7 Gastown shops for last-minute gifts

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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!

LYNNsteven

1
225 Carrall St, Vancouver BC V6B 2J2

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.

Novelle Novelle

2
209 Abbott St, Vancouver BC V6B 2K7

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

3
320 Cordova St W, Vancouver BC V6B 1E8

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.

Cadeaux Bakery Inc

4
172 Powell St, Vancouver BC V6A 1G1

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).

Army & Navy Department Store Ltd

5
27W Hastings St W, Vancouver BC V6B 1G5

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.

With the return of vinyl as the medium of choice for music lovers the world over, it has never been easier to find a copy of the latest must-have single, or your mom’s favourite album from when she was in high school. Shopping for vinyl in Vancouver is analogous in many ways to shopping for books; it’s a task easily completed online, but not without losing the fun of burrowing fingers into stacks and browsing for hours.
Much in the same way that movie theatres and the scent of buttery popcorn can never be separated, hot dogs have a distinctly nostalgic element. These savoury snacks bring up memories of Little League games and beans-and-weinies at home. Thankfully there are more and more places in Vancouver serving the humble hot dog in a variety of grown-up flavours and styles. [Photo © Yellow Pages / Pages Jaunes]
Locals and tourists alike love Gastown, and for good reason. This neighbourhood has the Old World charm of Montreal, and is chock full of independent retailers, bars and restaurants. Enjoying the neighbourhood can come, however, with a hefty price tag. So for those looking for a quick post-work pint, or a steal of a deal while out on pub crawl with friends, check out these Happy Hour specials! [Image courtesy of Six Acres]
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