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Army and Navy Shoe Sale, A Vancouver Tradition

Comments 16 by Rebecca Bollwitt
back to school at target

Although we no longer have the “$1.49 day – Woodwards” theme chiming through our radios there are still many traditions in local retail shopping that have lived on to the point of being legendary. Growing up in Surrey, it was always A&B Sound on Boxing Day, and in other cities it’s been the annual Army & Navy shoe sale.

More than 100,000 pairs will be arriving for the sale, including designer labels such as Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass, Richard Tyler and Ann Taylor.

Prices range from $9.99 to $39.99 with savings up to 80 per cent off regular retail. Doors open at 8 a.m. sharp at Army & Navy locations in downtown Vancouver, New Westminster and Langley Mall. [The Vancouver Sun]

A recent post on WCW by Barbara reminded me of this tradition, and if you think it’s “just another sale” check out this 24 Hours video podcast that captures some of the madness:

This year’s sale will take place on April 16th and you might just happen to find Keira-Anne and I camped out with hot coffees in hand in the wee hours of the morning, feel free to join us… just as long as we don’t share the same shoe size.

Update: SUCCESS! Read this post for the photos.

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16 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. phaedraTuesday, April 8th, 2008 — 6:28pm PDT

    I love shoes, but I hate crowds….if you girls are there, I just may come down and bring you fresh coffee and muffins.

  2. Barbara DodukTuesday, April 8th, 2008 — 6:37pm PDT

    Yeah I can’t stand madness sales either. No deal is worth that annoyance. Plus sadly I have come to conclude… (insert big sobs) that I should no longer wear high heels. My shoe addiction must come to a sad end. 🙁

  3. zonaTuesday, April 8th, 2008 — 7:58pm PDT

    are you two size 11’s?

  4. Motion GrooveTuesday, April 8th, 2008 — 11:18pm PDT

    How many Army & Navy stores are even in Vancouver?

  5. Miss604Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 — 11:22pm PDT

    @Motion Groove: There’s just downtown Vancouver, New West, and Langley.

  6. AdelaideWednesday, April 9th, 2008 — 2:37pm PDT

    I went in 2006 (and I remember because I was on mat leave, brought my 4 year old, and had my newby baby in a backpack carrier). Thinking back…wow, I was brave. 😆 But I knew not to bring a stroller as they have NO elevators (at least in the New West location). It wasn’t as crazy as I anticipated at the N.West location. I lined up a bit before 8, and waited at the balcony back entrance.

  7. fotoeinsWednesday, April 9th, 2008 — 7:36pm PDT

    To me, the blocks of Carrall, Abbott, and Cambie symbolize the Army & Navy and Woodward’s. Oh, how we would rummage through the bins during $1.49 day, and then made our way down to the Food Floor (remember that!) in the basement. Just because they were there in the “unusual food section,” I fondly remember my sister and I looking for the tins of chocolate-covered ants in the Food Floor at Woodward’s in Oakridge (41st & Cambie).

  8. Miss604Thursday, April 10th, 2008 — 2:49pm PDT

    @Phaedra – We just might take you up on that, I think we’ll be there by 6:00am 🙂

    @Henry – $1.49 day was a real event for my mom, aunt and grandma. We’d head out to the one in Guildford Mall, although I do remember the window displays downtown.

  9. crunchy carpetsThursday, April 10th, 2008 — 9:23pm PDT

    I am ashamed to admit I have NEVER done the sale….
    I feel it should be some vancouverite fem rite of passage or something!

  10. Keira-AnneThursday, April 10th, 2008 — 11:36pm PDT

    “I’m so excited…and I just can’t hide it…I know, I know, I know, I know – I love shoes! I love shoes!”

    (I was going to go the Jessie Spano route while typing out the lyrics to the song, but this was so much better)

  11. AliMonday, April 14th, 2008 — 10:52pm PDT

    How early will people be there? is 5:30 am too early? are there cops down there at that time? Also what doors do u line up at??? thanks:)

  12. Miss604Monday, April 14th, 2008 — 10:56pm PDT

    @Ali – Doors are at 8:00am and I believe people were there as early as 5:00am last year. The line up should be taking place outside the Hastings St entrance.

  13. Army and Navy Shoe Sale Preview and Interview » Miss604’s Vancouver BlogTuesday, April 15th, 2008 — 10:01am PDT

    […] my preview post for tomorrow’s shoe sale I got in touch with the company and was fortunate enough to interview Tania Berrios who is the Jr. […]

  14. AliTuesday, April 15th, 2008 — 2:29pm PDT

    Thanks alot im very excited !! 🙂

  15. LoriTuesday, April 15th, 2008 — 2:36pm PDT

    Will the Hastings St. and Cordova St. doors open at the same time? Thanks, your tips are very helpful!

  16. janiceSunday, April 20th, 2008 — 2:28pm PDT

    The best way to start spring is with the Army and Navy shoe sale. Over the years the styles have gotten better and this year is no exception. And of course the prices are unbelieveable, and some people say how do they do it. If you have shopped around town shoes prices are very high. But everytime I go to A&N the shoes are cheap for what you get, I mean leather instyle shoes for only $30, how about the name branded shoes they have, those prices are crazy! That’s why I start every year with this wild and shoecrazy sale………………keep a smile on my face all year long, a girl can never have enough shoes.

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