29 November 2009
The Qantas Insider
Our second day exploring Vancouver was a retail experience, bookended by a great breakfast and stunning views.
The day began with a lavender latte and fresh waffle with berry compote at Medina Café (556 Beatty Street, +1 604 879 3114), which gave the legs for a retail hunt for quality local boutiques.
Our favourite finds: Block (350 West Cordova Street, +1 604 685 8885), featuring a mix of local (Dace, Mono, Sunjia Link, Lily + Jae) and international (Earnest Sewn, Michael by Michael Kors, Nudie, Seven) labels; Roden Gray (231 Cambie Street, +1 604 689 7302) for a very well-curated selection of menswear, accessories, and shaving and grooming products; and One of a Few and Two of a Few (354 and 356 Water Street, +1 604 605 0685 or +1 604 605 0630) – two extremely well-bought shops with an array of locals and internationals (Karen Walker, Won Hundred).
Of the vintage sort, we loved Woo Vintage (321 Cambie Street, +1 604 687 8200), where the clothing (starting from the 1940s, with a few pieces dating as far back to the Edwardian Period) is sorted by decade and pieces are also available to rent, and Deluxe Junk (310 Cordova Street West, +1 604 685 4871), a large collection of quality vintage consignment pieces with desirable names like Chanel, YSL and Dior.
Things rounded off with a wander in Stanley Park (really more like a large, incredible forest), with sunset views at the Teahouse (Ferguson Point, Stanley Park Drive, +1 604 669 3281).