SHAPER STUDIOS

Despite the temperature of the ocean that surrounds the Pacific Northwest, Vancouverites cannot resist the chance to jump in. From paddle boarding to windsurfing and surfing, we take pleasure in watching our extremities turn blue. The ocean affords you a unique perspective of the city that few get to experience.

Which is where Shaper Studios comes in. 

Both Mitch and Nate, owners of Shaper Studios Vancouver, learned to surf abroad - Mitch first jumped on a board 15 years ago during a trip to Australia, and then chased the waves in Costa Rica and New England during hurricane season. Nate comes from Hawaii, so chances are he learned to surf before he could walk. They started to teach themselves how to make their own surfboards out of a garage on King Edward Avenue, using YouTube videos and trial and error to create something that was both functional and beautiful. From that process, Learning Curves was established in 2013, providing the tools, materials and knowledge to teach everyone and anyone how to make their own boards. 

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REVOLVER

Life moves fast. Everything seems rushed under the guise of convenience and efficiency, though too often time is not being taken to do the job right. Revolver, however, believes in taking the time to craft the perfect cup of coffee. Apparently, that takes exactly four minutes. Each cup is brewed in its own glass chemex decanter, with its own timer. The precision pays off with delicious coffee that tastes like it's supposed to. 

Revolver offers a rotating cast of small roasters from around the world and the day's offerings are posted on their website. Regulars include Ritual from San Francisco and Anchored from Nova Scotia, though Revolver offers a special every day if you would rather leave the decision-making to someone else. A limited selection of baked goods are also available and make for a tasty snack. If you are lucky enough to be visiting in the summer, order one of the cold brews - it's perfection for any coffee lover.

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THE FOUND AND THE FREED

The Found and The Freed was started as a popup shop by Ainsley McIntyre and Lindsay Burke in 2010. They found a more permanent location in 2013 within the historic Scott's Market at Victoria Drive and East Hastings Street. Ainsley and Lindsay travel across BC and the USA to find the store's unique items. A curated collection of antiques and artifacts, this store sells everything from candles and honey to maps and old books (including a copy of the City of Vancouver By-laws from 1944 - now a permanent fixture in our collection), to vintage stools and drawers.

The store's pièces de resistances are the transit scrolls salvaged from Vancouver's busses. The roles have been cut to manageable (and displayable) sizes, with seven or eight stops per piece. In an age where everything is going digital, it's nice to have a piece of Vancouver's history (especially if you can remember the bus drivers rolling the scrolls as they came to the end of the line).

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THE STANLEY THEATRE

The Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage was opened by the Granville Theatre Company as a cinema and Vaudeville House in December 1930. Designed by architect Henry Holdsby Simmonds, the theatre features a neoclassical interior and an Art Deco Exterior. The vertical neon Stanley sign was added in 1940, and the horizontal sign in 1957.

The theatre was purchased by Famous Players in 1941, but was put up for sale in 1991 due to declining revenues. On September 25, 1991 the Stanley Theatre ran its last movie, Fantasia. The theatre remained unused until its renovation as a stage for the Arts Club in 1998. Today, the heritage venue features musicals and plays, adding life to the South Granville neighbourhood.

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PLATFORM 7

Platform 7 Coffee Brew Bar is best described as a truly unique coffee culture experience.

Walking into the café, you know you have entered a coffee addict's haven. Platform 7 chose Portland's Stumptown Coffee Roasters as their flagship coffee roaster. The Brew Bar provides hand crafted coffee in every possible variation: pour over, French press, siphon, cold brew, iced coffee, shakerato, martini style, shakuato, and even a tasting flight. They also offer espressos, prepared in their handmade La Marzocco Strata machine from Florence, Italy. French style baked goods are displayed on the behind a glass case, with gluten free, dairy free, and vegan options. Coffee is clearly a big deal here (in a friendly, unintimidating way).

The design of Platform 7 is as much a part of the experience as the coffee, reminiscent of a Victorian London train station with reclaimed wood floors, exposed brick walls, and bench seating. Combined with the backlit vaulted glass ceiling, you may think you have stepped into King Cross Station. Hidden at the back of the café is an urban version of The Secret Garden. Find a bench among the planters and pretend you are in some faraway country (it helps when the weather cooperates). 

On a sunny day, we recommend a glass of Stumptown's Nitro Cold Brew Coffee (the coffee is infused with Nitro and dispensed on tap to give it a creamy taste and a foamy head just like your favourite craft beer) with a chocolate cookie in the back garden. Close your eyes and you might start to think you're somewhere between Portland and London. 

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KALIBO

Vancouver's stunning scenery often overshadows everything else the city has to offer.  However, beneath its outdoorsy persona is a thriving cultural scene. As much as The Local Visitor wants to introduce you to areas of Vancouver that you can't read about in your traditional guide book, we also want to introduce you to some of the people that contribute to making this one of the best cities in the world. 

In a house tucked within the Kensington-Cedar Cottage neighbourhood lies a room filled with an array of music equipment and electronics. The room (and the instruments within it) belongs to Joel Jasper, aka Kalibo, a self-described 'bedroom producer' who creates tracks using a mix of home recordings and found samples to create a unique sound. The music is uplifting and full of vibes, drawing on '80s funk lines and moving percussion. 

Joel's interest in dance music started at university where he started to make mixtapes and demos for house parties. He immersed himself in Vancouver's local music scene while advancing his musical education at home. He started to DJ at some of the more mainstream clubs and bars in the city but found he had little control over the set list, leaving him deflated with Vancouver's music scene and with his own creative development. In 2012, Joel moved to South Korea to teach English. It was there that he was able to find a venue for his musical creativity.

Joel started playing a weekly Friday night residency in Busan, South Korea, at an ex-pat bar fittingly called Almost Famous, which allowed Kalibo to have complete creative control. Having the freedom to experiment with an international audience reignited Joel's spark for DJing and producing. Upon his return to Vancouver, Joel organized a showcase of local producers and beat makers around the city. Meeting these likeminded people boosted his confidence in the scene and led to new collaborations. Joel continues to release new material frequently on his Soundcloud page and performs sets at some of the city's popular electronic based venues like 303 Columbia, Fortune Sound Club, The Waldorf, and Celebrities. He's working on a new live set using a control pad to trigger and manipulate his songs live, allowing him to better react to the energy of a show and to change his music accordingly. This method of preforming leads to more organic and natural feeling music, which would otherwise dive into the pitfall of structured and mechanized music.  

When he's not performing or making music, Joel can be found at Third Beach along the seawall or hiking the Cabin Lake or Eagle Bluffs trails on Cypress Mountain. 

You can see Kalibo perform this Sunday at The Waldorf before French House pioneer Fred Falke.


BUFALA

This pizzeria is the newest addition to Kerrisdale's restaurants, and is a much needed breath of fresh, trendy air.

Opened by James Iranzad and Josh Pape (who grew up in the area), Bufala is a family-oriented spin off of the pairs' Gastown restaurant, Wildebeest. The atmosphere of Bufala encourages lively conversation and family-style sharing (sometimes with the group next to you), attracting the very young, the very old, and everything in between... After all, it is Kerrisdale

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TROUT LAKE

Officially called John Hendry Park (though most Vancouverites call it Trout Lake Park), this 27 hectare area was once the site of the Hastings Sawmill, which used the lake as its water source. In 1926, John Hendry's daughter donated the land to the Park Board under the condition that it be named after her father. A community centre was constructed on the site in 1963, called Trout Lake Community Centre. 

The park is always bustling with people using the community centre's ice rink (renovated for the 2010 Winter Olympics) or taking advantage of the playing fields, trails, basketball and tennis courts, play structures, baseball diamonds... This is also the first site of the Vancouver Farmers Markets. What started out as 14 farmers in 1995 has quickly grown to be one of the most popular farmers markets in the city. It's open every Saturday between 9am and 2pm from May 9th to October 24th and is definitely worth a visit.

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BATARD

We were first introduced to Bâtard by a family friend who claims this is where to find one of the best croissants in the city. We went expecting a good croissant, but did not expect to find a French style bakery and café with so much more than croissants. 

Bâtard is the union of Chris Brown (the owner and baker of Rise Artisan Bakery) and Elsie Born (from Finest at Sea), who wanted to create a hub for all things 'food'. Located in a one-hundred year old building with exposed brick walls and antique furniture, this café prides itself on its old fashioned ambiance and quality edibles.  

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OLD FAITHFUL SHOP

If you've ever wanted to walk into a Kinfolk spread, look no further.

Old Faithful stocks its shelves with supplies that are tried, tested and true. Calling itself "Your Modern Day General Store", it provides Vancouverites with an array of quality, vintage-inspired homewares for everyday living. From denim aprons to marble cheeseboards, these items are designed to last. Co-owners Walter Manning and Savannah Olsen were inspired by Manning's grandparents' shops in Newfoundland, which acted not only as a general store, but also as a gathering place - a one-stop shop for all the community's needs.

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ELYSIAN COFFEE

Elysian Coffee has been serving quality coffee from carefully roasted beans since 2000. The company has grown from its humble storefront on 5th Avenue at Burrard Street to include two additional cafés and a roasting facility. As a pioneer in Vancouver's speciality coffee scene, Elysian has always kept quality and customer experience at the forefront of their process to remain one of the city's favourite places to enjoy quality coffee.

Elysian focuses on creating connections with the people they come into contact with, starting with the coffee farmers that grow the beans and ending with the satisfied customer. This culminates at their newest location in Mount Pleasant where  their roasting facility is on full display (it's an interesting process if you haven't seen it before). Elysian encourages customers to engage in the process and understand where their coffee comes from, how it's roasted, and how quality is controlled.  

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THE WHISTLER TRAIN WRECK

Deep in the forest along the banks of the Cheakamus River, a half hour walk from Whistler's Function Junction, lie half a dozen train cars scattered beside the tracks. Your imagination can run wild recreating the events that brought these cars to their resting place.

After coming up with multiple theories of our own, it came as a surprise to us to read Sarah Drewery's article - the cars were not actually involved in a wreck. Drewery, who is the executive director at the Whistler Museum, reveals that in 1956 the cars were loaded up with lumber and became stuck at a rock cut near their current position. Unable to move the cars out, a local logging outfit used two bulldozers to pry the cars loose. Once the cars were lifted out, they were placed in the woods where they remain. The cars have since been unofficially turned into an artist haven and a bike park. 

To see the train wreck for yourself, hike along the 6km trail (return) that starts at the Function Junction parking lot.  The hike is well signed and not very challenging, though snow can make it considerably harder. Most of the path is through the woods, but occasionally the trees part, opening up to vistas of the Cheakamus River.  For a detailed description of the trail we recommend following the instructions on Whistlerhiatus.com. 

cheakamus river

VANCOUVER FARMERS MARKETS

Vancouverites are obsessed with everything organic, local, and green. The Vancouver Farmers Markets offer all these things, in nine neighbourhoods around the city.  What started in 1995 now attracts 450,000 shoppers annually and $8.17 million of annual vendor sales. Farmers and food producers sell fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry, baked goods, artisan food products, and more recently, fish, beer, wine, and spirits.

The rotating cast of 265 small-scale BC farmers and local food makers makes each market unique every week.

Our Saturday plans usually involve walking or biking to one of the nearby markets. Somehow we always manage to (conveniently) arrive hungry, allowing us to do some shopping before having lunch at one of the food trucks that are also (conveniently) stationed at the markets. 

Go here for a list of markets and more photos.

LIFETIME COLLECTIVE

Lifetime Collective launched in 2002 from a basement, largely as a graphic t-shirt production for the skate and snow community. What began as a collaboration between friends has become a lifestyle collection in a bricks and mortar establishment on Main Street. Not only has its location improved, but Lifetime has also expanded to include something for everyone (probably even your grandmother).  

The founders, Reid Stewart and Trevor Fleming, continue to design their collections. Stewart designs the Uniform Standard collection, designed for quality and value. Fleming designs the main collection, which focuses on quality fabrics and finishing for the boutique customer. 

Lifetime describes itself as, "A collection of wearable artwork and identity". Their designs focus on the creative community, working with artists, photographers, musicians, filmmakers, skateboarders and snowboarders to influence the brand, creating "wearable art". Their products are made in China, Argentina, Canada and the United States, and are sold throughout the world (and on their website). 

As if the clothing design and production weren't enough, Lifetime also produces Free Thinkers, a biannual zine that features artists and collaboration pieces, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. 

In addition to clothing and the zine, Lifestyle carries a range of accessories from ties and hats to cologne, ceramics and soap (the kind you could sniff all day). We are willing to bet that you can't walk out of this store without wanting to buy at least one thing.

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QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK

Queen Elizabeth Park is by no means a local secret (it sees nearly six million visits a year). However, few people (Vancouverites included) know the interesting history of the 52 hectare (130 acre) park. 

The site was originally a rock quarry, used to build the city's first roads, and housed two reservoirs for drinking water. The quarry was decommissioned by 1919, but the reservoirs remained. In1930 that the BC Tulip Association suggested the quarries be repurposed and transformed into sunken gardens. The Vancouver Park Board eventually took over the area and dedicated the park to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on their visit to the city in 1939. The Quarry Gardens, located west of Bloedel Conservatory, were unveiled in 1962 on the city's 75th anniversary.

The arboretum (west of the Quarry Gardens) was started in 1949 with a grant from the Canadian Pulp and Paper Association, with the objective of growing every Canadian tree species, particularly those with commercial importance. With annual donations of $5,000 from the Association until the 1950s, the arboretum contains examples of many Canadian tree species. It was eventually discovered, however, that many boreal forest special do not grow well in this climate, and exotic trees were planted instead.

The main attraction to the Park is Bloedel Floral Conservatory. It opened in 1969 thanks to a large donation from Prentice Bloedel that allowed a roof to be constructed over the reservoirs and the construction of the conservatory. The Conservatory contains a large variety of plants and tropical birds. It's a great place to warm up on a cold, rainy day!

While the tourists flock to the north side of the Park, the locals can be found on the south side at the Pitch and Putt, playing tennis, basketball, or roller hockey on the courts, lawn bowling, on the Frisbee Golf course, or log rolling down the hills.

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LE MARCHE ST. GEORGE

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This modest, unassuming building on a residential, tree-lined street has become a gravitational force for the surrounding community. Le Marché St. George is constantly buzzing with a community vibe that is electric and serene at the same time.

This tiny café is situated in an old heritage building at the corner of East 28th Avenue and St. George Street. With limited indoor and outdoor seating, patrons usually spill onto the sidewalk with their babies, dogs, bicycles, and neighbours. The fare is European, with crêpes and croissants served with coffee in bowls. If you are ever in need of a hostess gift, the shelves are lined with sauces, cordials, spices, and a variety of other, ever-changing household items.

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Le Marche St. George Outside
Le Marche St. George Compote

RAIN OR SHINE ICE CREAM

Everyone knows Vancouverites are addicted to certain things: exercise, the outdoors, lycra, and coffee are among the obvious. Our addiction to good dessert is perhaps less well known, but equally enjoyed. And in a climate that never really gets cold, there's always an appetite for ice cream.

Rain or Shine Ice Cream first opened in Kitsilano in 2013. A second location opened in Cambie Village at the end of March 2015, with a third apparently in the works. The husband-and-wife team that started Rain or Shine had a basic premise: to make homemade (in shop), local, sustainable, organic ice cream. The milk is sourced from Birchwood Dairy in the Fraser Valley. The other ingredients are sourced locally wherever possible, with hazelnuts from Agassiz, berries from the Fraser Valley, and craft beer from Vancouver. 

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CULPRIT COFFEE CO.

If the bright yellow exterior doesn't catch your attention, then the cute little racoon face on the sign should be enough to entice you in to this independent coffee shop. And if the friendly staff behind the counter don't make you want to stay a while, then the coffee and food definitely will. 

Located on a side street just off 4th Avenue, Culprit Coffee Co. describes itself as Vancouver's first fully dedicated gluten free coffee shop. For those of you who say that gluten-free-anything must taste like cardboard, be prepared to swallow your words (excuse the pun). For those of you who are always searching for the best gluten free treats, welcome home. 

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TOFINO

Growing up in a temperate rainforest, we have learned to put up with a lot of rain. We put on our rubber boots, get out an umbrella, and hunch our shoulders against the cold. And though we are used to it, we don't necessarily like it.

There is one place in BC, though, where the rain really enhances the place.

Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino is a small town of about 1,900 permanent residents. In the summer, the town's population grows exponentially with surfers, campers, whale watchers, and outdoor enthusiasts taking advantage of the nearby Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. While the town is a hotbed of activity in the warm, dry months, we prefer it in the winter.

Tofino has an average of 205 rainy days and receives more than 3,000mm of precipitation each year. From Long Beach, you can watch the storms roll in over the Pacific Ocean, bringing fork lightning and sheets of rain. Somehow, though, the rain here is an asset instead of a hindrance. And while the tourist population decreases in the wet months, the surfing, whale watching, and restaurants remain open.

For a small town, Tofino has lots to keep you occupied. We usually spend at least an afternoon wandering down Campbell Street and the surrounding blocks, going into the shops and warming up in the coffee shops. Pairing down our list of favourites is not easy, but here are a few places we try to visit whenever we go: 

- You cannot visit without stopping for lunch at the original Tacofino truck. 

- When in the surfing mecca of BC, it's important to do as the locals do: put on a wetsuit and surf. The Pacific Surf School was voted the number one surf school in Tofino, and featured in the National Geographic's Top Ten. The teachers are friendly and passionate, and will teach you everything you need to know to catch your first (and hopefully not only) wave.

- For what may be one of the best meals you will ever have, go to the Wolf in the Fog. Named Air Canada enRoute's 'Best New Restaurant' in Canada in 2014, this restaurant at first seems like a contradiction of fine dining within surfer's paradise. After your first bite, though, you will realize none of that matters.

- Whales are amazing creatures, and continue to be so no matter how many times you see them. For the ultimate whale-watching experience, we recommend Jamie's Whale Watching Station & Adventure Centre. The operators know the area like the back of their hands, and obviously respect the whales' space. We highly recommend the open zodiac-style boat - Jamie's provides pre-heated, insulated storm suits, which are almost as amazing as seeing the wildlife. And if you're especially lucky, you will also see sea otters lying on their backs, holding hands with each other. 

- The Eagle Aerie Gallery is Canadian artist Roy Henry Vickers' own gallery. Located within a traditional Northwest Coast longhouse, the gallery displays Vickers' original paintings, prints, reproductions, and carvings. Each piece has a corresponding description, which provides a narrative of the piece and the symbolism and mythology of the Northwest Coast peoples.