bringing this shopping odyssey to a close is Gastown staple Army & Navy. You can easily find a wide array of affordable gifts here, for kids, her and him. This is also a great spot to wrap it all up – literally – with all the gift-wrap, bags, birthday candles, tape and more of those last-minute gift-giving necessities that may slip your mind.