Stores
Book-off
A Japanese language bookstore plunked down in Vancouver. Buys and sells books, CDs, and DVDs from Japan and in the Japanese language. Also has some English-language and foreign-language books.
H-Mart
Hidden on the second floor is a large grocery store featuring a wide range of high-quality, primarily Korean groceries. Part of a North American chain of Korean stores. The food court offers a number of good lunch choices, too.
BCMP Bookstore
The BCMP "Bookstore" is arguably the centre of the marijuana subculture of Vancouver. It is the party headquarters for the provincial marijuana party as well as a store and lounge. Proceeds from the BCMP go towards the party and the legal battle against the extradition of the party leader who faces life in prison in the USA. The front half of the store is taken up by display shelves of bongs, pipes, rolling papers and pretty much anything you could imagine. The lounge costs $5 to go into but it has a very relaxing atmosphere and you're able to use the Volcano Vaporizers.
New Amsterdam Cafe
The New Amsterdam Cafe is a cafe that permits the smoking of Marijuana, and is directly next door to the BCMP Bookstore. The Amsterdam offers a friendly environment to meet new people and to exercise some of the more unique freedoms that Vancouver offers. While it is not, however, generally permitted to buy or sell marijuana on or near the premises, it is not policed or enforced, so long as it in the spirit of sharing, within reason. They also sell a smaller number but more impressive selection of pipes, bongs, busters, rolling papers, and other marijuana-related items, including clothing. Of note are the array of specialist pipes, bongs, and busters, with the unusual titanium Space-Case also on sale.
Shopping areas
Robson Street
Downtown is the main shopping district. the intersecting burrard & alberni street houses some of the most high-end shops in the region.
Yaletown
Is the newest urban residential area of vancouver. rather yuppie, you will find many beauty shops and self-improvement facilities such as cosmetic dentistry and plastic surgery. start your tour at davie & hamilton, walk along mainland st, pacific, homer and finish at the spectacular marinaside crescent. this was formerly a warehouse district that is now a high end residential area with many upscale and mid-range stores. as an illustration of the neighbourhood's character, one cosmetic surgery office has valet parking in front.