Shopping trips in Northern BC provide visitors with not only the standard supermarkets and malls, but also historic landmark stores and artisan galleries selling one-of-a-kind pieces.
Discover how the Cow Bay boutiques earned their name in Prince Rupert, or go for a European alpine experience in Smithers. On Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), browse Haida artwork like carved jewelry, masks and sculptures made of gold, silver and cedar wood. In Jade City on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway 37, discover goods made of the green gemstone that is indeed mined in Northern BC.
Visit the modern version of the Hudson's Bay Company store in Prince George and for quality mall shopping, drop into Fort St. John.
Prince Rupert
Cow Bay on Prince Rupert's oceanfront – just a 10-minute walk from downtown – is a must-visit. You'll find boutiques and gift shops in this area, which is one of the oldest parts of the city – many of the historic buildings still rest on pilings. Legend has it that Cow Bay got its name when a dairy farmer brought a boatload of cows to what was then Cameron Cove in 1906. As there was no dock at the time, the cows had to swim to shore. In memory of this event you'll find businesses such as Cowpuccino's Coffee House as well as a black-and-white cow motif on the area's lampposts and dumpsters.
Smithers
Tucked away in the Hudson mountains, Smithers resembles a European alpine village. Gift and book stores may be found in the small downtown area, along with cozy coffee shops and restaurants.
Queen Charlotte Islands
On the islands of Skidegate and Tlell, part of the Queen Charlotte archipelago, First Nations communities and other artisans operate art studios and gift stores where visitors can choose from hand-made leather goods, carved jewelry, masks and sculptures. Haida artists work with Argillite slate, silver, gold and, in the case of famous carver Bill Reid, cedar wood. Here, traditions begun thousands of years ago are still practiced, and honoured.
Jade City
One of the most sought-after jewels in Northern BC is its jade, found in the Cassiar mountains. On the Stewart-Cassiar Highway 37, stop in Jade City, for cutting demonstrations, as well as a great selection of raw jade, jade carvings and jewelry. BC jade is also available in many jewelry stores across the region.
Prince George
The first of Canada's retail giants was The Hudson's Bay Company, and in Prince George you'll find the modern day version of this institution in the Parkwood Mall. Downtown Prince George also offers attractive shopping. Third Avenue, also known as Specialty Avenue, is lined with several home furnishings boutiques, including one of the city's oldest establishments, The Northern. Established in 1919, this venerable store has supplied people with everything from furniture to fishing licenses.
Fort St. John
Fort St. John, in the province's northeast section, is also known as "The Energetic City," due to its close proximity to the oil and gas fields. Over the years, Fort St. John has evolved into a major centre for the north, serving as an important retail and service for people living in the region. The downtown area is home to several gift shops and the city's mall features many familiar store names.
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