Vancouver Stores Offer Big Deals on Boxing Day

Our Vancouver indie shopping guide to Boxing Day sales in Gastown, Commercial Drive and Main Street…

 

Black Friday, Free Shipping Friday, Mobile Sunday, Cyber Monday, Green Monday. Marketing mavens never seem to tire of coming up with nattily nicknamed fauxccasions to get us to spend, spend, spend. Of course, the ‘shop ‘til you drop’ mantra rings most loudly ‘round the Christmas holidays, and the mother of all sales—Boxing Day—is still ahead.

 

This year—instead of suffering through the interminable line-ups, unruly crowds (sometimes featuring fisticuffs!) and inevitable monochromatic drudgery of the big box blitz, why not celebrate Boxing Day by supporting your local, Vancouver-owned boutiques?

 

The deals you’ll find at these stores will be for unique—often one of a kind—designs and labels you won’t find at the malls, and it typically isn’t necessary to rise at the crack of dawn to get them, as most stores are open Sunday hours. And, you’ll often have the chance to chat with the people who made your newfound objects of affection.

 

Interested? Read on for the scoop on where all these divine deals can be had!

 

 

Gastown Boxing Day

For the first time ever, Gastown independent shops are organizing a Boxing Day-themed shop hop. If you’ve never been to one of these before—simply take a stroll through the ‘hood, there will be more than 20 stores with sales a plenty. (Download the complete list of stores and shopping map here.)

 

First, grab a bite at the Irish Heather and Salty Tongue, which will be open on Boxing Day serving up brunch specials for hungry shoppers. 

 

If you’re looking for a special little number for your upcoming New Year’s Party check out Obakki (44 Water St). Obakki’s offering 50 percent off everything on Boxing Day only. Look for the international design house’s popular sequined holiday dresses (we lo-ove the Lucky Dress!)—perfect for New Year’s—which will be $347.50 on Boxing Day (regularly $695), and its Levoe body con dress for $137.50 (regularly $275). All dresses are designed and manufactured in Vancouver.

 

Here’s some of the other Gastown deals you’ll find on Boxing Day:

 

Dream, 311 West Cordova St – 20 percent off everything

 

dutil, 303 West Cordova St – Everything will be on sale, from 10 to 80 percent off

 

Gentille Alouette, 277 Carrall St – 20 percent off nearly everything, with very few exceptions

 

John Fluevog, 65 Water St – Regular priced items are 10 percent off

 

LYNNsteven Boutique, 225 Carrall St – All fall/winter merchandise will be 50 percent off

 

 

100 percent off Commercial Drive Boxing Day sale at Mintage

Famous for its massive sales, including a $1–5 back alley sale this summer—the folks at Mintage (1714 Commercial Dr) will be holding its annual “up to 100% off” sale on clothing and accessories—both new and old. Known for vintage treasures, the store will be marking all items up to 100 percent off on Boxing Day—including big ticket items like leather jackets, sweaters and brands including Cheap Monday, Alternative Apparel, BB Dakota, Goorin, Brixton and their in-house line. The store opens at 10 a.m. so get in line early (sort of)!

 

Boxing Day studio clearance sale at Kali Trading

Down the street, Kali Trading (1000 Commercial Dr) will be having a Boxing Day special studio clearance sale, featuring 50 to 80 percent off Vancouver designed lines Gilmour and Black Swan.

 

Gilmour, the product of local talent, Elspeth Cooper, uses a blend of fabrics together with sustainable fibres like bamboo. Elspeth’s designs are favoured by all shapes and sizes and, many pieces in her collection easily transition from office to evening.

 

Black Swan Clothing, which is a mix of pret-a-porter and super-cozy, is locally designed by Tanya Meyer. Her main fabrics are supple rayon and spandex blends, and her pieces are popular for those who love to show off their international style.

 

Spank’s Boxing Day winter shoe and clothing blow out

At Spank On The Drive (1027 Commercial Dr) and Spank Shoes (1181 Commercial Dr), select merchandise will be 25 to 50 percent off—part of a larger winter sale that extends through Boxing Day (the same sale will be happening at the 4th Ave and Granville St stores). Spank’s house clothing brand Lost & Found will be on sale, including the Cheryl top (now $19, regularly $49), Kim skirt (now $59, regularly $65) and Taloma tunic (now $79, regularly $119).

 

And, don’t miss the Kits Spank Shoes (2066 4th Ave) sale featuring 25 to 75 percent off all winter shoes!

 

 

Main Street Boxing Day specials

Boxing Day is a new tradition on South Main—where more stores had remained closed on Boxing Day in the past. This year, many shops will be open for business. Sale stops include:

 

Barefoot Contessa, 3715 Main St – 40 to 50 percent off on most everything in the store (both the Main St and Commercial Dr locations will be open)

 

Eugene Choo, 3683 Main St – 30 percent off all seasonal merchandise

 

Front & Company, 3772 Main St – Front will be having their annual Boxing Day rummage sale, featuring 60 to 80 percent off many items and 10 percent off on all consignment

 

Hum Clothing, 3623 Main St – All regular priced dresses will be 25 percent off and all knits will be 20 to 30 percent off too

 

Life of Riley, 3695 Main St – 25 percent off everything in the store

 

Lip Lounge, 3628 Main St – 20 percent off everything in the store

 

Motherland, 3647 Main St – 20 percent off everything in the store

Umeboshi, 3638 Main St – 15 to 30 percent off everything in the store

 

 

As you can see, great deals on fabulous products can be found far away from downtown’s maddening crowds, and the parking lot grid lock created by big box buyers. So, this Boxing Day, plan to spend some time walking these ‘hoods. Even if you come away empty handed, you’ll at least have had a good walk, clearing the way for some more leftover turkey!

 

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Alex Samur is a Vancouver-based writer, managing editor of rabble.ca and Commercial Drive nomad who appreciates the fine arts of lace knitting, small-space gardening and a well-made espresso. Twitter