Maple's guide to all things vintage in Canada's jewel on the pacific.
Canada's pacific playground continues to get voted as on of the most livable cities in the world, and it's easy to see why! A plentiful mixture of stunning nature and laidback city-life blends seamlessly into one, creating what we know today as modern Vancouver.
Located on the Burrard peninsula, Vancouver is surrounded by some of the very best spots nature can offer. Whatever the season, Vancouver offers something for all. Think Grouse mountain to the North, Vancouver Island to the West and even the harbour right in the heart of the action. Heck, Seattle is only a 3-hour drive South. If you want to ski, go whale-watching or kayak the Seawall, you name it, Vancouver probably has it.
For fans of streetwear/technical apparel, it will of little surprise to know that Vancouver is home to Arc'teryx, which makes sense considering all of the nature on their doorstep (as a bonus tip be sure to check out the Arc'teryx outlet in North Van. It's well worth a visit if you're a fan of the brand.)
Even with all the nature stealing the show in Vancouver, that is not to say the fun stops there. The city itself has a booming culinary scene, with endless waterfront cafés, buzzing night markets and quirky East Van breweries. Mixed amongst these diverse neighbourhoods you can find third wave coffee shops, eccentric boutiques and of course the old faithful: vintage shops.
Vancouver can hold its own when it comes to vintage, with a bunch of heavyweights placed throughout the city, all well worth a visit. From Gastown to Mount Pleasant, each area serves up its own unique assortment of vintage spots.
Should you ever be lucky enough to visit the Wet Coast (be sure to bring an umbrella) you might be wondering where to start when it comes to vintage shopping. Lucky for you the team at Maple have picked out their favourite's, from the many good times spent over in BC.
Anyway, we don't want to bore you anymore. Read on below to see the best vintage stores in Vancouver, as chosen by the team at Maple.
Gastown/Chinatown
Kool Thing Vintage
433 Columbia St, Vancouver
Kicking things off in the heart of Chinatown. Tucked around the corner from the craziness of Hastings Street (which is an experience in itself), Kool Thing Vintage starts off as our first vintage selection for Vancouver.
The compact store packs a punch with its curated selection across two floors. Expect an eclectic mixture of categories on offer, including a full range of unisex clothing, accessories and trinkets. The basement is a nice surprise, packed full of vintage tees, sweatshirts and caps.
The Basement @ Kool Thing Vintage
Gore Street Vintage
298 E Georgia St, Vancouver
On the fringes of Chinatown you'll find Gore Street Vintage, which is 100% worth a visit if you're cruising through the neighbourhood. Gore Street brings together multiple vintage sellers all under one roof, each with their own unique style and curation.
Inside the lofty store, guests can enjoy two floors of vintage goodness from numerous Vancouver based sellers. We spent a good few hours digging through all of the rails, coming out with a stack of items. If you're keen to sell or trade in some items, Gore Street also does buy-outs.
Gore Street Vintage on the edge of Chinatown
Far Out Vintage
165 E Cordova St, Vancouver
A diamond amongst the rough (another Hastings Street joke), tucked on the edge of Gastown, Far Out Vintage feels like stepping into you coolest friends apartment. The bright and airy space is perfectly fitted with quirky interior and unique one-off pieces.
Despite the stores small interior, the curation is well thought out and organised, making for a fun vintage experience. If you're looking for a truly unique piece of vintage, we recommend checking the store out.
A view from the window @ Far Out Vintage
Mount Pleasant
Mintage Mall
245 E Broadway, Vancouver
In the heart of Mount Pleasant, Mintage Mall serves up an awesome vintage experience all under one roof. Like a mini maze, expect to get lost amongst the various vintage sellers and pop ups, as you move from room to room.
With each seller bringing their unique style to their designated space, it feels refreshing and exciting to see what each room offers. We're big fans of the collaborative approach, where multiple sellers can co-exist under one roof. If you have a few hours to spare, give it a spin!
Entrance to Mintage Mall in Mount Pleasant
Rewind Resale
2331 Main St, Vancouver
Located right in the mix on Main Street, Rewind Resale places a heavy focus on Y2k, branded vintage, skate and streetwear. With these styles not in abundance in the surrounding shops of Mount Pleasant, RR has created a strong following in the area, with a loyal following.
For an added bonus, the store offers clothing on consignment. So if you're looking to get clear out the wardrobe, get some quick cash or even do some trades, RR has you covered.
Rewind Resale
F as in Frank/The Rag Machine
2425 Main St, Vancouver
Co-owner Drew Heifetz is well known in the vintage scene, with a few decades of experience. With over twenty years of skin in the game, Drew and his brother Jesse opened "F as in Frank" on Main Street way back around 2010. Skip forward to present time, the store has now become a staple of the Vancouver vintage scene.
The store itself offers a solid range of vintage in a light and airy space, with plenty of room to shop. As an added bonus, customers can head through the back door to visit The Rag Machine for vintage clothing at heavily discounted prices. You can dig for items in the bins and rails. If you're lucky enough to find something, it'll be at a very affordable price.
Store Sign outside F as in Frank
Little Italy
Mintage (Little Italy)
1008 Robson St, Vancouver
In the heart of Little Italy on Commercial Drive, you'll find the perfect shop to get your vintage fix. Mintage is a treasure trove of vintage goods, with an eclectic mixture of clothes, accessories and nicknacks.
The store's fun decor and interior design makes for an exciting experience. The stores' deceptively large interior meant we spent many the hour sifting through the rails and finding something intriguing around the next corner. Any trip to Little Italy, should not be without a visit to Mintage.
Vintage Tees Galore @ Mintage
The Only Vintage
1616 Commercial Dr, Vancouver
Another store in the heart of Little Italy on Commercial Drive, The Only Vintage is a fan favourite amongst the locals. The Only offers up an impressive curated selection for both men and women, inside a lofty industrial interior.
The stores aesthetic runs in perfect cohesion with the organised curation of vintage on the rails and tables. From the lofty ceiling, to the small touches dotted around the store, you can definitely tell every minute detail has been considered. And what is the result? One of East Vancouver's best vintage shops.
The lofty interior of The Only Vintage
The Front Supply Co
1641 Venables St, Vancouver, BC V5L 2H1, Canada
At the top end of Little Italy on Venables Street, The Front Supply Co offers up one of the best offerings when it comes to vintage sportswear and American nostalgia from the 80s/90s. The store is packed with vintage memorabilia and collectables alongside local brands and trading cards.
The store, which is run collectively by a group of friends, brings together multiple projects under one roof. From the event space in the back to the one-off pieces dotted around the shop, The Front Supply Co offers more than just vintage clothing. Even if the store was judged on the vintage alone, it would hold up as one of the best in East Vancouver.
An abundance of sports memorabilia inside The Front Supply Co
Honourable Mentions
Community Thrift & Vintage (11 W Hastings St, Vancouver)
In the heart of Gastown, find great vintage whilst supporting a good cause. This social enterprise showcases a well curated selection of clothing at very affordable price-points.
Vancouver Flea Market (703 Terminal Ave, Vancouver)
Hundreds of vendors all under one roof, Vancouver's premier flea market has something for everyone. Expect to find a little bit of everything.
Mintage Cafe (1008 Robson St, Vancouver)
A premier vintage destination in the heart of Vancouver's CBD. Expect to find amazing vintage pieces but be prepared to pay a premium.
The Eastside Flea (1101 Union St, Vancouver)
A extremely popular flea market which comes alive on the weekends. Vendors from all over the city come together for Eastside Flea to put on a pretty special event. Be sure to check the website to confirm opening times.
Conclusion
We've made it to the end of our vintage travel guide to Vancouver. If you've made it this far, thanks for checking it out. We hope it helps out, should you end up in Canada's pacific playground.
If you're interested in seeing our top vintage tips for other cities, why not check out our vintage guides to Montréal or Toronto.
If you would like us to cover a particular city, let us know!