It is an experience just to walk into Hot Wax Records, a tiny hole-in-the-wall shop, and stroll through the decades of vintage rock paraphernalia adorning every flat surface. The selection of used and unusual vinyl records, cassette tapes, CDs, and even 8-track cassettes is incredible. It is difficult to distinguish between veteran customers and staff, as both share a great enthusiasm for the music and know exactly where to find the rarest recordings.
La Chic Ladies Wear is aptly named. Located at Bankers Hall, it offers upscale women's fashions and exclusive designer labels. It is haute couture at its finest. La Chic Ladies Wear caters to the business executive woman who doesn't mind spending money on quality clothing. But be prepared. A Donna Karan blazer can set you back by a huge margin and so will a red cocktail dress. It offers exclusive designers from Italy and Switzerland like Renzo and Akris so most of these fashions are not available anywhere else in the province. Call for more details.
If you are searching for a unique gift or new addition to one of your collections, look no further than Inside Avenue Antiques in Calgary. The massive establishment offers a wonderland of antiques for shoppers to explore. Dozens of different antique vendors have set up shop within the space, which means that you won't have to trek across town to find a particular item, because with this many vendors, you are bound to find something you love within this huge antiques complex. The well-organized space also features collectible vendors that sell a wide range of items, from antique spoons to first volume tomes. Be sure to set aside a couple of hours to better explore the nooks and crannies of this wonderful space.
In sharp contrast to the high rises all around, The Beehive soap and candle store is in a tiny cottage-like building with an immaculate yard and rustic wood sign in front. This traditional style extends inside the store, where hundreds of naturally-made soaps and candles in a myriad of shapes and sizes line the walls. Produced without the harmful compounds found in most commercial soaps, these claim to have less impact upon your skin, while still maintaining the same cleaning power. There is also an assortment of cute little handmade gifts and knickknacks.
This antique mall is located in the town of Airdrie, which is just 15 minutes from the north of Calgary accessible via the former Highway 2, Queen Elizabeth II Highway. This mall, called Where on Earth Did You Get That, is home to over 50 antique dealers, with a variety of useful, pre-loved, recyclable antiques from the mid-1900s to the early 19th Century. Though it can easily be taken for a museum, visitors are surprised at the abundance of antiques, from silver, china, vintage jewelery, old gramophones, antique furniture, paintings, and period gasoline station equipment.
This shop has been serving Calgarians for close to 50 years and is now a city landmark. Even the rich and powerful drop by the last time singer/actor/diva Cher was in town she picked up a couple of military flight jackets. This is one of the most authentic military surplus stores in North America with a staff conversant in military memorabilia. Crown offers everything from waterproof matches to footwear and binoculars, and most items are very reasonably priced. Even if you don't buy anything, it makes for great browsing.
Beret-wearing Richard Harvey may be Calgary's favorite oenophile and he is the mind behind the wine lists of many of the city's finer restaurants. His downtown wine shop boasts a wide selection of upscale wines including many obscure varieties and offerings from little-known vineyards. The stock features mostly high end wines, with few bottles available at reasonable prices. There is also a small selection of fine spirits, whiskeys and micro-brewed beer. The biggest asset of the shop, however, may be the knowledgeable staff who are happy to guide you through their favorites.
La Chic Ladies Wear is aptly named. Located at Bankers Hall, it offers upscale women's fashions and exclusive designer labels. It is haute couture at its finest. La Chic Ladies Wear caters to the business executive woman who doesn't mind spending money on quality clothing. But be prepared. A Donna Karan blazer can set you back by a huge margin and so will a red cocktail dress. It offers exclusive designers from Italy and Switzerland like Renzo and Akris so most of these fashions are not available anywhere else in the province. Call for more details.
Call it fanciful, but this little antique shop in a little old house in Olde Towne Okotoks is gaining popularity with mostly the Canadian products and goods that can be found in the store. On A Lark is just one of two antique and country gift shops along Okotok's main street. This store sells Canadian art and collectible designer handbags, whimsical primitive garden accessories, jewelery, furniture, and other home decor ideas that literally spill out in this store's veranda. With so many shops now dotting Okotok's Main Street, this little town is an attractive weekend alternative.
Face it doesn't everybody want to be Scottish at least a little bit? If you know someone who is, (or just wants to be) head to this quaint little shop for some really original gift ideas. The Highland Scottish Gift Shoppe specializes in interesting hand-made kilts and beautiful Celtic jewelry. The owners are accomplished bagpipe players and sell top of the line bagpipes and other Celtic treasures.
What started out as a fabric store is now a well-known Canadian home accessories store. Everything from furniture, lighting, wall coverings, rugs, and customized beddings and upholstery can be shopped for here. This store also has a large selection of fabrics for every conceivable design idea for a home, and those looking to renovate, decorate or upgrade their home furnishings can come in and consult their professional staff. They are also home to unique creations by the likes of Sarah Richardson (of Design Inc. and HGTV Fame) and Eva Zeisel, who at 102 years old is still designing pottery, glass and a variety of home items. Maria Tomas also carries Hickory Chairs favored by Jackie O. in the 1960s.
The charming little town of Okotoks is figured in the many stories of a veterinarian who moved from the United Kingdom to set up shop in what was then a remote Alberta town by the Sheep River Valley. This shop is located along Main Street along with other shops and restaurants. All Through the House is just one of two antique shops in town and offers rustic and cute farm antiques curios and keepsakes.