New Westminster is as cool as me (a middle-aged parent of 4 who drives a Toyota minivan, so you decide what my definition of cool is). Visit some time.
Bruncheria: Comfort Food That Doesn’t Care About Your New Year’s Resolution
First things first: let’s talk about Bruncheria. The first time I went here I was super angry that they had nothing keto-friendly on the menu. That anger faded and I ate my breakfast sans whole wheat toast. It's walking distance from my house, it has a patio, and the service is adequate. That really ticks all the boxes.
Wildfire Books: A Bookstore That Doesn’t Think You’re Basic
Do you like books, feminism, and social activism? Well then you will love Wildfire Books. It's located up the street from Orange Crush Velvet which is where you just went to get your used book, vintage jeans, and News Kids on the Block t-shirt, so you might as well stop by to get a book. This independent bookstore isn’t about selling the same tired bestsellers you see everywhere else. No, Wildfire is curated for people who actually read—not just collect books for their Instagram aesthetic (whatever that means). Whether you're into Filipino cozy mysteries, queer fiction, or teen unconventional romance, Wildfire’s got you covered.
Groovecat Books: Vinyl, Books, and the Overwhelming Desire to Look Cooler Than You Are
What did you say? You need a record and another used book? And you just finished your Jr. Bacon cheeseburger at Wendy's on 6th ave? Well then you should stop by Groovecat Books. The vintage record that is playing will brighten your dreary rainy day. Part record store, part bookstore, Groovecat is the place where your love for both music and literature can thrive. The owner has a cat. And it walks through the store sometimes. There's a creepy-sort-of vintage book book at the back of the store. It's fun.
Found Boutique: Vintage Fashion for People Who Actually Like to Look Good
Somehow you found yourself downtown on Columbia Street. Well, welcome to Found Boutique, where vintage style meets modern sensibilities in a way that you are also donating to charity. This is a very cute used clothing store with new items like candles and such. Spend your money here because it helps fund Union Gospel Mission which does great work for the homeless and people living in poverty in the Lower Mainland. Don't be an a-hole. Be part of the solution.
Antiques Alley: Where "Old" Doesn’t Mean "Useless"
Did you ever watch the 2012 Nickelodeon movie Rags a hundred times with your now 14 and 12 year old children? I did. And I still can't get enough of it. Well if you are like me (is anyone?) then you are all too familiar with the antique store in the movie, which is none other than Antiques Alley located on Front Street. This store is owned by an old hippie named Craig who asked me if my daughter and I were related, and then sold me a vintage velvet blazer and some antique license plates. It's classic crowded Lower Mainland antique store. I love it here.
Zesty Lemon: For When You Want to Feel Like a Health Guru
Psych! It's a women's clothing store. So, if you’re into clothes that don’t make you question your life choices (and your credit card balance), then The Zesty Lemon Clothing Co. might just be your new favorite store. It’s got everything you need to look like you’ve got your life together, even if you’re only wearing half of your outfit because the other half is still sitting in your laundry basket.
From effortlessly stylish dresses to cozy cardigans you’ll definitely wear once before they collect dust in your closet, Zesty Lemon has a collection that will make you look like you actually know what’s going on in the world of fashion. The best part? You won’t have to sell your organs to afford it. So go ahead—buy that trendy top you’ll wear once and then forget about, because Zesty Lemon understands that fashion should be fun, not a financial crisis. You're welcome.
Royal Farm Market & Kin’s Farm Market: For When You’re All About That Fresh Life
Look, we all know you're pretending to eat healthy, but let’s be real—sometimes a bag of chips just calls your name (listen up fatty) and you have no choice but to answer. That's where Royal Farm Market and Kin’s Farm Market swoop in like the responsible adults of the produce world. These markets are packed with fresh, locally sourced goodness that’ll make you feel like you've got your life together—at least until you get home and start binge-watching Netflix with a Snickers bar in hand. But hey, let’s definitely judge all the time, every time. Whether you’re stocking up on alfalfa sprouts (is that something people stock up on? Do people stock up on perishables?), pickled beets, or salmon pate, these places will make you feel like you’re winning at life—until you start Googling “best chocolate chip cookie recipes” at 2 a.m. (No one’s perfect, right?).
Goodway’s Specialty Foods: Bulk Heaven
Last but not least, Goodway’s Specialty Foods. This is the gem hiding in plain sight that you didn’t even know you needed. It's middle-aged ladies behind the counter, wearing white lab coats and teeing up bulk almond flour and pure vanilla extract. I didn't know I needed it, but now I can't live without it. It’s not flashy, but it’s friendly, cozy, and packed with high-quality, affordable products that’ll help you live a balanced, healthy life. Goodway’s specializes in everything from spices and grains to specialty coffee, and the selection is so much more diverse than what you’d find in a regular grocery store. It's got that old-school charm that makes you feel right at home, without all the hassle of the big-box experience.
New Westminster is Vancouver's little sister who really wants to be Pike Place Market when she grows up but unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) isn't American. I have lived here since 2010 and it's getting slowly gentrified. I do not know yet if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I guess I'll have to stick around to see.
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