Historic 19th-century architecture. The stately Parliament Buildings. The iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel. Suffice it to say, Victoria’s Inner Harbour has no shortage of Old World charm. While it is easy to spend a day soaking in the majestic beauty, there is also a trendy, burgeoning shopping scene just around the corner waiting to be explored.
The best part? With more than a handful of unique boutiques within easy walking distance from each other, navigating this growing selection of independent stores requires little more than your own two feet. Get to the heart of this creative community with the help of local shopping expert and owner of That Girl in Victoria, Michele Davis, who provides the lowdown on Victoria’s shopping hot spots.
According to Davis, starting your shopping adventure with a hearty breakfast is a key part of a successful trip. A mere four-minute walk from Clipper’s Victoria terminal, Nourish Kitchen and Café is the perfect spot to grab a bite once you have arrived in the city. “They’re vegetarian and they make beautiful, nourishing meals that are not big and crazy,” Davis says.
If you’re looking for something lighter, Davis suggests making the 17-minute trek to Discovery Coffee on Blanshard Street for exceptional espresso, a spacious patio, and an array of sweet or savory pastries. Prefer tea? Wander down the block to Murchie’s Tea & Coffee to pair a hot cuppa with an amazing selection of baked goodies.
Once you’re sufficiently fueled, begin your shopping stroll with a three-minute walk down to Munro’s Books, which National Geographic named as one of the world’s top 10 bookstores in 2015. With rows upon rows of bookshelves, there is no better place to find the next book on your reading list inside this peaceful shop.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Stroll one block south on Government Street to Chocolats Favoris. The first location to open in Western Canada, the local shop has the same Willy Wonka vibe, as the original Quebec store, famous for its dipped ice cream cones.
Speaking of chocolate, Davis says Rogers’ Chocolates downtown heritage store is a must-visit for chocoholics. As Canada’s first chocolatier, they know a thing or two about crafting irresistible sweets. Sample a piece of chocolate history and bite into the shop’s most famous creation, the Victoria Cream. Featuring a thick, rich chocolate shell with a decadent, creamy center, it is a little piece of heaven.
Scamper Down Victoria’s Hidden Alleys
Continue north to Bastion Square to soak in some extra vitamin D as you peruse the square’s open-air public market. Brimming with an endless supply of fresh produce and handcrafted goods, the market brings vibrancy to the city every Thursday-Sunday from May to the end of September. Next, make your way to the edge of Trounce Alley and pop into Ecologyst for Pacific Northwest-inspired finds, such as environmentally sustainable Canadian-made clothing and outdoor accessories.
Travel a block-and-a-half further north, and you’ll intersect with Johnson Street. Hang a left and walk along the boutique fashion haven of Lower Johnson, affectionately known as LoJo to locals. Davis recommends, “If you stumble upon any little alleyways that look like you can wander down them — go, because there are lots of tiny little shops hidden up and down the streets.”
Be sure to also stop by Oscar & Libby’s, which is chock-full of quirky gifts that are perfect for that hard to buy for friend. Another one of Davis’ favorite LoJo haunts is John Fluevog Shoes, which opened its Victoria location in 2017. The store was something of a homecoming for Fluevog, who briefly partnered in a Fox & Fluevog Victoria store back in the 1970s. Since then, Fluevog has soared to international footwear stardom. “He’s become very popular with Lady Gaga, Alice Cooper, Madonna,” Davis says. “So we’re lucky to have a shop here in Victoria.”
A Bounty of Locally-Crafted Apparel
For unique threads, head across the street to pay a visit to LoJo’s the Flavour Upstairs, where you can find vintage gems at great prices. Or venture three blocks down the street to the edge of Victoria’s Chinatown neighborhood to Smoking Lily for nature-inspired garments sewn by hand at the shop’s Wharf Street studio.
All that shopping cause you to work up an appetite? Davis recommends heading around the corner for a waterfront lunch at Tug Eatery. Enjoy a happy hour snack like fish tacos or chips and guac while gazing out at kayakers gliding by — and resting your walking-weary feet.
Head south on Government Street and cap your day with dinner and drinks at Chateau Victoria’s Vista 18 Westcoast Grill & Wine Bar. Davis says, “Sit on the park side of the restaurant and soak in vistas of Craigdarroch Castle on the hill. It is absolutely stunning.”
With a rapidly growing shopping scene, Victoria is the perfect place to experience the latest fashion trends. Bring home some chic new designs and you’re sure to be the envy of all your friends.
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Contributing Author: Keith Norbury
Feature Photo: Tourism Victoria