10 Places to Find Unique Vancouver Artisan-Made Goods

Vancouver has a thriving maker culture, with creative individuals producing all sorts of specialty goods, including pottery, jewelry, gourmet food items, and skincare products. Shopping at craft shops in Vancouver is a great way to discover these locally made artisan products and take home gifts for friends and family (or yourself) crafted by someone who calls the city home.

Here are ten top spots for finding local artisan products:

Artisan Shops at Granville Island

Granville Island is not only picturesque, but also a hub for local food, craft shops and handmade goods. Inside the Public Market, you’ll find a variety of food vendors selling specialty gourmet artisan products made in British Columbia.

The market also welcomes a rotating selection of day-stall vendors, offering even more locally made goods to discover. Browse the offerings before exploring the area beyond the Public Market. The Net Loft building is another great spot for artisan goods, particularly at boutiques like Circle Craft Co-op, which features artists from a range of mediums (e.g., textiles) and Fibre Art Studio, which sells yarns and knitted, felted, and handwoven items.

Granville Island also contains a host of artist studios, many concentrated in the Artisan District. There, you can purchase hand-painted silks from Alarte Silks, locally-made sake from Artisan Sake Maker, and handcrafted brooms from Granville Island Broom Company. You can spend a whole day exploring all the vendors and stores on the Island, as well as grabbing a bite at one of its many delicious eateries.

Gallery and Museum Shops

Vancouver has some fabulous museums and galleries, many of which have gift shops where you can buy local artisan products. If you’re particularly interested in shopping for Indigenous-made items, check out the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art or the Coastal Peoples Fine Arts Gallery. Other gallery/museum shops with local items include The Vancouver Art Gallery and the Museum of Vancouver.

Craft Fairs

Vancouverites love supporting local craft fairs, which appear periodically throughout the year. Since 2007, Got Craft has showcased handmade Vancouver goods at their signature spring and holiday events, Bits + Bobs sales (their sample and seconds events) and partnership events throughout the year. Their curated roster of vendors includes those specializing in paper goods, candles, clothing and textiles, and food and drink.

Other popular Vancouver craft fairs:

You’re bound to find lots of interesting and specialty artisan goods for a range of different tastes and interests.

Farmers Markets

Vancouver Farmers Markets are all about supporting local producers and, over the years, have expanded their vendors to include those selling specialty drinks and food items (e.g., pastries, kimchi, dips, vegetable chips, kombucha) and artisan products. The markets offer a range of options, with more locations open during the summer months when the climate is particularly enjoyable. On any given market day, you can browse diverse creative goods, such as skin serums, jewelry, and pottery. The vendor lineup changes every market, so check the schedule and market map for the most up-to-date list.

Artist Studios and the Eastside Culture Crawl

The Eastside Culture Crawl happens every year in November and is a fabulous opportunity to visit an impressive variety of artist studios, admire their talent, and purchase their creations. East Vancouver contains a ton of studios with makers producing everything from custom hats to leather bags. Outside of the Crawl, many artists have open studio times for guests to drop by, or visitors can contact artists to set up an appointment. Use the Crawl map to find artists/mediums that interest you. Certain buildings like the Parker Street Studios, which host over 100 artists, can help you see more artists in one day.

Festivals and Events

There’s always something happening in Vancouver, with festivals and events picking up considerably in the spring and summer months. At any given festival or event in the city, you’ll find food vendors and trucks, and frequently artisan vendors selling locally-made goods.

Metro Vancouver is home to several popular recurring night markets, including North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market, where you can browse unique goods from local vendors. You’ll also find artisan products at neighbourhood and cultural festivals throughout the city, such as Greek Day on Broadway, Car Free Days, and the Khatsahlano Street Party.

Many markets and festivals feature vendors that reflect the theme or community behind the event. The Powell Street Festival, for example, showcases Japanese Canadian artists and makers, while the Vegan Night Market brings together vendors focused on plant-based ingredients and materials.

Specialty Local Grocery Stores

Recently, cafes with a retail element have emerged and become popular in Vancouver. They often support the local creative community by offering specialty food and drink products, such as hot sauces, dumplings, and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as craft items like pottery, blown glassware, and candles. Some of the well-known hybrid cafes/stores include The Garden Strathcona, Coco et Olive, and Rise Up Marketplace.

Shop Makers

With multiple locations across the Lower Mainland, Shop Makers is a Vancouver craft shop that makes it easy to support local. Makers receive 100% of their sales, and the retail platform is specifically designed for small businesses. Their stores contain a wide selection of products, including candles, jewelry, artwork, pottery, leather goods, clothing, hair accessories, and skincare items.

Craft Shops on Main Street

Main Street, with its friendly Mount Pleasant neighbourhood vibe, has numerous craft shops that spotlight local goods. Shops on Main Street to check out include Giving Gifts, Welk's General Store, and The Storehouse. Start roughly at West Broadway and walk south, and you’ll find numerous stores to pop into as you enjoy the neighbourhood as well as search for artisanal items.

Specialty Stores Around Town

Many of the other neighbourhoods in town feature charming boutiques that focus on local producers and their specialty goods. Walrus in Cambie Village celebrates design-forward functional items for the home, as well as for gift-giving. Many of their items are Canadian, if not Vancouver-made. The Coast Goods in East Vancouver is a small shop that is packed with local items, including pottery, self-care items, weaving, and artwork.

From bustling markets to Vancouver craft shops and artist studios, shopping local is a great way to experience Vancouver’s creative side. Leave a little extra room in your suitcase. You may come home with a one-of-a-kind reminder of the city and the talented makers who call it home.