Y SHOPPING
Retail Spotlight
If you ’ re looking for a new local shopping experience , you may be surprised to find it in a mall as large and internationally recognized as West Edmonton Mall ( pg 35 ).
But thanks to the new RAAS Market , Edmonton-based retailers have a unique way of sharing their products with a new audience . RAAS offers turnkey retail space for local makers who want a low-risk opportunity to sell in a larger mall space but can ’ t afford the larger leases .
Mark Ghermezian , who helped develop the concept , says , “ The mall has done a great job of bringing in retailers from around the world that normally wouldn ’ t come to Edmonton , and we have the latest attractions and everything here .” But the desire was there to support the local makers , as he explains , “ We noticed there was so much great entrepreneurship and a community [ in the city ], and if we can unleash them
in some way , it ’ d be a great thing to do .”
RAAS MARKET
The feel of the space is different from the rest of the mall . Each retailer has their own white rectangle , cube , or triangle , which they can customize with their products , and RAAS provides them with a branded sign and all other shelving and sales equipment they need . Ghermezian says some shoppers feel that entering RAAS is like stepping outside of the mall and perhaps into a European alleyway .
Popular retailers who ’ ve tried out the experiment and expanded their business into the mall include Pura Botanicals , which sells natural skincare and beauty products ; Adesso , a men ’ s accessories line ; and Apollo Originals , stylish streetwear fashions . Shoppers will certainly be surprised by the incredible range of products made right here in Edmonton . “ We ’ re trying to create a place where we can unleash this creative community of locals in a really exciting way ,” says Ghermezian . “ It ’ s a unique shopping experience to meet the founders and the makers of these products .”
Visit raas . co to learn more about the RAAS shopping experience . — M . S .
PHOTO COURTESY PUBLICITY ROOM
This directory is a selection of establishments recommended by WHERE Edmonton .
Alberta has no provincial sales tax ( PST ); however , a 5 % Goods and Services Tax ( GST ) is applied to most items . Visitors from other countries can obtain a GST rebate for most goods purchased in Canada . For information call the Visitor Rebate Unit at 1-800-668- 4747 . If calling from outside Canada , 1-616-991-3346 .
Coordinates refer to maps on pages 51 to 53 .
ART SUPPLIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 BOOKSTORES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 BRIDAL SHOPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
COLLECTIBLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 CUSTOM FRAMING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 FARMERS ' MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 FASHION : CHILDREN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 FASHION : MEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 FASHION : UNISEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 FASHION : WOMEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 FLORISTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 GIFTS & KEEPSAKES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 GOURMET FOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 HEALTH & BEAUTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 HOME FURNISHINGS & DÉCOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 JEWELLERY & WATCHES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 KITCHENWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 LINGERIE & HOSIERY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 OUTDOOR WEAR & ACCESSORIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 SHOES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 SHOPPING CENTRES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 SPECIALTY SHOPS & SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 TOYS & GAMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
FOR FULL LISTINGS , PLEASE VISIT where . ca / edmonton
The following symbols , located at the end of each listing , denote the establishment ’ s location :
D — Downtown
N — North Edmonton S — South Edmonton W — West Edmonton
ART SUPPLIES
DESERRES As the largest retailer of art and craft supplies in Canada , this two-storey art store is a treasure trove of creative inspiration and guarantees a colourful shopping experience . Mon - Sat 10 am - 9 pm ; Sun 11 am - 6 pm . West Edmonton Mall , 8882-170 St ., 780-442-2205 . deserres . ca Map 4-K4 W
THE PAINT SPOT This store carries fine art materials of all kinds , and many top brands including Canadianmade product lines . Mon - Sat 9:30 am - 6 pm ; Closed Sun . 10032-81 Ave ., 780-432-0240 . paintspot . ca Map 2-L4 S
BOOKSTORES
AUDREYS BOOKS Audreys is an independent , locally owned bookstore that offers a large book selection for adults , young adults , and children . Quirky gifts , puzzles , games , toys , and greeting cards are also available . Audreys hosts a variety of literary events and author readings regularly . Mon - Fri 9 am - 9 pm ; Sat 9:30 am - 5:30 pm ; Sun 12 pm - 5 pm . 10702 Jasper Ave ., 780-423- 3487 . audreys . ca Map 3-C5 D
MANDOLIN BOOKS AND COFFEE Located in Edmonton ' s historic Highlands district , this is a cozy retreat to relax at . Enjoy a latte or herbal tea and a bit of baking while browsing a wide selection of quality used books . Free WiFi is available . Mon - Fri 8 am - 9 pm ; Sat - Sun 9 am - 9 pm . 6419-112 Ave ., 780-479-4050 . mandolinbooks . com Map 1-E3 N GIFTS
WEE BOOK INN Established in 1971 , this renowned used bookstore buys , sells , and trades books of all interests and fiction genres , with an impressive selection that gives readers everything from new releases to rare first editions . Daily 9 am - 12 am . Downtown : 10328 Jasper Ave ., 780- 423-1434 . Map 3-E5 North : 8101-118 Ave ., 780-474-7888 . Map 1-D3 South : 10310 Whyte ( 82 ) Ave ., 780-432-7230 . weebookinn . com Map 2-J3 D N S
BRIDAL SHOPS
DAVID ' S BRIDAL This well-known chain of bridal salons showcases a wonderful selection of exclusive designs for brides , affordable options for bridesmaids , great gowns for prom and other special occasions , and more . Collections from Vera Wang and other top designers are available in-store . Mon - Fri 10 am - 9 pm ; Sat 10 am - 6 pm ; Sun 12 pm - 6 pm . South Edmonton Common , 10185-13 Ave ., 780-437-0179 . davidsbridal . ca Map 5-H4 S
Need something special for your valentine ? Visit one of the cool gift shops listed on page 32 .
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2018 // where . ca 29