Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
West End
Not only a vibrant district of restaurants and coffee shops, the West End has more than
a few stores worth nosing around in. The majority of the most distinctive businesses are
on Davie St and are tailored toward the area's large gay community, but you can also
expect bookstores, bakeries, wine shops and just about everything else along the way.
The western end of Robson St delivers some interesting Asian stores: the perfect place
to pick up oddball Japanese candies and those essential cans of Pocari Sweat.
KONBINIYA JAPAN CENTRE
FOOD
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( www.konbiniya.com ; 1238 Robson St; 11am-1am; 5) Situated at a point on Robson St
where the generic chain stores dry up and the Asian businesses begin, this is the kind of
colorful, chaotic, even tacky store frequently seen in Tokyo's clamorous suburbs. It's
the best place in town for Pocky chocolate sticks, wasabi-flavored Kit Kats and Melty
Kiss candies, hence the homesick language students shuffling nostalgically around the
aisles.
If your accommodation is self-catering, this is a good place to pick up cheap instant
noodles and curry mixes - you can also buy some large bags of savory corn snacks for
the road.
WEST END FARMERS MARKET
MARKET
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( www.eatlocal.org ; Nelson Park, btwn Bute & Thurlow Sts; 9am-2pm Sat Jun-mid-Oct; 6)
The city's most urban alfresco farmers market is right in the heart of the West End. It
runs for several of the sunniest months of the year (but doesn't stop for rain), and it's a
great way to meet the locals. The strip of 30 or so stalls often includes baked treats, arts
and crafts, and glistening piles of freshly picked, locally grown fruit and veg. Look out
for seasonal blueberries, cherries, apricots and peaches, and expect a busker or two as
you wander around gorging on your purchases.
LITTLE SISTER'S BOOK
& ART EMPORIUM BOOKS, ACCESSORIES
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( www.littlesisters.ca ; 1238 Davie St; 10am-11pm; 6) One of the only gay bookshops in
western Canada, Little Sister's is a large bazaar of queer-positive tomes, plus
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