We asked. Where readers voted. Here are your top spots to shop

By Jennifer Patterson

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES
Antique Warehouse
226 S.W. Marine Dr. 604-324-3661.
Find lovely French, Belgian and English period pieces at Antique Warehouse. The owners make regular trips to Europe and carefully select and inspect each piece before bringing it back to Vancouver. With over 1,100 sq m (12,000 sq ft) of space, the store has something for everyone.
Honourable Mentions
Second Time Around Antiques;
Vancouver Architectural Antiques.

ATHLETIC SPORTING GOODS
SportChek
Pacific Centre, 700 W. Georgia St. 604-687-7668.
Canada’s largest sporting goods store has departments dedicated to biking, hiking, golf and more. Test out brands such as Nike, North Face and Columbia before getting properly outfitted for an outdoor adventure—a must on the West Coast.
Honourable Mentions
Mountain Equipment Co-op;
Atmosphere.

Kid-friendly Chapters

BOOKS
Chapters
788 Robson St. 604-682-4066.
Gardening, homeopathy, travel, teen fiction, cooking—you name it, Chapters probably has it. This massive chain offers a huge selection of books, magazines, gift items, calendars and music. Purchase a new read, then enjoy a cuppa joe in the adjoining Starbucks.
Honourable Mentions
Book Warehouse;
Thompson Rare Books.

CHILDREN’S APPAREL
GapKids
1121 Robson St. 604-683-0906.
Big-name designer Stella McCartney has already created two GapKids collections, adding a too-cool-for-school factor to the shop already popular for classic kids’ clothes. Cute corduroys and summer dresses are perfect for a picnic or a day at the beach.
Honourable Mentions
Please Mum;
The Children’s Place.

CHINA & CRYSTAL
Atkinson’s
1501 W. 6th Ave. 604-736-3378.
Posh tableware, linens, crystal decor, high-end fragrances and pottery line the shelves in this chic shop located in the South Granville neighbourhood. The timeless Waterford crystal champagne flutes and delicate Fabergé eggs are great for gifting.
Honourable Mentions
Birks;
Herzog.

CHOCOLATE
Purdy’s Chocolates
Pacific Centre, 700 W. Georgia St. 604-683-3467.
This Vancouver company has been making tasty treats since 1907. The store is famous for its hazelnut truffle-filled hedgehogs and Sweet Georgia Browns and offers souvenir-worthy boxes of goodies.
Honourable Mentions
Daniel Le Chocolat Belge;
Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie.

DEPARTMENT STORE
The Bay
674 Granville St. at Georgia. 604-681-6211.
The Hudson’s Bay Company, or The Bay, as it’s more commonly known, is the world’s oldest continuously operating trading company. What started as a fur trading and blanket-making operation is now a department store chain located throughout Canada. Housewares, cosmetics, designer fashions and footwear fill the spacious, multi-level location in the city centre.
Honourable Mentions
Sears;
Holt Renfrew.

Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery

EYEWEAR
LensCrafters
Oakridge Centre, 650 W. 41st Ave. 604-263-2485.
This chain stocks a huge selection of prescription sunglasses and eyeglasses for men, women and children. Drop by for an eye exam, then choose a new spiffy pair of frames based on your face shape.
Honourable Mentions
Sunglass Hut;
Eyes on Burrard.

FINE ART
Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery
1024 Mainland St. 604-685-9298.
With two gallery locations—one in Yaletown, the other in Gastown—there’s plenty of space to show off the museum-quality artwork and jewellery by Northwest Coast First Nations artists. Ceremonial masks, hand-carved totem poles and argillite boxes make up just part of the collection. Find pieces from Maori and Inuit artists, too.
Honourable Mentions
Heffel;
Art Works Gallery.

FOOTWEAR
Aldo
1025 Robson St. 604-683-2443.
Founded in Montreal in 1972, Aldo has grown into an internationally recognized brand. There’s footwear for everyone in these bustling shops: ballet flats, sky-high heels, loafers, waterproof boots, flip-flops and more. Each store carries an assortment of trendy bags and jewellery—a new foray for this ever-growing Canadian company.
Honourable Mentions
Browns/B2;
Freedman Shoes.

JEWELLERY & WATCHES
Birks
698 W. Hastings St. 604-669-3333.
Founded in 1879, this Canadian jeweller and watchmaker stocks covetable accessories. The display cases are filled with diamond-encrusted watches and other finery, while the upstairs is stocked with deluxe items for the home. Splurge on gold and rubies at the Van Cleef and Arpels counter.
Honourable Mentions
Tiffany & Co.;
Blue Ruby.

LADIES’ APPAREL
Wear Else
2360 W. 4th Ave. 604-732-3521.
This local boutique chain carries well-edited, high-end clothing, accessories and footwear. A Vancouver fashion institution, it features a range of labels: Badgley Mischka, Cole Haan, Longchamp, Theory, True Religion, Kate Spade and Pink Tartan—a Canadian fave. The staff is happy to help with your hunt for the perfect black dress or summer sandals.
Honourable Mentions
Banana Republic;
Aritzia.

Pacific Centre's main entrance

LINGERIE
La Senza
1143 Robson St. 604-685-4201.
Canada’s answer to Victoria’s Secret carries everything from sassy leopard-print negligees to cute ruffled bras and undies.
Honourable Mentions
La Vie En Rose;
Dianes Lingerie.

MEN’S APPAREL
Harry Rosen
Pacific Centre, 700 W. Georgia St. 604-683-6861.
Style-savvy men have been heading to Harry Rosen since 1951 for custom-made suits, classic casual wear and colourful ties.
Honourable Mentions
Banana Republic;
Staccato.

SHOPPING CENTRE
Pacific Centre
700 W. Georgia St. at Howe. 604-688-7235.
Fashion-forward shoppers flock to Pacific Centre in downtown Vancouver to stores such as Sephora, Aritzia, H&M, the Apple Store, Holt Renfrew and Club Monaco. It also offers direct access to SkyTrain lines.
Honourable Mentions
Metropolis at Metrotown;
Park Royal.

SPAS & SALONS
Absolute Spa
1015 Burrard St. 604-684-2772.
A perennial winner, Absolute Spa continues to charm locals and visitors alike at its 10 citywide locations. Relax with a peppermint body wrap or indulge in the Absolute Diamond facial. A hot spot for celebrities—Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Affleck and Will Ferrell are former clients—this chain also boasts a male-oriented spa in The Hotel Vancouver. Yes, women are still more than welcome.
Honourable Mentions
Spa Utopia;
Vida Spa.

To vote for next year’s winners, please click here.