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Shopping local in Victoria
Explore the vibrant world of shopping in Victoria, a city that does local unlike anywhere else. As a conference delegate, you’ll discover a rich tapestry of artisans and craftspeople, offering unique products that reflect the city’s distinctive charm. With exclusive offers through the Victoria Conference Centre VIP Program, your shopping experience is elevated, blending convenience with the opportunity to support the local community. Each purchase becomes a meaningful connection to the culture and creativity that define Victoria.
Indigenous owned
For over ten-thousand years the Indigenous peoples of Greater Victoria have stewarded the lands and waters of the region. Living harmoniously with the lands, these first peoples crafted a distinctive art-style that celebrates both nature and spirituality. Out of the Mist Gallery proudly carries the trading tradition of Victoria, that’s been alive since time immemorial. Discover, classic and contemporary Northwest Coast Indigenous art, including masks, baskets, button blankets, and even totem poles in their extensive collection. One of the leading Indigenous art galleries in the world, Mark Loria Gallery, specializes in contemporary fine art from the Indigenous peoples of Canada’s Northwest Coast, where you can find fine print collections, paintings, carvings, jewellery, and more. Or visit Aunty Collective Indigenous Creative Practice Hub, who provide Indigenous and gender-diverse artists from Greater Victoria and across Canada with an accessible commerce platform, where they share their creative practices, including everything from art and clothing, to food, medicine, and hands-on learning opportunities.
Delicious Disoveries
Victoria is a foodie’s city, a place where fresh-flavours and playful creativity combine to make a food-scene like no other. Sadly, when it comes to travelling well, not all food is created equally, but these local establishments will help you bring the flavours of Canada’s Pacific coast home with you, wherever home may be. A National Historic Site of Canada, Rogers’ Chocolates is worth a stop just to fill your photo album, but their sweet selection of locally made chocolates do just as good a job filling your belly. Be sure to bring home a box of Victoria Creams. With its regal influence, named for Queen Victoria herself, Victoria indulges itself in the royal treatment with a spot of Afternoon Tea. While it can be hard to sneak a three-tiered tray past airport security, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the city’s best tea home with you. Check out local tea shops like Murchie’s Tea & Coffee, where you can choose from a selection of the world’s finest coffees and teas, or Silk Road Tea, where you can find distinctively west coast blends, curated by Canada’s Queen of Tea, Daniela Cubelic (we recommend the Seamist Herbal Tea, which features a restorative seaweed note). Discover the flavours of Italy in the heart of Victoria, at Victoria Olive Oil Co. This interactive tasting room of extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars source both products from Modena, Italy. In addition to their selection of oils and vinegars you can find gourmet foods, gift baskets, and local goodies.
Local reads
When you’ve been around for ten-thousand years, you have some stories to tell! Whether telling the tale of the city itself, or one of a city many worlds away, our local authors put their distinctively Victoria style into their work from pen to press. Uncover the city’s best local authors at bookstores such as Munro’s Books, once named the 3rd best bookstore in the world, or Russell books, the largest independent bookstore in Canada. If used books are your thing, be sure to check-out Bastion Books. Located in historic Bastion Square, Bastion Books has great selection of vintage books.
Uniquely Victoria
By now you know, Victoria is not like anywhere else. And much like the city itself, Victoria’s local artisans and makers do things in their own unique way. Find that perfect something that’s as original as your time in Victoria with these local retailers. Victoria Market Collective offers a mini-market experience profiling dozens of local and Canadian makers, artisans, designers, and food producers. The folks at Puzzle lab offer one-of-a-kind, first-of-its-kind, heirloom-quality jigsaw puzzles decorated by contemporary artwork from local and Canadian artists. Find the works of Canadian artisans at 4 Winds Nest Artisan Boutique, who have everything from soaps to hand-made pottery, jewellery and more. Find something for everyone on your shopping list at Oceanside Gifts on the lower causeway of Victoria’s iconic Inner Harbour. Whether you’re looking for souvenirs, Canadian-made finds, First Nations artwork, or edutainment pieces for children, Oceanside is sure to have what you’re looking for.
Wearable art
Victoria has an infectious style all its own. Add a splash of the city’s sophisticated yet quirky, laid-back energy to your look at these local shops. Browse the world’s largest selection of hand-crafted Canadian jewellery at Artina’s Jewellery and choose from the works of over 100 of Canada’s top designers, including First Nations and contemporary Canadian jewellers. Find a little bit of everything at Merchant Quarters General Store. Located just a block away from the Victoria Conference Centre, Merchant Quarters has everything from big brands to Canadian and local designers. Find shoes, cosmetics, jewellery, artwork, and more amidst Merchant Quarters extensive selection of goods.
BC in a box
Bring a piece of BC home with you. Stop by the Royal Museum Shop at the Royal BC Museum and discover a range of gifts that carry a distinctly BC flare, including art, jewellery, books, music, toys, clothing, and more. When you shop at the Royal Museum Shop, you’re helping support the future of the Royal BC Museum, as all the proceeds from the shop go directly towards supporting the museum’s programs and events. While you’re there, be sure to check out some of the free exhibits, such as All Things Terry or The Pocket Gallery, on the main floor just steps from the shop.
VIP Program
As a thank you for attending your event in Victoria, the Victoria Conference Centre partners with many local businesses for the Victoria Conference Centre VIP Program. Through the program, present your delegate badge at participating local businesses for exclusive offers and deals. You can enjoy everything from discounts on retail, to savings on attractions, spas, dining and more.
Destination Greater Victoria
600-765 Broughton Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1E2
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