Vancouver’s Not-so-Secret Neighbourhood Shops Part II
The Found The Freed is is tucked into a residential area on Victoria Drive
They’re tucked beside small walk-up apartments. Some are located on corners. Others are on busy through streets. Corner stores and neighbourhood shops are everywhere in Vancouver.
Last year I blogged about some of Vancouver’s best, tucked away shops and markets. The sweet little corner stores that reflect an ethos of days gone by – markets that sell fresh food, fashions and gifts. Where shop owners live in the neighbourhood they operate in, know customers’ names and goods are not mass-produced.
From found industrial antiques in East Vancouver to latte and bike mechanic cafe in the Cityhall hood, Vancouver has a range of sweet stops for folks looking to caffeinate, collect antiques, go sailing or stock up on whimsical kitchenware.
Get your gears cranked and your espresso pulled at Tandem Bike Cafe
Located on Heather and 16th the Tandem Bike Cafe is half cafe and half bike repair shop. Owners Clint and Brett offer great service and selection when it comes to bike parts and repairs, espresso drinks and sandwiches. Serving up nibbles like the Adanac Breakfast Wrap (named after the popular Vancouver bike route) or the Single Speed Salami, Brett handles the food side of the business. Clint fixes all kinds of bikes and even strollers. Finally, a place where you can sip a freshly pulled Americano, while having your squeaky gears doctored up. Tandem Bike Cafe: http://www.tandembikecafe.com, 3195 Heather Street.
Vintage is the theme at Victoria Drive’s The Found The Freed
Ecclectic decor like a taxidermy fox head, Edison light bulbs and old school globes populate The Found The Freed, a heritage goodies store located in Grandview Woodland. Owners Ainslie and Lindsey travel across B.C. and the USA, hunting for unique antiques and nostalgic items that have certain design qualities. Interior designers, artists and merchandisers are all known to poke about The Found The Freed. This summer’s hot seller: the vintage black and white Vancouver bus destination posters. The Found The Freed: http://thefoundandthefreed.com, 706 Victoria Drive.
Production Road’s Nicola Street storefront glows warm on a summer night.
Nuzzled in the nucleus of the West End is Production Road Studio, a sweet little gift shop run by photographer Hubert Kang and Annie Chen. Next to the brand new West-of-Burrad hipster hotspot, the Greenhorn Cafe, Production Road is chock full of stationary, Chen’s Lemonni graphic art bags/aprons/towels and ever-popular succulents. Since August 1, Production Road has housed a pop-up shop for textile and clothing designer Forest Waves, artisan tea maker Oollo Tea and Livia Sweets handmade ice cream sandwiches. Dubbed the West End General Store the pop-up continues until September 14. Production Road: http://www.productionroad.ca, 990 Nicola Street.
A mini deck outside A’hoy Goods in Deep Cove.
A’hoy and Room6 are two cool sides to the same awesome coin. Located in the misty middle of the North Shore Mountains and Deep Cove, the two Gallant Avenue shops are run by a husband/wife duo Rich and Megan Curren and friends. A’hoy is more of a department story style of shop, carrying it’s own in house line of A’hoy branded tees, hoodies and candles not to mention Pendleton towels, Native shoes (for the whole family) and Herschel bags. Room6 is the feminine compliment to A’hoy carrying gifts and female ephemera including: Meliferra Bees infused honeys, Filou jewellery and Rifle Paper Co. stationary and cards. A’hoy: http://ahoygoods.com, 4391 Gallant Avenue, North Vancouver. Room 6: http://room6.com, 4389 Gallant Avenue.
Do you have a not-so-secret neighbourhood shop you love to frequent? Share a little bit about it in the comments section below.
Article source: http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2014/08/30/not-so-secret-neighbourhood-shops-part-ii/
