shop local
We’re often asked for advice on the best place to shop for this or that but what does the best actually mean? We’ve given it some thought. What do we want to shop for when we’re exploring a new place – or even looking for new businesses to experience in the Valley? We look for local purveyors of goodness; small shops that support people, place, and planet through their craftsmanship and authenticity.
From cheesemongers to independent bookshops and spice boutiques, our local artisan scene is steeped in goodness. Transcending the typical, Okanagan small shops transport us to a world-filled with flavourful character and unusual experiences, a place where family gathers and visitors marvel.
While modest, our sampling of favourites will take you to the nooks and crannies of the Valley, off the beaten path to hidden gems, as well as to destinations in plain view.
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central okanagan | north okanagan | south okanagan
East Kelowna Community Market
East Kelowna
Website
For the past 80 years the historic East Kelowna Community Centre has been a gathering place for the locals. Today, it is the hub for many things including the Okanagans growing “Support Local Movement”. Every Sunday, artisans from around the central Okanagan display their wares inside the ancient building while others occupy outdoor areas filling the space with music, fresh fare, wine, and good old comraderie (COVID protocol permitting).
At it’s essence, the market exudes goodness, with kitschy crafters, well-known artists, local chefs, and hobby farmers gathering to share their creations. Our booth overflows with vintage handcrafted sweaters and weaves, including ponchos and Cowichan inspired knits. This is also the pick-up spot for our Responsible Travel Boxes and growing line-up of collectible Responsible Travel Bags.
Favourite thing: the variety and abundance of new items waiting to be discovered.
Karat Chocolate Boutique and Café
Kelowna
Website
We met Julian Helman when he began handcrafting chocolates from the basement of Mission Hills Winery in West Kelowna. Gifted an elegantly packaged box of tantalizing treats for Christmas 2016 - we were beguiled by their beauty, complexity of flavours, and the authentic humility of the artist.
Following Julian’s journey from the Café’s first commercial High Road location to the French boulangerie style Boutique and Café on Ellis, we have witnessed a sweet local experience grow to esteemed international influence.
No trip to Kelowna is complete without a visit to Karat Boutique and Café. As humble as he is talented, Julian and his team have been twice crowned the International Chocolate Awards Winner, most recently in 2020. His offerings have also grown to include the freshest, most gorgeous pastries, confections, and desserts imaginable.
Favourite things: 12 flavour box sets.
Funktional
Kelowna
Website
A visit to Kelowna simply must include a stroll on Bernard Avenue and a stop into Funktional. There’s something about the word apothecary that conjures up images of silky soaps, fragrant creams, and seductive potions – all of which can be found at this magical small shop in the heart of downtown.
More an emporium than a store, the boutique is akin to discovering a treasure chest of gems, eclectic gifts, and good vibes to rummage through – even though it’s look don't touch at the moment. Local and imported wares fill shelves and windows, dangle from the ceiling and adorn the walls delighting shoppers.
If you’re looking for a special gift, or just wanting to indulge your sense of whimsy, this is one of our favourite small shops for unique and funky items.
Favourite thing: Wax seal cuff from Plum and Posey.
Okanagan Lavender and Herb Farm
East Kelowna
Exquisitely handcrafted and infused with locally grown herbs and lavender, Okanagan Lavender and Herb Farm is a destination shop in the sun-kissed hills of East Kelowna. A fourth-generation family business, the farm and its purveyors of goodness create products that are good for the body, the earth, and the soul. There’s an intimate relationship that exists between people, place and planet, and a generational small shop.
Organically grown and made in small batches their creations are carefully curated and responsibly cultivated. A visit to the farm is a full-sensory treat and experience you must add to your itinerary when visiting Kelowna.
Favourite thing: Lavender neck pillow.
Bright Jenny
Vernon
We love this gritty little coffee shop that knows what it takes to grind it out through tough times. Originally our favourite mobile bean-stop these brewers could be found at local markets and were once located next to Karat Chocolate on High Road. That was then and this is now, today they occupy a bright and delightfully funky space just off the beaten path on Laurel Avenue.
A sustainable business, these roasters not only craft a fabulous cup of coffee and sell great beans, but they also use sip-in mugs or compostable cups to reduce their footprint on the planet. Their cups are made of 100% renewable sources and they use hay straws; 100% biodegradable, gluten-free, all-natural straws made from hay - plus, when you take away your perfectly roasted bag of beans, your packaging is compostable. We recommend you check out their custom swag.
Favourite thing: Finca La Bendita Costa Rica Brightside Coffee
Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery
Vernon and Kelowna
Okanagan Spirits is one of our favourite shops for all things cocktail-related. With locations in Vernon and Kelowna, this family-run operation is Western Canada's original craft distillery. Locally grown Okanagan fruits and grains infuse their award-winning spirits with an abundance of local goodness, plus their shops are amazing juxtapositions of traditional styling with an industrial flare.
Handcrafted sodas, mixers, and gift size offerings are delightfully displayed at both locations which offer flight-style tastings and carefully crafted cocktails. Okanagan Spirits also offers locally made hand sanitizer; they paused production of their spirits to fill critical shortages at the start of the pandemic.
The Vernon location is the larger of the two and boasts North America’s tallest copper pot still.
Favourite thing: Tie between the lavender Bees Knees or their Moscow Mule cocktail.
Zero Waste Chickpeace Refillery
Kelowna
Ethical and conscious shoppers will want to check out the sustainable wares offered at Chickpeace Refillery. Filled to the rafters with conscious choices you’re sure to find a responsibly good option for any task. A solid selection of bulk items and locally made wares are available at this new addition to the Valley’s zero-waste shopping options.
It's also the pick-up location for The Local Box, a carefully curated offering created by Craft Culture. The Box is designed to promote and share the wares of talented local artisans and in 2020 was voted the Best Local Products Box in Canada. We are proud to have our conscious bamboo face masks included in their Winter Wellness Gift Box.
Favourite thing: Craft Culture Local Boxes
The Okanagan Table
Kelowna
New to Kelowna but not unfamiliar, this micro-market is the creation of the talented team behind RauDZ Creative Concepts. Inspired by Chef Rod Butters cookbook, of the same title, the welcoming small shop is filled to bursting with the flavours of local goodness.
In addition to the enticing variety of artisanal goods crafted by their award-winning culinary team, they also offer a carefully curated variety of kitchen products sourced from local artisans, fresh and unusual produce delivered from surrounding farms, and a medley of spices and tasteful condiments.
With cooking classes on-hold, you can still purchase ingredients, order catered offerings, or purchase items to prepare meals in your own kitchen.
Favourite thing: Okanagan Table Cookbook.
Perseval & Young Cheesemongers
Kelowna
We’ve travelled near and far with an insulated backpack complete with a cutting board, cheese knife, and wine glasses (purchased at Quails Gate wine shop) so you can imagine our delight in finding a top-notch cheese shop in Kelowna.
There’s something about the old world-ambiance of coolers filled with wheels of cheese, slicers whirling, and wires snapping as local experts guide you through the intimacy of selecting the perfect cheese pairings for your picnic charcuterie.
Each wedge is weighed and wrapped in cheese paper, like a precious little gift. Not only does this create the perfect condition for natural ripening, but it is also much easier on the environment than the disposable plastic alternatives found in many grocery stores.
Favourite thing: Valbert cheese from Fromagerie Lehmann Quebec.
Grey Hearts Denim
Kelowna
Shop New, Reworked & Vintage - Vintage clothes, rediscovered and brought back to life. We love the ethos and smackdown authentic conversations these purveyors of goodness are having in the fashion industry. The Okanagan was more than ready for a men’s fashion shop steeped in social awareness, vintage vibes, and a reworked vision for sustainability. But that doesn’t mean a shop can survive on chat alone, they’ve got to have style and substance; we have it on authority - these guys are rocking on both fronts.
Carefully curated vintage clothing is offered, tailored, and redesigned in a slow-fashion tribute that simply is helping save the planet. Plus, they do top-notch alterations that put a whole new spin on the meaning of boyfriend jeans, ladies there are more than a few vintage items that with a few nips and tucks work well for the gals.
Favourite things: The vintage wool smoking sweater I stole from my son. Yaaas.
Quails Gate, The Market
West Kelowna
We love the way the farm-to-table movement has expanded to include intimate markets where carefully curated offerings are available for purchase in one convenient shop. The newest addition to the Quails Gate portfolio is The Market, a perfect marriage of wine and the natural flavours of the Okanagan.
A visit to this small shop is a visual treat worth taking if only for a peek into Allison House, the original homestead cabin on the vineyard property. Offering a delicious selection of artisanal cheeses, bread, and locally crafted spreads you can fill your picnic basket or create a charcuterie board that pairs perfectly with the vineyard wines, and breathtaking Valley views.
Favourite thing: 2018 Reserve Old Vines Foch
Bylands Garden Centre
West Kelowna
So much more than a Garden Centre, Byland's offers an eclectic collection of plants, household trinkets, locally crafted signs, and delightfully fresh bouquets. Specializing in beach-themed décor and kitschy Canadiana-inspired items it has a warm vintage vibe that just feels right.
From unique fashion accessories to handcrafted baby clothes and luxurious linens, expect to find the unexpected. On numerous occasions, we've meandered inside to pick-up a spring flower basket and returned with a treasure trove of whimsical accents to punctuate our seasonal décor.
Wandering through the indoor and outdoor spaces discovering hard-to-find fig-trees, native grapevines, and the perfect garden accent is a part of this local shopping experience.
Favourite thing: Hand-stamped barn board signs
Pizzamoreh Artisan Pizzaria
West Kelowna
A sensationally quirky local favourite for stone oven-baked pizza, this West Kelowna gem has expanded its offerings to include a small eclectic market, now that is a mouthful. Featuring everything local, seriously a little bit of this and a lot of that, it's hyper-focused on handcrafted sauces, meat, and cheeses.
You can drive through or dine-in, order charcuterie, or pick out your own picnic to pack in one of our custom bags. The atmosphere is contagiously upbeat, inspired, and infused with goodness plus, it's licensed. We are stoked, no pun intended, to welcome this mini-market to the south side of the bridge.
Favourite thing: the BBQ Flower thin crust pizza
Olive Us
Lake Country and Vernon
With two locations in the Okanagan, there is no excuse not to stop into an Olive Us. One of our favourite shops in the Valley, a trip to Lake Country or Vernon is never complete without a tasting. Long-time fans of dipping oils and balsamic vinegar we can attest to the densely delicious quality of their extra virgin olive oil - climatic when paired with a light and flirty white balsamic vinegar, or a deep and moody red.
The tasting room is a splendid marriage of old-world glamour meets industrial sensibility tastefully staged to accentuate a carefully curated inventory of spices, artisanal pasta, and locally sourced gourmet foods. Using recycled and repurposed materials throughout their shops and sharing tried and true recipes simply add to this special shopping experience.
Favourite thing: Grapefruit white balsamic vinegar
Camelot Haven Alpacas
Vernon
Certified Fair Trade, Camelot Haven Alpacas are outstanding purveyors of goodness and one of our favourite experiences and small shops in the Okanagan. Their rugged on-farm store is filled with premium quality hand-crafted Alpaca items made from responsibly sheared fibres; every item offered is carefully curated and collected by the owner.
We love Alpaca and own several sweaters, ponchos, and numerous pairs of socks. Their silky-smooth texture and water-resistant, anti-fungal, and antibacterial qualities make them perfect travel companions winter, spring, and fall, and an excellent choice for a compact wardrobe.
Favourite thing: hand-knit casual socks
Little Italy Market and Deli
Vernon
Remarkable Italian food makes up for this shop’s unremarkable first impression. Typical of mom-and-pop shops throughout Italy, this family-owned deli doesn’t waste a lot of time on cosmetics - they’re much more concerned with the quality and authenticity of their product. The Italian food and cuisine they craft is handmade and traditional, of cult status is their thin-crust capicola pizza.
You’ll find a fabulous assortment of cheeses, salami, vinegar, and oils as well as authentic green olives crisp to the bite. All of the ingredients used in their delicious thin-crust pizzas can be purchased for your own culinary experiments or picnic.
Favourite thing: Par-baked thin crust pizza
Locality
Vernon
Website
With a focus on sustainability and local love, Julia and Kate, a couple of girls from the Okanagan, curate the loveliest subscription gift boxes. Supporting the work of budding artisans and purveyors of goodness these entrepreneurial ladies also helped design the first subscription box for Jillian Harris, Kelowna’s local celebrity philanthropist. Their brick-and-mortar Vernon location remains the pick-up site for the Jilly Box as well other less-known but equally delightful offerings.
They stock local artisan-crafted products as well as the newest brands making waves in the Valley. Despite their rapid growth, they remain true to their vision of supporting local at their on-sight location and through on-line sales
Favourite thing: Josephina and Company scrunchies
The Village Cheese Company
Armstrong
This family-owned shop consciously crafts artisan cheeses from natural ingredients. Using their own old-fashioned recipes, master cheesemakers employ traditional methods to handcraft award-winning cheese. Using 100% whole Okanagan milk, the entire process from production to packaging is done on-site. The variety of cheeses is impressive, with their curds being a sought-after commodity in the Valley.
There is a small café and busy little market on-site. You’ll find a fabulous sampling of local products on the shelves, delicious ice cream in the freezer, and home cooking in the kitchen. A great place to fill your picnic basket or belly with authentic farm-to-table fresh food.
Favourite thing: Smoked Gouda cheese
Farmer John’s Market
Grindrod
Website
A family-owned dairy farm and market, this pick is full of locally sourced foods and farm-fresh products. We were introduced to Farmer John's on a tour of the area and had the opportunity to visit behind the scenes during calving season. It was an educational experience for us and one that has helped confirm our desire to support local farmers who treat their animals with goodness.
You’ll find locally produced meat and a good selection of seasonal produce in the market along with farm fresh eggs and baking. Their little storefront offers unique wares crafted by local artisans, a full-service homestyle restaurant, coffee bar, and small-town ice cream parlour. They offer large two-scoop waffle cones at super fair prices, a special treat, and good enough reason to stop in.
Favourite thing: Chocolate dipped waffle cone
85th Boutique
Osoyoos
We adore 85th Boutique, a historic family home modified into a delightful boutique experience. Not unlike mulling through the eclectic off-trend shops of Split or Paris, this is dangerous territory for women committed to maintaining a micro-closet or clutter-free lifestyle.
Each room of the boutique is full of treasures, an abundance of character, and intrigue – definitely the word I was looking for. Around every corner, you’ll discover fabulous fashion, stylized accessories, and unique home décor, all seemingly scattered yet carefully displayed. Elegantly effortless, the 85th celebrates fashion singularité by embracing the concept of quality over quantity. Be assured, there is nothing fast about this shopping experience.
Favourite thing: Oversized red sunhat