Where To Shop In Vancouver: Welcoming And Active Kitsilano

Groups of people at Kitsilano beach in Vancouver; Destination BC (Grant Harder)

With Kitsilano Beach as its scenic anchor, Kitsilano has become well known for the vibrant and active lifestyle of its residents. Encompassing the area between Alma and Burrard Streets, and the waterfront and West 16^th Avenue, this neighbourhood offers plenty of tree-lined residential streets, a variety of laid-back eating options, as well as plenty of local and national boutiques.

Below is a guide for where to shop in Kitsilano:

West 4^th Avenue

Activity in Kitsilano is located on two key streets, the first being West 4^th Avenue, which has evolved from being a hippie hangout to a stylish, friendly area for dining and shopping. The prime area is located roughly between Burrard and Balsam Street.

Kitsilano West 4th Avenue; Destination Vancouver (Nelson Mouellic)

Residents here prioritize healthy, active lifestyles, with stores reflecting this ethos. A large lululemon is located on the corner of West 4^th Avenue and Arbutus Street. In addition, there are numerous other activewear stores, including Arc’teryx, Fjallraven, Patagonia, and Terrex by Adidas. If you’re looking for clothing and gear for snowboarding, skiing, and biking, others shops like Comor, West Coast Sports, More Bikes, The Boardroom, and Pacific Boarder, can meet your needs, as well as offer you expert guidance. Other companies cater to a range of sporting and fitness interests, like Running Room, Peak Golf, Fitness Town, Rowands Reef (scuba diving and other watersports), and Kits Inflatables (inflatable boats and accessories).

Beyond the numerous outdoor and sports-related companies, West 4^th Avenue is ideal for fashionable shopping, especially if you’re looking for more of a neighbourhood experience versus a mall. Here you’ll find popular national and international brands, such as Frank and Oak, Roots, Mavi, and Urban Outfitters, as well as local stores, such as Exposure, The Latest Scoop, and Hills Dry Goods. The street has become a destination for unique footwear, with stores such as the Australian Boot Company, Fluevog Shoes, Gravity Pope Footwear, Poppy Barley, Shoes on Fourth, and Miz Mooz calling it home.

Eyewear companies are also numerous, including Clearly, Niche Eyewear, Bailey Nelson, Ollie Quinn, Spectus Eyewear, and Warby Parker. And fashionable jewelry options can be found at shops like Melanie Auld Jewelry and Mejuri.

In addition, West 4^th boasts numerous stores that cater to lifestyle and home décor interests. Skincare and wellness companies such as Aesop, Lush Cosmetics, Saje Natural Wellness, Formula Fig, and Plain Jane Skinbar are located on the street, as well as shops like Old Faithful Shop and Ming Wo that sell household items and kitchenware respectively. Furnishing and design companies such as Wow Interiors, Bayside Furniture, and Westhill Interiors can help you transform your homes.

Plain Jane Skinbar

Finally, specialty food stores, ranging from gourmet nuts and dried fruits at Ayoub’s to high quality meats and other food items at Jackson’s Meat and Deli and Market Meats, are situated along West 4^th.

West Broadway

Photo: Kits on Broadway

Go a little further west, and you’ll find the heart of Kits on Broadway, running approximately from Arbutus to Alma Street. Interspersed between various diverse eateries, you’ll find charming boutiques for all your shopping needs. Plenty, Exposure, and Branches & Knots specialize in fashion and accessories for women, while outfits for kids and babies can be found at stores such as Active Baby, Lola Kids Clothes, and Sparkle & Junebug. And if you’re in the mood for thrifting, Turnabout Luxury Resale and the Salvation Army Thrift Store are on West Broadway.

Other popular kid-friendly companies include Kaboodles Toy Store and Kidsbooks, a beloved bookstore that sells books, games, and toys for the young and the young at heart. Places for decorating and beautifying your home range from SORT, which features books, stationary, and home goods, to Stock Home Design, which carries gifts and décor items, with a focus on local products.

Photo: Vancouver Kidsbooks

If you’re looking for artisanal and gourmet food products, West Broadway features the long-running Parthenon Market, which stocks a wide range of Greek and Mediterranean items, evidencing the area’s importance to the city’s Greek community. Other specialty food and drink stores include Bayswater Tea Company, Vancouver Olive Oil Company, and Broadway International Wine Shop. Numerous bakeries and sweets/chocolate shops are located along West Broadway, such as the world-renowned Thomas Haas, Koko Monk, Serana Greek Pastry, and Ça Croustille.

Point Grey Village

West of the Kits borders, but close by, you’ll find Point Grey Village. This charming commercial area on West 10^thAvenue between Tolmie and Discovery Street has quite a few boutiques that focus on giftware and home décor items. Gild & Co. sells furniture and accessories, Habit Trading Co. spotlights artisanal goods, and Moricotto features European home accents, including linens and pottery.

Photo: Point Grey Village Business Association

Other stores you can browse and shop at as you make your way along West 10^th include Urban Yarns for your knitting and crocheting projects; Tenth & Proper boutique for clothing and accessories; Marigold Collective for handcrafted accessories and jewelry; and Laura K Jewitt for customized jewelry pieces.

Where to Grab a Bite

There is certainly no shortage of places for food and drink in Kitsilano, whether you want a quick bite or a more elegant meal post-shopping. For an incredible view, head to The Boathouse Restaurant at Kits Beach. Meanwhile, acclaimed restaurants AnnaLena, Maenam, and Fable Kitchen showcase incredible culinary talent—all on or close to 4^th Avenue.

Photo: Fable Kitchen

For casual drinks and eats, Chewies Oyster Bar, Romer’s, Las Margaritas, and Lucky Taco are great choices. Meanwhile, Banana Leaf and East is East serve delicious cuisine, and they’re both found on West Broadway. Finally, if you want to visit a neighbourhood stalwart, The Naam Restaurant serves plant-based food with a very devoted following.

Photo: Lucky Taco

By Tara Lee
Source Inside Vancouver