Visiting the Sunshine Coast and looking to take home a souvenir for that hard-to-shop-for friend? Forgot a crucial piece of gear for your hiking or kayaking trip? On the hunt for a specific item to add to one of your collections? These specialty stores on the Sunshine Coast can help.
We've put together a list of places to shop if you're in need of anything from secondhand kids clothes to skateboard essentials or art supplies.
Happy shopping!
Sporting Activities & Goods
The Sunshine Coast boasts incredible outdoor recreation. Luckily, outdoor sporting goods stores in Sechelt and Powell River offer well-stocked and popular items, including camping gear, SUPs, and clothing, so you can rest easy knowing you're well prepared for the adventure ahead. Trail Bay Source for Sports (Sechelt), Alpha Adventures (Sechelt), and Powell River Outdoors carry brand names and technical gear for a wide range of activities that range from mild to wild, including fly-fishing, hiking, camping and sports.
Powell River's Townskate is the only dedicated skate shop on the Sunshine Coast. This family-owned business specializes in all things skate (and skate-adjacent), from skateboards to trucks to wheels. They've also got in-house merchandise, including t-shirts, stickers, and hats, plus other skate-approved brands like Brixton, towels from Slowtide (perfect for post-skate dips), and more. Skimboarder in tow? They've got those too, just make sure to swing by the long, sandy beaches of Texada Island to take them for a spin. Bonus: Townskate also offers repairs and lessons.
Hobbies and Art Supplies
Inspired by the landscape and beauty of the local area? You're not the only one. The Sunshine Coast is home to one of Canada's largest populations of artists per capita, and at qathet Art & Wares, you can find everything you need to put pen or paint to paper and capture your own artistic inspiration. They carry quality art supplies for artists of all ages and abilities, including Canadian favourites Beam Paints and Tri-Art, and industry leaders like Golden, Gamblin, Winsor & Newton, Strathmore, Stonehenge, and Hahnemüle.
Knitters and sewists will tell you one thing: their "stash" is never done. They're always room for one more square of fabric, and in this case, a ball of yarn. Great Balls of Wool is a local crochet and yarn shop that's a knitter's paradise, with two sister locations—a main store in Powell River, and a studio location in Lund that's open by appointment. There's gorgeous yarn in a wide range of colours spun from alpaca, merino sheep, or Angora goat—all ethically and transparently sourced. Not a knitter, but inspired to try? Their selection of needles and hooks will help get you on your way, plus they offer patterns, accessories, buttons, and other tools.
You'll also find the Knitter's Nest in Townsite Public Market, and on the Southern Sunshine Coast, you'll find Sew Easy and Fibre Expressions Quilt Shop in Sechelt, and Quilt & Bobbin in Gibsons.
Kids’ Clothing, Toys, and Accessories
In need of gear for a growing kid? Coast Kids Reshop is your solution. This beloved secondhand shop in Gibsons offers much-needed kids clothing that is both affordable and sustainable. As a fellow parent, the owner of Coast Kids knows what families and little ones are after and makes sure to stock in-demand items seasonally. Forgot a pair of gumboots on your trip during the rainy fall season? Need a few extra layers for winter outings? Chances are you'll find them here. Buying preloved items keeps costs down, while contributing to a circular economy. And when you're done with them? Consign them, or pass them on—Coast Kids Reshop approves.
Looking for more? Gibsons is also home to Peggy Sue's, which offers apparel and products for kids in every stage of life. For a selection of toys and games, head to Huckle and Berry Kids in Powell River.
Adult Clothing and Accessories
Across the Coast, independent clothing boutiques sell everything from highly curated women's items to locally-made jewelry and rugged, Pacific Northwest-inspired gear. In Powell River, check out Westcoast Thick, Maree Alexandra Studio, and Eunoia Fibre Studio & Gallery. In Sechelt, Cowrie Street plays host to a number of women's clothing stores, including Fosello's, Fort, Blue Magnolia, and Moorestock Outfitters. In the Gibsons and Roberts Creek area, look for Kostl Elmnts, Strathcona Studios, Hunt & Gather Vintage, Zócalo, and Neighbourhood Vintage (located in The Kube).
Books and Records
Independent bookstores are cornerstones of community and Talewind Books in Sechelt is no exception. This local shop offers carefully curated items that celebrate life across the Coast, and stocks memoirs, short stories, and non-fiction from the Pender Harbour-based Harbour Publishing company, along with carrying other books and puzzles by local authors. For fans of fiction, don't worry—their new release and popular reads section is consistently updated, and they also stock cookbooks, biographies, historical reads, and more.
Don't miss Upstart Upstairs, a small shop tucked above Persephone Brewing's taproom in Gibsons. They offer a carefully curated selection of page-turners, comfort classics, literature in translation, deep dives, and stories about exploring the Sunshine Coast, from its shorelines to literary culture. Once you're done browsing, head downstairs where you can tuck into a pint and your next read.
Over at the charity-run EarthFair Store in Pender Harbour, you'll find eco-conscious, sustainable living reads perfect for the avid gardener, naturalist, chef, carpenter, or adventurer. And both Kingfisher Used Books, located along Marine Drive in Powell River, and Reasons to Live Books & Records, located in Molly's Lane in Gibsons, offer a great selection of preloved and used reads. (Reasons to Live also offers extremely niche and fun t-shirts and tote bags.)
Home Goods
Eco-freako, in the heart of Roberts Creek, offers a good selection of ethically sourced and planet-friendly goods—all intended to help you and your loved ones embrace a lifestyle aligned with nature. There's everything from home goods, like naturally-derived loofahs and pine crayons to household scouring powder and medicinal teas, plus natural and organic pet and baby-friendly items. Look for the 4 Friends Essential Oils blend, a proprietary mix designed to help you boost your immune system.
Preloved homewares are on display at Redecor, a boutique shop located along Cowrie Street in downtown Sechelt. Redecor focuses on unique objects, art, and design (think curated, not consignment) that span everything from mid-century modern pieces to well-loved antique and vintage finds. Redecor stocks both big and small items, whether you're looking for that perfect table, or just a tableside addition. It's worth popping in each time you're on the Coast—these one-off treasures don't last long and new stock is constantly being added.
For gorgeously curated homewares, including one-off locally-made pieces, art and apparel, swing by The Kube in Gibsons and Little Hive in Powell River.
Gift Shops
From local art to Sunshine Coast-themed soaps, these gift shops can help you take home a piece of the Sunshine Coast long after your trip has come to an end.
For the seasoned or aspiring gardener, Boutique in the Creek is a must-stop. This part-garden, part-gift shop in Roberts Creek sells starter kits and seeds, indoor plants including ferns and succulents, gorgeous pots and planters, bird feeders and bee houses, and more. Think nursery, only highly curated and less overwhelming. You'll also find a selection of other giftwares including candles, cards, and more.
The Salty Sailor Gift Shop in Gibsons has small knick knacks and gifty-items, perfect souvenirs for friends and family, while the nearby Gibsons Public Art Gallery features a small gift shop with works from local artists. Be on the lookout for items like art cards, jewelry, and paintings and prints. And over in Powell River, Paperworks Gift Gallery features items like games, art, housewares, and clothing. A sign outside reads "Cool Stuff," and it rings true—there's a ton of cool stuff waiting to be discovered inside.
Sunshine Coast Souvenirs
On the Northern Sunshine Coast, the Powell River Visitor Centre carries a wide range of Powell River and qathet souvenirs and items like clothing, books, and keychains.
On the Southern Sunshine Coast, the Gibsons Visitor Centre and Sechelt Visitor Centre both sell a similar array of Sunshine Coast-themed souvenir items. Grab a brightly-coloured reusable water bottle to keep sustainability in mind while you travel, or don a new t-shirt featuring popular Sunshine Coast locations, like Skookumchuck Narrows. Need a small gift that says a lot? Brighten up any day with stickers, postcards, or cuddly stuffed animals.
Click here to learn more about shopping on the Sunshine Coast.
