By Brian Lawrence
The Creston Valley area is home to a treasure trove of funky & chic boutiques selling one of a kind finds and local artisan studios featuring the crafty creations of local potters, painters, florists and more. If you’re planning a visit, carve out some time to explore these delightful spots. Trust us, you won't want to miss these hidden gems! Read on to discover the must-visit locales that will make your shopping experience unforgettable!
Stylish Boutiques & Funky Shops
One of the newest downtown shops is The Grater Good, which has an amazing collection of kitchenware, cookbooks and seasonal items for sale — a must-stop for any foodie. And don't miss VR Sudz n' Stuff, a charming shop that creates bath and skin care products right there in the shop!
While on Canyon Street you might also want to pop by Pageboy Studio to hunt through their collection of vintage clothes and other funky wares. Finally drop into the stylish Modern Alchemy and Public Vinyl for eco-friendly sustainable housewares, fair trade clothing, organic body products and to dig through their impressive collection of records!
Looking to get something for friends and family back home? For local gift shopping downtown you might also want to pop into Tigz Teas & Gifts or Creston Card & Stationery. At the corner of Canyon Street and 10th Ave. N. Koots Roots Gifts, located at the Creston Food Junction, has a lovely selection of Creston Valley-made products! South of town, Legend Logos is a First Nations gift store that features a wide selection buckskin products like moccasins, crystal dream catchers and original First Nations art.
Charming Artisan Studios
A lot of artisans also sell their works at their own studios, where you're just as likely to find these talented craftspeople in the middle of their creative process. If mapping out a studio tour you would be remiss without stopping in at Pridham Studio to pickup one of their iconic mugs or bowls, which colourfully depict scenes of life in the Creston Valley. The Pottery on Canyon, A working pottery studio that teaches classes, also sells a selection of wares made by their students and teachers as well.
Outside of town you could easily spend a day exploring a handful of quaint studios tucked amongst the rolling fields, orchards, forests and mountains of the area. Highlights include the locally-grown fresh bouquets at Brittany’s Flower Farm and Herbarium Studio & Gallery in Erickson, wood-fired stoneware pottery at Orde Creek Pottery in Lister and the deliciously scented bath balms, candles and goat milk soap (and rooftop goats!) at Yahk Soap and Candle Co.
And of course don’t forget that the Creston Valley Farmers’ Market offers so much more than the most incredible local produce and food — it’s also a hotbed of local artisans selling their woodwork, pottery, textiles, photography and more!
Snack & Drinks
While you are out exploring these boutiques you'll likely need a snack and coffee break at one of the many cute cafes around the area. Alternatively, after a full day of exploring you might want to unwind — perhaps over a craft beer, a fresh cocktails and tapas, or dinner. For a full list of the many fantastic cafes, restaurants and pubs in the area check out the dining and entertainment sections of our website.
What's Next?
Of course there is so much more to see and do in the Creston Valley once you've shopped yourself out. Check out the Play section of our website to see what other activities there are to do in the area or perhaps peruse our Blog section for more inspired ideas. Finally be sure to visit our our Event Calendar to see what sort of entertainment is happening this week!
Freelance writer Brian Lawrence is a former editor and publisher of the Creston Valley Advance. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking and trail running, and acting in and directing productions with Creston's Footlighters Theatre Society.
