Shopping in the Okanagan
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Thompson Okanagan, British Columbia.
Shoppers in the Thompson Okanagan will discover that while the necessities are easily found in most small communities, shopping hours are short and selection is limited. Though what this area lacks in brand-name choices and shopping hours, it certainly makes up for with its abundant fresh fruit stands, farmers' and flea markets, antique stores and specialty shops and boutiques.
THE BIG PICTURE
To locate specialized items or big-box stores, visitors will need to visit larger centres such as Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon, Merritt, Penticton and Salmon Arm. These cities not only offer the convenience of shopping malls with wide selections but generally extended shopping hours and lower prices. One of the largest malls in Interior BC, the Orchard Park Shopping Centre boasts 150 shops and services and is located along Highway 97 in Kelowna. Shoppers in the Kamloops region will want to visit the sizable Aberdeen Mall, which has numerous stores and services, including a number of large big-box stores and a movie theatre.
Though many stores and shops in the region are sprinkled throughout residential, agricultural and industrial areas, there are several recognized shopping areas in the larger centres, such as South Pandosy in Kelowna. This shopping haven offers a diverse selection of novel and offbeat shops that include funky fashion boutiques as well as relaxed, friendly dining establishments. Downtown Vernon is another popular shopping district, which not only features numerous eateries and shops ranging from fashion stores to book shops to antique dealers, but is also home to a variety of festivals and events throughout the year.
The Thompson Okanagan's many farmers' markets are excellent places to peruse local goods that range from freshly picked produce to handcrafted luxuries. These markets usually run from mid-spring to mid-fall and may be open weekly on a specific day, on weekends or daily, depending on the market. Enderby, home to both the Enderby Flea Market and the Enderby Open-Air Market, is a prime location for finding antiques, handmade crafts and fresh produce. Peachland also holds the weekly Peachland Farmers' and Crafters' Market, which includes items such as arts, crafts, jewellery and fresh fruit and vegetables. DeMille's Farm Market, a Salmon Arm staple, is open daily year round and features a farm and produce market, bakery, tack shop, deli and garden centre.
FINDING FRESH FOOD & LOCAL BEVERAGES
Another excellent opportunity to enjoy the bountiful and delicious fruit and vegetables grown in the region is at one of the numerous fresh fruit stands. Many of these fruit stands are not listed in any directory and simply pop up along roadsides as fruit comes into season during summer and fall. Other fruit stands are located on local farms or orchards where the produce is grown. The Blush Lane Organic Orchard in Keremeos sells produce from its own orchard and that of the local community of Certified Organic farms. The Golden Mile Fruit Market, situated between Osoyoos and Oliver, offers locally made fruit syrups, honey and fresh home-made bread and pies as well as fruit.
Travellers will find that most little communities have one or more small grocery stores featuring not only every-day necessities but also items for campers and vacationers—like firewood, ice and water toys—such as Askew's Foods in Armstrong. This store not only sells local produce but is known as one of the best bakeries in the area. Okanagan Falls is home to a Marketplace IGA—a regional supermarket chain found in many of the Okanagan's smaller communities—which offers a full-service bakery and deli.
The communities of the Thompson Okanagan have no shortage of liquor stores such as the Zodiac Beer and Wine Store in Keremeos, which carries a vast selection of beer and other adult beverages. Many communities have more than one store where liquor of all varieties, including many of the delectable wines produced locally in the Okanagan Valley, can be found. Local wine can also be found in specialty wine stores such as Discover Wines in Kelowna, which is staffed with wine connoisseurs and stocked with rare and hard-to-find BC wines.
OKANAGAN GIFTS & SPECIALTY ITEMS
Visitors to the area will have plenty of opportunities to purchase one-of-a-kind gifts and memorable souvenirs while shopping. While in Vernon, shoppers can stop at the Boutique Canadiana where they will find Canadian-made merchandise and mementos such as First Nations handcrafts, art, moccasins, mukluks and BC jade carvings and jewellery as well as Pure Maple and WillowTree products. Unique gifts and keepsakes can be found in shops such as the Cariboo Jade Shoppe in Cache Creek, which features BC jade, hematite, rhodenite and other semi-precious stones set in jewellery and other items. Handcrafted ceramics and pottery can be located throughout the region at stores and galleries such as the Sagebrush Pottery store in Kamloops, offering functional fired stoneware.
Other items that are fun to shop for in the Thompson Okanagan include books, antiques, candy and specialty items. Book lovers will be delighted perusing through shelves of old favourites at one of the many used-book stores like the Mad Hatter Used Bookstore in Westbank. Visitors will also find antique stores in many of the smaller towns like Sorrento, which is home to Thompson Lodge Antiques—specialists in pre-1920's cowboy and First Nations pieces. When shoppers get peckish, they can stop at local candy shops such as Pooh's and Beans in Big White and choose from a generous selection of candy, chocolates and other sweets.
SPORTING GEAR & EQUIPMENT
With endless opportunities for adventure in the region, so too are there shops that offer clothing and gear for the various activities. For a diverse and complete selection of clothing and gear, sports and outdoor outfitters such as Valhalla Pure Outfitters are a great choice with stores in Vernon, Kelowna, Kamloops and Silver Star Resort. Sports and recreation stores in the region equip shoppers for everything from water sports to fishing to cycling to skiing and snowboarding. The Okanagan also has specialized sport stores such as golf shops like Nevada Bob's Golf in Kelowna and swimwear stores such as the Bum Wrap Clothing Store in Penticton.
THE BIG PICTURE
To locate specialized items or big-box stores, visitors will need to visit larger centres such as Kamloops, Kelowna, Vernon, Merritt, Penticton and Salmon Arm. These cities not only offer the convenience of shopping malls with wide selections but generally extended shopping hours and lower prices. One of the largest malls in Interior BC, the Orchard Park Shopping Centre boasts 150 shops and services and is located along Highway 97 in Kelowna. Shoppers in the Kamloops region will want to visit the sizable Aberdeen Mall, which has numerous stores and services, including a number of large big-box stores and a movie theatre.
Though many stores and shops in the region are sprinkled throughout residential, agricultural and industrial areas, there are several recognized shopping areas in the larger centres, such as South Pandosy in Kelowna. This shopping haven offers a diverse selection of novel and offbeat shops that include funky fashion boutiques as well as relaxed, friendly dining establishments. Downtown Vernon is another popular shopping district, which not only features numerous eateries and shops ranging from fashion stores to book shops to antique dealers, but is also home to a variety of festivals and events throughout the year.
The Thompson Okanagan's many farmers' markets are excellent places to peruse local goods that range from freshly picked produce to handcrafted luxuries. These markets usually run from mid-spring to mid-fall and may be open weekly on a specific day, on weekends or daily, depending on the market. Enderby, home to both the Enderby Flea Market and the Enderby Open-Air Market, is a prime location for finding antiques, handmade crafts and fresh produce. Peachland also holds the weekly Peachland Farmers' and Crafters' Market, which includes items such as arts, crafts, jewellery and fresh fruit and vegetables. DeMille's Farm Market, a Salmon Arm staple, is open daily year round and features a farm and produce market, bakery, tack shop, deli and garden centre.
FINDING FRESH FOOD & LOCAL BEVERAGES
Another excellent opportunity to enjoy the bountiful and delicious fruit and vegetables grown in the region is at one of the numerous fresh fruit stands. Many of these fruit stands are not listed in any directory and simply pop up along roadsides as fruit comes into season during summer and fall. Other fruit stands are located on local farms or orchards where the produce is grown. The Blush Lane Organic Orchard in Keremeos sells produce from its own orchard and that of the local community of Certified Organic farms. The Golden Mile Fruit Market, situated between Osoyoos and Oliver, offers locally made fruit syrups, honey and fresh home-made bread and pies as well as fruit.
Travellers will find that most little communities have one or more small grocery stores featuring not only every-day necessities but also items for campers and vacationers—like firewood, ice and water toys—such as Askew's Foods in Armstrong. This store not only sells local produce but is known as one of the best bakeries in the area. Okanagan Falls is home to a Marketplace IGA—a regional supermarket chain found in many of the Okanagan's smaller communities—which offers a full-service bakery and deli.
The communities of the Thompson Okanagan have no shortage of liquor stores such as the Zodiac Beer and Wine Store in Keremeos, which carries a vast selection of beer and other adult beverages. Many communities have more than one store where liquor of all varieties, including many of the delectable wines produced locally in the Okanagan Valley, can be found. Local wine can also be found in specialty wine stores such as Discover Wines in Kelowna, which is staffed with wine connoisseurs and stocked with rare and hard-to-find BC wines.
OKANAGAN GIFTS & SPECIALTY ITEMS
Visitors to the area will have plenty of opportunities to purchase one-of-a-kind gifts and memorable souvenirs while shopping. While in Vernon, shoppers can stop at the Boutique Canadiana where they will find Canadian-made merchandise and mementos such as First Nations handcrafts, art, moccasins, mukluks and BC jade carvings and jewellery as well as Pure Maple and WillowTree products. Unique gifts and keepsakes can be found in shops such as the Cariboo Jade Shoppe in Cache Creek, which features BC jade, hematite, rhodenite and other semi-precious stones set in jewellery and other items. Handcrafted ceramics and pottery can be located throughout the region at stores and galleries such as the Sagebrush Pottery store in Kamloops, offering functional fired stoneware.
Other items that are fun to shop for in the Thompson Okanagan include books, antiques, candy and specialty items. Book lovers will be delighted perusing through shelves of old favourites at one of the many used-book stores like the Mad Hatter Used Bookstore in Westbank. Visitors will also find antique stores in many of the smaller towns like Sorrento, which is home to Thompson Lodge Antiques—specialists in pre-1920's cowboy and First Nations pieces. When shoppers get peckish, they can stop at local candy shops such as Pooh's and Beans in Big White and choose from a generous selection of candy, chocolates and other sweets.
SPORTING GEAR & EQUIPMENT
With endless opportunities for adventure in the region, so too are there shops that offer clothing and gear for the various activities. For a diverse and complete selection of clothing and gear, sports and outdoor outfitters such as Valhalla Pure Outfitters are a great choice with stores in Vernon, Kelowna, Kamloops and Silver Star Resort. Sports and recreation stores in the region equip shoppers for everything from water sports to fishing to cycling to skiing and snowboarding. The Okanagan also has specialized sport stores such as golf shops like Nevada Bob's Golf in Kelowna and swimwear stores such as the Bum Wrap Clothing Store in Penticton.
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