Gastown loves Moms. That goes without saying.
We have so many great places to eat, shop and be merry that one might wish that we had more than one day to officially celebrate our beloved mothers. Well, this Sunday May 8th is it and Gastown is the place to bring her. We’ve carefully selected some of best things to buy and places to go.
We’ll begin by meandering our way to Heathers the Flowershop. Spring has come early this year and with it, many beautiful flowers that are now in bloom. Tulips, roses, lilies and chrysanthemums (of course!), Heathers’ provides locally grown flowers direct from the Fraser Valley, which are of good quality and freshness. A well arranged bouquet will set the scene just perfectly with Mumsy and probably make her smile all day.
Old Faithful Shop has quite a tasteful assortment of Mother’s Day gifts including US Apothecary elderflower bubble bath, Mast Brothers Smoked Chocolate and OFS’ fine linen aprons.
The Good Spirit metaphysical boutique on 309 Cambie St. has just opened it’s hallowed doors and is a must visit for the day. The warm light cast though the windows will allow a dream like experience to unfold as you softly move through this almost sacred space of precious healing rocks, soothing bath salts, fresh sage and dousing pendulums. The best part? Surprise mother with a pre-booked tarot reading session in the back of the store and allow the cards to tell you their secrets.
Espace D has unique gift ideas in store just in time for the special day. You can find a very nice MENO BAG designed by Harri Koskinen for Littala, the Monacle Guide for Cosy Homes and natural bath salts by L:A Bruket – the traditional, organic health cure with marigold, roses, lavender, unbleached sea salt and essential oils of marigold, orange and geranium will provide a scented, relaxing and softening ”kurbad”, a swedish spa treatment at home.
L’attelier carries handmade, made in Vancouver soya wax candles that have a burn life of 50 days (plenty of time to read War & Peace by candlelight). We reccomend the “Gastown” one which emits pleasant notes of leather, tobbaco, amber and black pepper. You are sure to find a lovely gift at Orling & Wu, curators of the dainty, purveyors of accoutrements of the stylish – a good place to start is with their French made Carre Royal Coin Purse formed out of a premium smooth, dense cowhide leather.
By this stage you will be starving and there are some excellent offerings of Mother’s Day brunch from some of Gastown’s finest restaurants.
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Time to take a walk on the wild side and go for a “swim” after brunch. Floathouse Gastown offers floatation therapy in their futuristic sensory deprivation tanks. These aqueous chill out pods will allow mom to completely relax and receive the much deserved restorative time that she needs. They have a 2 for 1 special for Mothers Day. All aboard!
photo by: boredinvancouver.com
After you towel off, head west on Cordova Street and enter into the intruging world of Salmagundi. Odddities, rarities and trinkets galore, this oldy-timey Gastown mainstay never fails to delight. It may cause Mother to recall memories lost and indeed a few stories that you’ve never heard her tell.
