CANADA - ALBERTA - EDMONTON : THE JOY OF SHOPPING
by Tuppence Keith



Attention shoppers! Shop until you drop takes on a whole new meaning in Edmonton (EDMONTON HOTELS).

They didn't pave paradise in this city, they transformed it into a retail destination. You can, and should, think big when planning an outing to Edmonton's extensive range of shopping attractions.
 
No true shopper should miss West Edmonton Mall - just step right up and find yourself in the middle of what's easily described as the greatest indoor show on earth. There are more than 800 stores and services, over 100 eating establishments to choose from and that's just for starters.
 
North America's largest one-stop, over-the-top place to shop – equivalent in size to 48 city blocks – comes with its own hotel (there are actually two to choose from) and nine world-class entertainment attractions. Need a break to recharge your shopping batteries? Then try the mall's water park and wave pool or take a spin around the world's largest indoor amusement park – it's amazing what you'll find here all under one roof.
 
For shoppers who savour the big-box store experience – from fashion to electronics and more – Edmonton rolls out another North American retail milestone. South Edmonton Common weighs in as North America's largest open-air retail development, where power centre shopping transcends to the next level with offerings of more than 100 stores and services.
 
Combine the two – 2.3 million square feet at South Edmonton Common and 5.3 million sq. ft. at West Edmonton Mall – and one can easily see why bigger is better when it comes to the joy of shopping.
Department store aficionados, meanwhile, can find two of western Canada's largest Sears stores at Kingsway Garden Mall and Southgate Centre, two of seven major Edmonton shopping centres.

But you'll quickly find that Edmonton isn't just a mall world after all – despite the fact that the city was also the home to Canada's first shopping centre back in 1955.
 
There's a rich choice of shopping districts to choose from, where visitors will come across a wealth of independent retailers and a fascinating array of unique merchandise to purchase.
 
Old Strathcona for example, known for its charm and its nightlife, has been named one of the 10 best shopping districts in Canada. Amid its historic buildings, the shopping fare ranges from locally produced to name brands known for their panache. You'll find the ultra-cool American Apparel, lululemon and its highly sought after yoga-inspired athletic apparel, fashionable footwear from Gravity Pope – a growing independent chain that started in Edmonton – to charming boutiques with captivating selections of arts and crafts, accessories, books, home décor, unusual gifts and collectibles.
 
The shopping destinations of 124th Street and the High Street area, meanwhile, minutes from downtown and literally steps away from each other, provide a quaint backdrop to more than 125 of their own enticing stores. One will find an assortment of antique and specialty stores, home décor options, books and must-have knickknacks. Art lovers will also find this area a must see, with a large number of Edmonton's art galleries calling this part of town as their home.
 
But with so many stores and possibly so little time, where should one start?
 
If designer names are on your shopping list, try heading downtown to Holt Renfrew, Canada's leading fashion specialty department store for men and women. At the same time you'll find yourself in the middle of the downtown shopping hub that encompasses Commerce Place, Manulife Place and Edmonton City Centre.

Joining Holts in Manulife Place is Birks, a well-known Canadian name in luxury jewellery, and Henry Singer, for the man looking for world-class clothing options.
 
But before heading to Place Escada in Commerce Place or Edmonton City Centre, with its more than 170 stores to choose from, including Eddie Bauer, The Gap, HMV and Nine West, head over to Bernard Callebaut Chocolates while you're still in the Manulife mall. The to-die-for delectably, sinful chocolate delights are not to be missed.
 
If you're a shopaholic – or even if you just want to be on top of the latest the world of retail has to offer – West Edmonton Mall is where you'll find a wide variety of the world's cutting-edge merchants. Mandarina Duck's first North American store – the Italian retailer specializes in backpacks, luggage, purses and more – can be found there as well as the first Make Up Store to open in Canada – the chain is one of Sweden's fastest growing retailers. There are many more examples and the mall owners report that they will continue to add unique, new retailers to their tenant mix.
 
Bargain hunters should check out the outlet stores at South Edmonton Common, including Tommy Hilfiger, Liz Claiborne and the Designer Depot but may also want to browse through the large selection of the non-outlet offerings while they're there.
 
A little off the beaten path, and not too far from the downtown core, is Dots – a true Edmonton experience if you're into fashion at discount prices. Tucked away in a corner on 105th Street, Dots offers a wide assortment of fashion choices – for both men and women – at incredible prices. But expect to spend some time there sorting through a multitude of clothing racks.
 
Fashionistas, meanwhile, should definitely consider some of the uniquely Edmonton offerings. Maggie Walt Designs on Jasper Avenue, is an Edmonton designer with an East meets West fashion flair. Or try Who Cares?, another Jasper Avenue boutique that caters to the career woman, and adds a selection from local designers.
 
So whether it's for clothes (or other) encounters of the shopping kind, you'll find that Edmonton is your passport to the retail wonders of the world.


SCIBBLES ETCETERAS
 
• Edmonton's Westmount Shopping Centre was the first shopping centre in Canada and the second shopping centre opened in North America. Westmount opened on Oct. 20, 1955, and is still in operation.

• Edmonton is home to West Edmonton Mall – North America's largest mall – and North America's largest power centre, South Edmonton Common.

• An estimated 22-million people visit West Edmonton Mall each year. It has an employee population of almost 24,000 people.

• Retailers find Edmonton as one of the most attractive retail markets in Canada with some making the city their initial destination when they enter the country.

• A number of major Edmonton retail destinations including West Edmonton Mall, South Edmonton Common and Southgate Centre are in expansion mode, either adding new retailers or having recently announced expansion plans.

• Finding Sophiesrubies, operated by Edmonton shopping guru Judy McDonald, is a unique way to shop the city's shopping gems. McDonald runs shopping tours that can be tailored to meet individual or group requirements. Whether you're looking for the scoop on how best to shop the mammoth West Edmonton Mall or that special shopping outing, consider contacting McDonald through the Sophiesrubies.com website.

• There is no provincial sales tax in Alberta; shoppers only pay the six per cent federal Goods and Services Tax (GST).


EDMONTON HOTELS

ALBERTA HOTELS

Photo: Old Strathcona shopping. Courtesy Edmonton Tourism
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