Neighbourhood Guide
Granville Island
By Rosemary Poole published Jun 1, 2009
Additional Images click to enlarge
The city’s most-loved public space and top tourist draw packs old tin-sided buildings, a top arts university, studios, and a public market onto a manmade island overlooking downtown
Eats | Shops | Services
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Eats
1. Go Fish’s smoky salmon tacones made Vancouver magazine’s 101 Best Tastes list; visit its shack on the docks and see what all the fuss is about. 1505 W. First Ave., 604-730-5040
2. Edible British Columbia is the place to source local artisan foodstuffs like Vista d’Oro’s seasonal preserves, Chilliwack River’s pure liquid honeys, Maison Côté’s spice rubs—too many finds to list. Staff offer tours of the Public Market on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. 1689 Johnston St., 604-662-3606. Edible-britishcolumbia.com
Shops
1. Little Dream is a fragment of Dream, the Gastown boutique that’s championed local designers for 16 years. Look for dresses from Allison Wonderland, pretty pleated blouses from KBO, and striking organic jewellery by Justine Brooks. 1666 Johnston St., 604-683-6930. Dreamvancouver.com
2. Knotty Toys is a throwback to the pre-plastic toy era, stocking sustainably made wooden toys from Plan Toys; custom-order puzzles and blocks spelling your little one’s name. 1496 Cartwright St., 604-683-7854. Knottytoys.com
3. Artisan SakeMaker sakes pair beautifully with local fare. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. 1339 Railspur Alley, 604-685-7253. Artisansakemaker.com
4. Paper-Ya: Browse leatherbound journals, letter-press cards, beautiful gift wrap, and whimsical desk accessories at this destination for paperphiles. Vancouver designers are well represented: look for graphic notecards from Haute Note and old-fashioned wooden pencil boxes from Cabin + Cub. 9–1666 Johnston St., in the Net Loft, 604-684-2531
Services
1. Jasna Sokolovic creates ceramic wall installations richly detailed with pencil sketches, silk-screening, and the impressions of found objects, among other treatments. Her latest project is clever 3D wallpaper. 1375 Railspur Alley, 604-684-5327. Jasnart.com
2. The Waterfall Building: Arthur Erickson designed this concrete-and-glass live/work building in 1996, and it still looks like the building of the future. A seat in the picturesque courtyard, beside the waterfall, is quintessential Vancouver. 1540 W. Second Ave.
