Variety and selection make Surrey an exceptional shopping destination. From shopping malls and big-box stores to antique dealers and ethnic retailers, British Columbia's second-largest city is loaded with options for savvy shoppers who are willing to scout around.
Shopping Centres and Plazas
Surrey is home to three major shopping centres.
Central City Shopping Centre
A good starting point is Central City Shopping Centre (10153 King George Hwy), which is 35 minutes from downtown Vancouver on the SkyTrain rapid transit link or by car. With its spectacular 25-storey glass tower and five-storey inner atrium designed by architect Bing Thom, Central City is easy to spot in downtown Surrey. It's appeared in movies and TV shows like I, Robot and Smallville. Shop for clothing, jewellery, electronics, and more at 100-plus stores, and fill up at the expanded food court, three full-service restaurants, and an Asian-themed supermarket.
Guildford Town Centre - Surrey
Guildford Town Centre (152 St and 104 Ave) is BC's second-largest shopping mall. Highlights include several brand-name department stores and some 200 specialty stores and services, from furniture and luggage to fashion accessories and cosmetics. There's also a 12-screen movie theatre and a free, woodland-themed play park for children.
Semiahoo Shopping Cetnre
Semiahmoo Shopping Centre (1701-152 St) has more than 50 boutique stores, featuring women's fashions, shoes, electronics, and more. Choose from more than 10 food court outlets and restaurants.
Surrey also has a growing number of trendy, urban shopping plazas with boutique and brand-name retailers and nice chain restaurants. Check out Grandview Corners (160 St and 24 Ave) and South Point Exchange (3033-152 St).
Antiques and Collectibles
Looking for vintage collectibles and knick-knacks? Head to the historic Cloverdale area. Occupying 1,672sq m/18,000sq ft, the Cloverdale Antique Mall (#106-17780 #10 Hwy) hosts more than 100 vendors with a potpourri of porcelain figurines, stained glass, movie and TV memorabilia. On Sundays, the bustling Cloverdale Flea Market at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds (6050A-176 Street) is a great place to score bargains on used CDs, collectibles and clothing.
Specialty Shopping in Surrey
For garden supplies and natural food products, Surrey offers some quality choices. Green thumbs can try the three Potters locations on 152 Street, 192 Street, and 76 Avenue for huge selections of garden pottery, fresh-cut Christmas trees, and annual and perennial flowers. View a life-sized model elephant from the movie A Night at the Museum at the 192 Street store, or get chills and thrills at the 76 Avenue store's Haunted House with ghoulish actors in October.
At Honeybee Centre in Cloverdale (7480-176 St.), customers can buy dozens of flavours of honey, plus specialty items like royal jelly, candles, and body care products. Peer through the glass at teeming bee hives and learn about beekeeping as well. The Honeybee Centre hosts a bee festival each July with live entertainment and family fun.
Punjabi Market
Those with a taste for South Asia are in luck, as Surrey has the largest selection of Indian shopping in British Columbia. The main shopping district, dubbed "Little India" or the "Punjabi Market," centers on 120 Street between 92 Avenue and 96 Avenue, and 128 Street between 80 Avenue and 86 Avenue. Shop for beautifully tailored saris or Indian jewellery, buy Indian DVDs, and feast at Indian restaurants and sweet shops. Heading south over the US border? Shop for liquor, perfumes, watches, and more at Surrey's duty-free stores near the Peace Arch border crossing, such as West Coast Duty Free (1111-176 St).
To learn more about shopping in Surrey, contact the Visitor Centre, pick up Tourism Surrey's Official Visitors Guide, or visit the Tourism Surrey web site.