Downtown Vancouver Shopping Success
byAs much I despise Robson Street, malls and shopping downtown in general, there comes a time when you just need a little retail therapy. That, and the fact that for some reason 3 pairs of my jeans decided to get torn all within the span of a week, lead John and I out in what little sunshine kissed the city this afternoon.
No matter how much we think we can stomach the throngs of tourists, Sunday walkers (every day of the week) and crowded sidewalks full of dilly-dalliers, we’re never strong enough to withstand Robson’s commercial splendor for more than about 30 minutes. The first stop was eBags, since getting my Macbook I still have not purchased a decent bag in which to carry it. I did get one super cheap but it’s just an over-the-shoulder style which has been causing bad posture and soreness for weeks. Of course the shoulder soreness also causes John pain since he became my masseuse Feb 25, 2006. eBags is located right next to the “House of Clogs” and across from Hon’s. They have some great deals and I found a cute little inconspicuous laptop bag for $19.99.
The next stop was jeans for me and a shirt for John. After a quick pitstop to sample the new orange mocha frappuccino at the corner of Starbucks and Starbucks, we headed toward my never-fail ultimate jean-getting store: The Bay.
Now you wouldn’t think that a department store, in a mall, in downtown Vancouver (or any location really) would have decent, inexpensive, non-hideous denim, but they do. I had great luck a few months ago when I purchased a pair of Buffalos for $20 so I thought I would give it another go. Not that I care at all about the brand name, but seeing as how this is the one pair that hasn’t fallen prey to the rippage, they’re my pretty much the star of my wardrobe at the moment. After about 5 minutes we found a shirt for John, went upstairs and had some luck with the jeans – again. The price tag was a little higher than desirable but when I got to the cashier, they were surprisingly 40% off – and this is what I’m talking about. You have to dig to find what little gems there are at The Bay but once you find them, there’s always a lovely surprise like a discount – which of course is the best surprise when it comes to shopping.
The next purchase for both of us will have to be shoes, but we’re saving that for another day. Although, have you ever noticed that outside of Payless Shoes on Robson there is always a pair of discarded shoes? It’s obvious that people walk into the store in one pair, buy new shoes, and deposit their wear-ins outside near the garbage can. You can be guaranteed to find a pair of shoes there at any time of day, any day of the week. I wonder if Payless has ever considered accepting peoples’ old shoes and donating them? Well, the still-decent ones anyway.
One thing’s for sure, before any more shopping I have to do some serious closet-purging. The last time I did that I had a hard time locating a drop bin or finding a charity that would pick up goods downtown. So if anyone knows of a way that I can work out logistics to get my donations dropped off or picked up, please let me know.
The walk home was pretty soggy, especially since we both left the house wearing sandals, but that justified coming home and vegging on the couch the rest of the afternoon. I’m just hoping the rest of the weekend isn’t as grey, I’m unsure it will be perfect beach-going weather but perhaps we’ll venture into the Park regardless as I’m going to need a little time to detox from today’s mega retail experience.
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(a) Please tell me y’all went to Hon’s and had a bowl of won ton soup.
(b) Ah, the enigma that is Robson & Thurlow. Is it still the same? Bikers and dungarees at the southwest corner, suits and business-types at the northeast corner?
(c) As we head into the depths of winter, here’s a little sun from these parts.
🙂 Oh we love Hon’s but we just ate at home last night and yes, the dynamic of clientele at each respective Starbucks is pretty interesting – although the Blenz patrons further down Robson are the most intriguing.
I *wish* we had sun like that today, it’s a pretty soggy long weekend so far.
Hey there- a bunch of friends of mine and I are arranging a clothing sap for next week so we can all purge our closets too. Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send you the details. 🙂
Colleen
I’m a big fan of the Bay too…and I assure you that I shop even less than you. But whenever I need to buy a bunch of clothes, the Bay usually has good ones for very reasonable prices.
[…] I’ve written about the magic of the Bay’s jean department downtown but apparently it’s also a hot spot for sunglasses as well. I left work sick today […]
I just want to suggest to women looking for a place to donate clothes that my sister’s closet on Commercial dr and also Yale town is, (in my opinion), the best place. I like the sisterly feel of knowing that 100% profit from my donations go to support battered women; battered women’s support services…..they don’t mince words do they? My own closet purges to my less lucky sisters closet. Especially the good things that i bought on a whim and never wear and the clothes i love but have grown out of. i hate the way VV or Sally Annes throws everything into one monstrous smelly heap.
[…] Best place to shop for them? To quote Keira, ‘I’m not gonna lie’, I prefer Payless. I admit that I shop at a chain and yes, at a store on Robson Street. Scandalous I know. But honestly, you can’t beat BOGO – unless we’re talking about the shoe clearance section of The Bay. […]
[…] The Bay is definitely where I find the best clothing and everything is usually discounted when you get to the till, which is always a treat. (Latest purchase: Pink, silk, Nine West tunic for $29). […]
[…] always been a huge fan of The Bay, usually because when you grab a designer item (like my Nine West tunic) off the 30% […]