Cheryl's Shopping Picks for Victoria

Whatever you're looking for, Victoria can probably offer it when it comes to shopping. Personally I do not pull in a huge salary, so my tastes in shopping are more funky and frugal than fine and frivolous.

Check out my picks for:
Books & Music, Thrift & Second Hand, One-of-a-Kind Stores, Food & Drink, Kids Stores, and Stores in the 'Burbs.

updated 31 Dec 04

Books & Music:

• A&B Sound (New; 385-1461; 641 Yates) -- huge selection with great prices on new releases; also good movie selection and audio-video equipment.

• Annabelle's Books (Used; 380-7708; 9-560 Johnson St; lower level Market Square) -- wide, well-organized selection and friendly staff who will search for your book if they don't have it! Student discount available and all book prices include tax (nice touch!)

• Crown Publications (New; 386-4636; 521 Fort) -- Government publications galore, maps, legislation, trade manuals and codes, curriculum guides, and more. Also carries a wide selection of books by BC authors.

• Lyle's Place (New/Used; 382-8422; 770 Yates) -- wide selection of used CDs, cassettes and videos; prices vary.

• Munro's Books (New; 382-2464; 1108 Government) -- beautiful store, excellent children's section and an amazing selection of remainders; while you're there, be sure to look up at the wall hangings by local artist Carol Sabiston.

• Russell Books (New/Used; 381-3939; 734 Fort) -- Two floors of books; some new (over-runs) and many used. Good selection of kids titles, art books and of course fiction. Also seasonally has a nice selection of calendars.

• Snowden's (Used; 383-8131; 619 Johnson) -- Great selection, shelves are always overflowing. The perfect place to find those classics for lit classes. Also carries used computer software (though not at great prices) and has an "adult" section (books and magazines).

Thrift/Second-Hand Stores

• Barclay's Exchange [2111 Douglas St.] If you are looking for tools or elelctronics, this is a great place to check; essentially it's a pawn shop, but the prices are reasonable and the turnover is high.

• Island Second Hand [50 Burnside Rd. W] Furniture of every variety can be found here along with housewares, a few tools, toys, books, and other stuff. Right next door to a Salvation Army Thrift Store, and not far from downtown.

• Revive! [1088a Fort St., near Cook St.] Kitchenware from Past to Present Whether you're looking for that Tupperware your Mom had, or that odd plate missing from grandma's wedding pattern, this may well be the place to search. The store is overflowing with chrome, melamine, and great gadgets of yesteryear.

• Salvation Army Thrift Store [downtown store: Yates St. at Wharf St.] a small selection but great bargains, especially housewares and clothing. [The stores in the 'burbs have better selections; nearest one is at 50 Burnside Rd W., next to Island Second Hand Store]

• St. Vincent De Paul's [Yates St. near Blanshard] very eclectic mix of stuff; a small store with a little bit of everything, good magazine selection.

• Value Village [Store St. near Herald] this chain is more like a department thrift store; you can find virtually anything here. They actively canvass for donations (via the Canadian Diabetes Association), so they have a high turnover and huge selection. (Higher prices than the charity stores, though.)

• WIN (Women in Need) [785 Pandora Ave., near Blanshard] proceeds go to a local women's shelter; great selection of clothing and housewares plus a separate vintage/retro section.

One-of-a-Kind Stores

• Avalon Metaphysical Centre [Market Square, lower courtyard] your occult connection. Best incense and tarot card selections in town.

• Beehive Wool Shop [1700 Douglas St at Fisgard] If you knit or crochet or just really like wool and yarn, then take a peek in this cozy store.

• Capital Iron [1900 Store St., foot of Herald] there's no store like it. This place has everything -- hardware, housewares, garden center, sporting goods, and the weirdest collection of odd antiques in the city.

• Fiber Options[642 Yates St., across from A&B Sound] Everything in this store is eco-friendly, made from sustainable resources. From clothes and paper to aromatherapy supplies and re-useable coffee filters is here (or shop online from the above link).

• Inside Out Home & Garden [1627 Store St. at the foot of Fisgard] wonderful change from the everyday furniture for decks and garden patios or for inside your home.

• Paboom [641 Fort St.] home accessories which are fun, artful and affordable. Best selection of candles, kitchen gadgets and photo frames.

• Smoking Lily [569a Johnson St] what's best about this store.. the fact that it is extremely tiny (I've been in bigger elevators) or the fact that the company was started and is run by two "retail-weary girls"!?? Very cool silk-screened stuff.

• Starfish Glassworks [630 Yates St] a combination studio and gallery, visitors can watch glassware being produced by one of the artists-in-residence.

• Spirit of Christmas [Corner of Government and Fort Streets] Christmas never ends in this beautiful store filled with every imaginable Christmas ornament and accessory. Great range of pewter ornaments and snowglobes.

• Zydeco [565 Johnson] Their motto is "If You Don't Need It, We Have It"; all that is tacky or seriously off the wall can be found here.. some of the best cards and T-shirts around.

Food and Drink

• The English Sweet Shoppe [738 Yates Street] importers of British candies and foods.

• The Murchie's Tea and Coffee [1110 Government Street] not only can you buy a wide variety of coffee (beans or ground) and teas (they make the Empress Afternoon Blend), but also heavenly baked goods, spices, and fine china plus other tea and coffee accessories.

• Roger's Chocolates [913 Government St.] If you love chocolate, do not leave Victoria without some famous Roger's creams. My favourite are maple-walnut. Heck, you can even order from their website!

For Kids

• Curious Comics [631 Johnson St.] not just comics, but games, toy tie-ins, and a great selection of anime,too.

• EB Games [109-1120 Douglas St: Bay Centre, lower level] electronic games for every platform; new and pre-owned.

• Foxglove Toys [Market Square] traditional toy store: kites, wood toys, puppets and more.

• Interactivity Games & Stuff [667 Fort St. across from Bay Centre] puzzles, games and other gizmos; great for older kids and teens.

• Kaboodles Toy Store [1320 Government St.] "For Kids and Silly Adults" -- high end toy store; carries Groovy Girls, Brio, Playmobil, and more.

• Scallywags [624 Fort St: Bay Centre, outside] unique clothes, puppets and other toys for younger children.

• Schoolhouse Teaching Supplies [2014 Douglas St.] Educational toys and supplies; great selection of board games, feltboards and creative play supplies.

In the 'Burbs

These stores are outside the downtown core but worth a look...

• Beads and Wire [103-300 Gorge Rd West] beading supplies and classes.

• Bolen Books [595-4232; in Hillside Mall] -- an excellent selection of titles, extensive computing section; will special order any book or hold copies of new releases. Open until 10 p.m. every night.

• Bring and Buy Books [1241 Esquimalt Rd.] great selection of fiction, kids books, and movies, too (plus the owners are very friendly,nice peole!)

• Curious Comics [1581 Hillside Ave, across from Hillside Mall] comics, games, collectible toys, and anime.

updated 31 Dec 04

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