As we bid farewell to spring, it’s time to pack away cold-weather clothes and dig out the summer threads. If your family has outgrown their warm-weather wardrobe, it’s time to go shopping! New West has a wide variety of stylish and affordable options for everyone in the family, and if you promise a picnic dinner from River Market, maybe they won’t grumble the whole time!
For the tweens & teens
Need to re-up summer clothes for tweens and teens? Look no further than Queensborough Landing. Finding the coolest clothes for that picky age can be a challenge, but with American Eagle Outlet, they’ll be dabbing because of the fab finds, and you’ll be smiling because of the savings.
Old Navy, a long-standing family favourite for outfitting the entire family, has enough selection to keep even the most discerning tween from rolling their eyes and, who knows, you may even find something for yourself.
For the grown-ups
Shopping for a cause has never been easier. Found Boutique, located on Columbia Street, is a Union Gospel Mission social enterprise, that sells new and gently-used clothing for both men and women, alongside a carefully curated artisan collection. Their clothing collection includes Montreal-based Kuwalla Tee, bobi Los Angeles and Lower Mainland’s DIY Mandala Stones. Whether you’re looking for a casual outfit for a summer BBQ or a graduation gift, you’ll find it at Found Boutique.
Next door to Found Boutique is Mila + Paige, another of New West’s favourite clothing stores. They have a great collection of women’s clothing from brands like Gentle Fawn, YaYa, Dex and Levi’s. For men, you’ll find Father’s Day gift inspo from brands like Frank & Oak, Only and Sons, and William Ditsy. Of course, it’s not just about the clothes, but the service. The friendly staff will help you find the perfect item for your next event or job interview. You’ll leave Mila + Paige looking like a million bucks, and feeling on top of the world.
For the babies and toddlers
Whether you’re looking to outfit your new baby or pick up a gift for a baby shower, Downtown New West is the destination with shops such as the Baby Nook and The Lily Pad!
The Baby Nook at the River Market is a baby store with a difference. As parents with young children themselves, the owners understand the importance of quality over quantity, and practical items over fast fashion. Each item in the store is carefully curated and you will feel good knowing you’re supporting a local business with an adorable purchase.
The Lily Pad, found inside Mila + Paige, has an absolutely delightful collection of clothes and toys for toddlers. Matching Big Bro & Lil Bro sweatshirts, the cutest little rompers (that you will wish also came in adult sizes), and even UPF 50+ towels to protect your wee ones while at the beach.
Family Fun
Once everyone has their new outfits and if you’re looking to become the next TikTok musical family sensation, check out the Neil Douglas Guitar Shop on 12th Street. A family-run business, Neil Douglas has electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars, classical and flamenco guitars, and ukuleles. They also have a great cast of teachers that will have you all confidently jamming out around the backyard firepit in no time.
If you’re not musically inclined, T&N Games at Royal City Centre has an excellent assortment of board games, dice, puzzles, graphic novels and so much more! Their staff is super knowledgeable and can recommend the perfect game for family night or your next adult summer get-together.
Now that you’re done shopping, head over to the River Market to pick up some tasty take-away, and find a cozy spot at Pier Park to sit back, munch, admire your new purchases, and relax. Check out our blog post For the Gourmands to rediscover some of New West’s best places to shop for specialty food ingredients.
This is just a small snapshot of the stores that can help you and your family ease into summer. Speaking of snapshots, don’t forget to snap a photo of your finds and post to your public social media accounts with #ReDiscoverNewWest for your chance to win some great prizes. When you shop local you can also enter to win $1000 to spend local! Visit www.ReDiscoverNewWest.ca for all the contest details and a listing of more great New West shops. The contest runs until June 30, 2021.