Gastown

Gastown

Gastown is located north of Harbor Tower, a landmark for sightseeing, or next to Water Front station and you can find out it by a pub, called Steamworks Brewing co, on your right hand. You can go to Gastown past that pub.





Once upon a time, the name, Gastown, was originally derived from Captain John, Gassy Jack. He first opened a saloon for several days and then served drinks to worker. In 1886, since almost all of the buildings burned down, it was renamed to Gastown while it was rebuilt.

Anyway, as soon as you go through its district, you will see many stores on either side of Water Street. I had heard Gastown is famous for clothing before I went there. However, if you’re in Gastown, you will identify many souvenir stores rather than clothing. So, if you’re interested about Canadian souvenirs, I hope you’d better go to Gastown. I think buying some souvenir is also one kind of shopping. Those stores displayed everything from carved logs to tradition clothing.

Here is another tip while you are shopping this month. It’s high time that thousands of people descended on the open-air-stages of The Vancouver International Jazz Festival in Gastown. The festival is one of the most recognized Jazz festivals in the world. It started June 27th and 28th, this year. Usually, that festival operates at the end of June of every year and is not for profit. A main aim of the festival encourages you to enjoy jazz and other activities. When I went there, two big stages were established between three blocks on Water Street.

I would like to recommend a stage, in front of the statue of Gassy Jack at the Maple tree, among them, because that stage was more exotic, more bigger, enclosed beautiful restaurants. Indeed, a huge round space, ahead of the stage, supplied your musical demand. I could listen to all kinds of music, blues, and funk, electronic and so on, in the sunshine. As the music filled the air I thought for a while.

By the time I updated this information about jazz town; you might go to Gastown and enjoyed it. I hope that you had felt less stressed out.

Canadian Tire and Best Buy

Canadian Tire and Best Buy

Canadian Tire and Best Buy

I think all of you wish to buy things like i-Pods, notebooks, or tools. Indeed, these days are summer sale season, right? However, some pitiable students, who don’t know their way around, exist in Vancouver. I don’t know why. You may a freshman in Vancouver. And what is worse, you may not more familiar with getting around in Greater Vancouver. So, you also try want one-stop shopping whenever you take a bus, right? I can guide and introduce you the best suitable stores.

Here are both Canadian Tire and Best Buy on Cambie. Those stores are located at 2220 Cambie. First, you find the intersection of Robson and Burrard, and take the 15, south. Otherwise, you can take Skytrain on Burrard Station and leave on Stadium, and go to Cambie, and take the 15. Personally, I don’t want to recommend take a Skytain, if you stand on Burrard. It’s easy, isn’t it? It takes almost twenty minutes. You can see those buildings on your left hand side. Got it? These buildings are the nearest to downtown. If you don’t understand those directions in spite of my explanation, Hail a taxi and say, “best buy on Cambie” I don’t know how much money you have to pay. It’s entirely up to you. If you commit this memory, you will never be forget. Canadian Tire is also located next to Best Buy. Let’s go!!

Canadian Tire

This popular store has been operating with ten stores in Greater Vancouver. Canadian Tire displays everything from outdoor living (BBQs, fertilizers, patio furniture..), auto (GPS, car washings, car audio…), sport & REC (sleeping bags, ice hockey equipment, Fishing equipment..), tools (air tools, hand tools, compressors, …), to electronics (DVD player, phones, batteries, …). If you are a beginner in fishing, you can buy even fishing equipment at lower prices than expected.

For more information: canadiantire.ca

And you can order your stuff to be deliver at home. Here is the thing. You have to pay extra. “That’s terrible” Canadian Tire’s web site shows us at least $20 in delivery fees. However, you may pay over $40, if it’s only a barbecue. Watch out!!! (but, you can negotiate the delivery price)

Best Buy

Best buy is popular for electronic stuff, such as TV& video (satellite devices, video accessories…), audio (MP3 player, home theatre, turntables…), computers (laptops, networking, monitor…), video games (console, game accessories..), and cell phones. You can also test each demo comfortably. It seems an exhibition for many buyers in business. There was a big box as well as diverse electronic products. When I entered, I felt that it was hard to understand the explanation of the clerk, as if he seemed wound like a watch, speaking non-stop. Moreover, the electronic terms were pretty professional, like “14mm-42mm lens”, “backlit display”, things like that. So, you might not understand what his point is. the clerk could make you buy a product, though you don’t understand his huge explanation. If you select one, “You should also buy additional accessories, like computer case, mouse, and so on” clerk will say. You will see many signs many times while shopping, “buy one, get 50% off”. That means the store encourages you to get unnecessary stuff, right?

For more information: bestbuy.ca

Anyway, they explain a lot. That is also their duty to sell products.


These days, many of the latest products are released; I know your heart is beating harder beat up, more and more. However, I recommend buying stuff in the US. You will have an occasion to go to the US. By the time you go to America, it will be beneficial for you to buy there. And then you should throw its cover case away in order to fool the border guard. In addition, they are very impolite. Because, the budget which you can spend is limited on the road, not by car.

IKEA IN Vancouver

IKEA

In the past, you have experienced buying a lot of stuff, like furniture, cups, spoons, chopsticks, desks, and so on, when you moved out from your homestay. You could never sleep in an empty room without a blanket, right? Of course, the some cases happen to take over all stuff from a former tenant. That case is so in doubt you feel since the stuff may not be safe. I know you want to buy products at a lower price, because you are an ESL student. OK!! I can help you not to dream a nightmare any more.




WHERE IS IT?? AND HOW TO DO I GET THERE??

COQUITLAM'S MAP


RICHMOND'S MAP




There are two in Greater Vancouver.
One is in Coquitlam and one is in Richmond.

In case of IKEA in Coquitlam, how do I get there? First, you should take a Skytrain via the Expo line, and transfer on Broadway to the Millennium line, and get off at Braid Skytrain and get the 169, next to Skytrain. Otherwise you can take a bus. However, it must be confusing and transfer to a bus many times. So, you’d better take a Skytrain.



In case of IKEA in Richmond. You should take the 98 B-line, south, on Burrard Station and transfer the 407 at Capstan Way. The Next, you should get off on Sweden Way. You can see IKEA ahead of you. It might take forty minutes. Don’t think about walking. It is impossible and there was no Skytrain. However, it will be opened in upcoming September.

A GROUP OF CHILDREN'S FURNITURE

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM AND MY ADVICE

There are two stores in Greater Vancouver. However, I would recommend IKEA in Richmond rather than one in Coquitlam. I went to both stores. In my experiment, the store in Richmond is better than the other. Why? Two reasons: IKEA in Richmond is closer to downtown and has more goods in stock than the other, while it’s the same shape, market’s size (only matters if you live downtown, it’s different if you live in downtown or elsewhere like Metrotown). However, IKEA in Coquitlam is more automatic, clearer, calmer, while the amount of stock are less than IKEA in Richmond.

Before you go there, you should first check out the amount of stock on the internet. And select it better, closer to your house. Indeed, you should think of a substitute, if it happens to be sold out. So, Pre-plan your trip!! Because buying furniture is a kind of competition.

Make your dream room a reality

STRUCTURE

Its passage was like a maze. You should first go upstairs and start on the second floor. The exit is situated on the first floor. It means that if you start on second floor, You will go through everything. It’s kind of a strategy of making you buy you unnecessary stuff, like spending psychology. The further you go, the cheaper, the merchandise displayed. I think it means that you can buy it without a heavy burden in mind; this is the lowest price’s merchandise.

Pacific Center

Pacific Center

This is information for English as Second Language (ESL) students in Vancouver like how to get there, upcoming sales and which stores are popular. In other words, I focus on the best shopping in downtown, because you’d better shop Pacific Center rather than Sears in downtown.




WHERE IS IT LOCATED?

Pacific Center, literally, is located in the center of Vancouver. Specifically, it is situated right across the street from TD Bank on West Georgia. I will introduce Pacific Center if you are a freshman in Vancouver. You first should know the intersection of Robson and Burrard, go east by Vancouver art gallery, and turn left one block. You will find it. Otherwise, you can take the 5 on Robson and get off on Chapters and turn left one block more. You can’t miss it.

Map

HOW MANY STORES IS IT IN? WHICH STORE IS POPULAR?

When I count how many stores are operating right away, it is close to a hundred stores, except for the food court. There are so many stores. There were very casual stores as well as stores popular worldwide, such as Hugo Boss, Ermenegildo Zegna. Many stores are very diverse for income levels and ages. So, everybody can shop there. Anyway, I would like to propose American Eagle, H&M, Hollister, and so on, since ESL students studying here are in their 20s or in early of 30s. If you afford more expensive clothing, I will recommend Club Monaco. These days, they are having a summer sale. So, you should hurry up before it’s over.

indoors

STRUCTURE & MY ADVICE

Hm.. Two buildings are linked through a passage. If you ask “Which floor is H&M located in?” to someone in Pacific Center. The answer would make you confused, because those buildings are built on an inclined foundation. This mall is mostly underground and partly above ground. It’s also sits astride West Hasting

BC’s Largest Mall – Metrotown Mall

This is the hugest shopping mall in Vancouver or BC. It has 450 stores inside. Metrotown provides customers with everything they could ever need or want. Instead of going downtown, I would go there if I cannot get something I need. It has five big superstores; T&T for Asians, Real Canadian Superstore, Sears, Zellers, and The Bay. I can get things cheaper when I go to these stores.




Location

- 4700 Kingsway, Burnaby
- Take the Skytrain 25~30 min from downtown





About Metrotown

The best thing about Metrotown Mall is that you can access everything under one roof, without having to go out in the rain. You can enjoy shopping in any weather inside and easily find your way inside the mall. When I got lost at Metrotown once, I could easily find my way by looking for Customer Service located inside the mall. If you also get lost you should search for an information sign. It will help you to find your way easily; it has good information system for customers. On the other hand, you should be careful about that theft is common in Metrotown. So keep an eye on your stuff with many friends.





Don’t worry about anything

You don’t need your lunch box at Metrotown. It’s full of variety. You can enjoy shopping, eating, and watching a movie there. In my case, when I go there, I always go to the food court, and Zara. Their food court has over 10 food stores, many tables, and low prices. So, if you are hungry when you enjoy shopping you can eat an inexpensive meal at Metrotown. The food court is opposite from the Skytrain station, and you will find customer information easily to get there. That is a good thing.

Their Zara is bigger than Robson Street’s Zara. If you miss nice clothes from the Robson-Zara, you will see there in the Metro-Zara, but you should quickly go there for the clothes you want, other clothes stores are also big and have many items. The Metro-Zara is near the Skytrain station.

Last time, I bought a Nike bag in the Metro-Nike store. The next weekend I went to Robson-Nike store to check the price, but they did not offer my bag. It was only in the Metro-Nike store. If you wanna buy a unique item you should check in the Metrotown. It is far from downtown but nice. You will never regret going there. Believe Us dude! :-)

Popular street for shopping - Robson Street

Location Robson

Street is located in the heart of Vancouver, and it is parallel to Georgia Street, and two blocks south. You can take the Sky Train to Burrard station then walk up to Robson Street.

Here is Burrard Street to Jervis.




Robson Street History

Robson Street is named after John Robson, British Columbia’s Premier from 1889-1892. Originally, Robson Street was lined with train tracks. Nowadays, it is flourishing with travelers and foreign students.

This is my favorite shopping place. Actually I don’t have a transit pass, because I’m living downtown. That’s why I like Robson. Of course, these stores perfectly provide many brands to young people: Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, Club Monaco, etc… If you come to Vancouver you should see this street for Canadian trends. Robson Street is a trend maker in Vancouver. It is a small cosmopolis of Canada. New people always come to Vancouver, and share their new trends; therefore Robson Street is the best cosmo-street in the world. You can meet Asians, Europeans, Africans, and South Americans, and then copy their new trend.

So… are you attracted to Robson St?

Robson Street has two big sales a year. One is in the summer around Canada day, the other one is Boxing-Day after Christmas (usually until New Year, but it’s fake). If you stay until the end of the year you can see crazy prices with shop-a-holics, and you also will be one. However, you should know that nice clothes may not always stay in the store until sale.

(This is Japanese convenience store. I luv Pocky.)

(This is Vancouver Art Gallery)

(Can u believe it? That is Vancouver Public Library on Robson St.)

Hey, dude. What about feeling Yaletown’s fresh air with us?

(This is Yaletown Street’s information map)

Do you know that Yaletown has shopping, too? There are expensive stores. It is in south east downtown. If you wanna go there from Burrard Station, you should take the No. 5 bus, and then get off at Granville Street. Walk south until you reach Nelson Street. At that time turn left. Go two blocks, and now you are in Yaletown. You can find it easily, because the building style seems like the Industrial Revolution. There are low brick buildings, and a different street style, Cobblestones, than other streets.

(This is Mainland St.)

Yaletown has many shops that sell clothing designed by local artists and famous restaurants where chefs cook tasteful dishes. If you go to Mainland Street, you will find that. Because the town is located in the middle of high-class residential area, it is very safe even at night. There is no need to be scared when you are walking on the street at midnight.

Did you also know that Shoppers Drug Market in Yaletown has more high quality cosmetics than other Shoppers Drug Markets in Vancouver? I am not kidding. I think they try to follow up the luxurious style in Yaletown. If you go to Yaletown’s Shoppers Drug Market, you can see expensive cosmetics and nice decorations.

Yaletown has a famous pub. Its name is Brew Pub, 1111 Mainland Street, and you can see many Canadian customers in the Brew pub. It is great place for nice view of Yaletown, awesome service, excellent food, and fresh beer. Its patio is huge. If you wanna go there for Halloween or New Year’s party, you should buy a ticket beforeha-nd. It is quickly sold out.

(This is a Yaletown’s flag)