Every time the sun pokes its head through the grey west coast skies, everyone naturally thinks of Summer and being outside, enjoying patios, craft beers and thin crust pizza, all the while dressed in their stylish best. StyleDemocracy knows what is happening in Vancouver in the Summer – Herschel Canada will finally be infiltrating Vancouver’s booming shopping economy; Rolex will be replacing the XiShi Lounge in the Shangri-La Hotel on West Georgia; Tiffany & Co’s second floor expansion will be completed and legendary design house Chanel will expand their presence right through Holt Renfrew into SportChek’s former location by adding a French cafe and another entrance. BUT…it’s not Summer yet.
Here is what is happening this Spring in Vancouver because we at SD honour and accept that there really are four seasons in Canada!
IndigoSpirit on Granville Street – Open
Indigospirit opened just south of the busiest corner downtown and kitty corner high traffic shopping superstar Nordstrom. The city mourned when the colossal Chapters closed in 2015 and has been waiting patiently for a new bookstore to open. Although Indigospirit is nowhere near the size of Chapters, the new store is enjoying a flurry of page-turning by devotees.
Image via Helen Siwak
Eddie Bauer on Robson Street
American retailer Eddie Bauer will open where French Connection closed. Eddie Bauer is a household name in Canada and offers quality clothing, accessories and gear for men, women and kids that complement the west coast outdoor lifestyle. Their affordable product line is for everyone in the family and a great place for casual wear that is quality made.
Image via Eddie Bauer
Saje Natural Wellness on Robson Street
Vancouverites love products that aren’t tested on animals and ones that have all-natural base ingredients free of parabens, SLS, SLES, PEGS, glycols, petrochemicals, synthetic colours and synthetic fragrances. Shoppers will know when Saje opens, as the nebulizer will be plugged in and purifying its little electronic heart out, on the curbside.
Image via Helen Siwak
Zumiez on Granville Street
This streetwear store debuted in Seattle and grew across Canada quickly but only now are they venturing onto Granville. Currently an empty doorway for homeless youth with skater dogs to sleep in, the space will soon provide cutting edge clothing, footwear, accessories, DVDs, and hard skate and snow goods for people who enjoy active lifestyles.
Image via Helen Siwak
Laduree on Robson Street
Probably the most anticipated opening ever on Robson. This boutique and 16 seat tea salon will present a collection of delicious and beautifully boxed macarons, viennoiseries, teas, jams and a selection of perfumed candles and home fragrances. We can guarantee the well-heeled line-ups will be long and the LVs will either be flying or stuffed with take-away bags within moments of the doors sweetly swinging open.
Image via Laduree
SportChek on Robson Street
SportChek is the largest retailer of sporting goods, footwear, and apparel in Canada with over 163 stores spanning coast to coast. The retail space is hefty 52,000 square feet over three levels with floor to ceiling windows. Many of the larger SportChek stores provide in-store boutiques such as Nevada Bob’s Golf, Hockey Experts, and S3, but we are not sure what the configuration of this behemoth will be.
Image via Helen Siwak
Prada on Alberni Street
The venerated design house of Prada is jumping into one of the last retail spots in the ‘Luxury Zone’ with two floors designed by architect Roberto Baciocchi. Men and women’s apparel and accessories will be conjoined by an imposing black Marquinia marble staircase and shoppers will selfie themselves into heaven on the Verner Panton’s legendary ‘Clover Leaf’ couches. Sure to be a divine house of worship seven days a week. Opening day is Friday, March 11th.
Image via Helen Siwak
Massimo Dutti in CF Pacific Centre Mall
Sounds Italian, but Massimo Dutti is a fashion retailer originating in Spain and which is about to open adjacent to Hugo Boss, Kate Spade and Ted Baker London. Take the escalator down from the corner of Granville and Robson and enjoy browsing the newest wing of the PC Mall.
Image via @massimodutti
Stefano Ricci next to Trump Tower on West Georgia
With humble beginnings as a tie manufacturing firm in Florence in 1972, this family-run business strives for quality to the point of almost unattainable perfection, with prices to match. Peruse their website and a simple set of cufflinks (with 394 diamonds) will set the well-heeled back a little over $22,000. Our advice – shine up those big boy shoes before taking a step inside.
Image via @stefanoricciofficial
KOKKO + mastermindJAPAN in Gastown
KOKKO, a luxury retailer based in the Aberdeen Mall in Richmond (they sell Yeezy), launched a 45 day collaborative pop-up with the elusive mastermindJAPAN in an underground space in Gastown in February. The space is hot and the hoodie’s are priced at a cool $800+.
Image via Helen Siwak
There you have it, Spring is here and there is nothing that can be done about it besides hitting the pavement and looking great while doing it.
Did we miss any other Vancouver store openings for Spring? Share them with us!
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