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Five Vancouver bakeries from reviews and lists in the Georgia Straight and Daily Hive. Checked November 2026.
VANCOUVER · SHOPS
Top 5 independent shops in Vancouver
This guide covers five independent shops in Vancouver. It draws on the Georgia Straight and Vancouver Magazine. Every page cited was read on 12 November 2026.
- Number 1
Front and Company
3772 Main Street, Main Street, Vancouver
Front and Company has been a Main Street fixture for more than 30 years. Vancouver Magazine's 2026 shopping guide described it as a place to get lost in, with consignment clothing, pre-loved items, and gift goods. The Georgia Straight named it the top consignment store in its 2024 and 2025 Best of Vancouver awards.
“For more than 30 years, Front and Company has been the perfect store to get lost in, thanks to consignment clothing, pre-loved luxury items and weird and wonderful gift items.”
Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose · best-of list · September 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
“Front & Company”
Georgia Straight, Nathan Caddell · reader award · October 2, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
“Front & Company”
Georgia Straight · reader award · September 5, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- Number 2
Mintage Mall
245 East Broadway, Mount Pleasant, Vancouver
Mintage Mall is a two-storey vintage clothing collective on East Broadway. Vancouver Magazine's 2026 shopping guide described it as a space with rooms of vintage clothes and shoes. The Georgia Straight named it the top vintage store in its 2024 and 2025 Best of Vancouver awards.
“Walking into Mintage Mall feels like being transported to a world where horse girls rule: a stone staircase leads to rooms upon rooms of vintage clothes and shoes, many cowboy-adjacent.”
Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose · best-of list · September 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
“Mintage Mall”
Georgia Straight, Nathan Caddell · reader award · October 2, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
“Mintage Mall”
Georgia Straight · reader award · September 5, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
Number 3Vancouver Special
3612 Main Street, Mount Pleasant, Vancouver
Vancouver Special on Main Street sells home goods, photo books, textiles, and kitchenware. Vancouver Magazine's 2026 shopping guide called its collections exceptional. The Georgia Straight named it the top furniture and design store in its 2024 and 2025 Best of Vancouver awards.
“architecture of so many local homes, and its eclectic collections of home goods, photo books, textiles and kitchenware from brands like HAY are exceptional.”
Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose · best-of list · September 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
“Vancouver Special”
Georgia Straight, Nathan Caddell · reader award · October 2, 2025 (opens in a new tab)
“Vancouver Special”
Georgia Straight · reader award · September 5, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
Photo: Vancouver Special's website
- Number 4
Welk's General Store
3511 Main Street, Main Street, Vancouver
Welk's General Store on Main Street carries a wide range of goods, from candles and journals to pet accessories and card games. Vancouver Magazine's 2026 shopping guide included it on its bucket list. The Georgia Straight named it the top home appliance store in its 2024 Best of Vancouver awards and included it in a January 2024 guide to the city's best general stores.
“This general store really stretches the definition of 'general.' There's candy and deodorant, sure, but also pet accessories, aromatherapy, card games, shoe-cleaning kits and more glorious randomness.”
Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose · best-of list · September 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
“Welk's General Store”
Georgia Straight · reader award · September 5, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
“It's a spot for both the bougie and the unchanged hippie, where you can find high-end granola and natural body care lining the shelves.”
Georgia Straight, Kristi Alexandra · best-of list · January 8, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
Number 5Old Faithful Shop
320 West Cordova Street, Gastown, Vancouver
Old Faithful Shop in Gastown carries home goods, lighting, and gifts from makers in Scandinavia and elsewhere. Vancouver Magazine's 2026 shopping guide included it among the city's top shops. The Georgia Straight featured it in a January 2024 guide to Vancouver's best general stores.
“Warm and inviting, Old Faithful hosts an assortment of minimalist lighting and Scandinavian accessories from Denmark-based Skagerak, Ferm Living and more.”
Vancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose · best-of list · September 14, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
“Old Faithful Shop is a haven for those who appreciate the art of well made goods.”
Georgia Straight, Kristi Alexandra · best-of list · January 8, 2024 (opens in a new tab)
Photo: Old Faithful Shop's website
QUESTIONS
Questions this guide answers
What are the top independent shops in Vancouver?
This guide lists Front and Company on Main Street, Mintage Mall on East Broadway, Vancouver Special on Main Street, Welk's General Store on Main Street, and Old Faithful Shop on West Cordova Street in Gastown.
What is Front and Company in Vancouver?
Front and Company is at 3772 Main Street in Vancouver, a consignment and gift shop that has been open for more than 30 years, carrying clothing, pre-loved items, and gifts.
What is Mintage Mall in Vancouver?
Mintage Mall is at 245 East Broadway in Mount Pleasant, a two-storey vintage clothing collective and the top vintage store in the Georgia Straight's Best of Vancouver awards for 2024 and 2025.
What is Vancouver Special on Main Street?
Vancouver Special is at 3612 Main Street in Mount Pleasant, a home goods and design shop carrying photo books, textiles, kitchenware, and furniture from local and international makers.
What is Welk's General Store in Vancouver?
Welk's General Store is at 3511 Main Street in Vancouver, a general store carrying candles, journals, pet accessories, card games, and many other goods.
What is Old Faithful Shop in Vancouver?
Old Faithful Shop is at 320 West Cordova Street in Gastown, a home goods and gifts shop carrying lighting and Scandinavian accessories, with a second location at 1985 West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano.
Where are the best shops on Main Street in Vancouver?
Main Street has several shops named by the Georgia Straight and Vancouver Magazine, including Front and Company at 3772 Main Street, Vancouver Special at 3612 Main Street, and Welk's General Store at 3511 Main Street.
When was this guide checked?
Every page this guide cites was read again on 12 November 2026.
How do I report a mistake in this guide?
Use the corrections form at voche.me/report and name the place and the line that is wrong.
SOURCES
Every page this guide draws on
- Best of Vancouver award winners 2025: ShoppingGeorgia Straight, Nathan Caddell · October 2, 2025 · straight.com · read November 12, 2026
- Best of Vancouver award winners 2024: ShoppingGeorgia Straight · September 5, 2024 · straight.com · read November 12, 2026
- Vancouver's best general stores: a guideGeorgia Straight, Kristi Alexandra · January 8, 2024 · straight.com · read November 12, 2026
- 55 Vancouver Shops to Add to Your Shopping Bucket ListVancouver Magazine, Alyssa Hirose · September 14, 2026 · vanmag.com · read November 12, 2026
Found an error? Tell the editors with the corrections form. Read our standards.
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