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Arts and crafts

Gastown has some interesting galleries but the best place for art-seeking is Granville Island. Cartwright St contains some of the key galleries and Net Loft, opposite the public market, also houses many fine shops. Railspur Alley is a nucleus for small and unique artists’ studios. South Granville is the best place to pick up works by established artists.

Books

The best selection of new books can be found at Chapters, 2505 Granville St, T604- 731 7822, and the more likeable Duthie Books, 2239 W 4th Av, T604-732 5344. For second-hand books try Macleod’s Books, 455 W Pender St, T604-681 7654, and Pulp Fiction Books, 2422 Main St, T604-876 4311. The Travel Bug, 3065 W Broadway, T604- 737 1122 or Wanderlust, 1929 W 4th Av, T604-739 2182 stock travel books and accessories and Does Your Mother Know?, 2139 W 4th Av, T604-730 1110, is the place for magazines and newspapers, they carry a wide range including some internationals.

First Nations arts and crafts

The best place to start looking for native art is on Water St in Gastown.

Gifts

For touristy souvenirs head to Water St in Gastown. For more unusual ideas check out the speciality shops on 4th Av in Kitsilano.

Kids

Kidsbooks, 3038 W Broadway, T604-738 5335; The Games People, 157 Water St, T604-685 5825; It’s all Fun and Games, 1308 Commercial St, T604-253 6727; and The Toybox, 3002 W Broadway, T604-738 4322, are all shops dedicated to children.

Markets

The best place for food shopping is the Granville Island Public Market, T604-666 6477, a mouth-watering high-end food hall and produce market open daily 0900- 1900. Lonsdale Quay Market, T604-985 6261, http://www.lonsdalequay.com, where the SeaBus arrives at the North Shore, is a good second choice and is open daily 0900-1830.

Sports equipment

The biggest sports equipment shops are grouped together around W Broadway and Cambie and this is also the area for ski and snowboard shops, such as Pacific Boarder, 1793 W 4th Av, T604-734 0212. For a great selection of used equipment head for Sports Junkies, 600 W 6th Av, T604-879 0666, or Cheapskates, 3644 W 16th, T604-222 1125; and 3208, 3228 and 3496 Dunbar.

Antiques

Many antique, junk and consignment shops are clustered on stretches of South Main and South Granville. There are also many on Richards between Hastings and Pender....read more