Your Back-to-School Shopping Guide
Sharpen those pencils and pack those lunches – it’s time to head back to school! Every summer, thousands of people flock to Edmonton for back-to-school shopping. Of course, West Edmonton Mall is a one-stop shop with the equivalent of 48 city blocks of shopping, dining, and entertainment. But there are many other great shopping destinations local to Edmonton to add to your itinerary.
After hitting the mall, enjoy some sunshine and fresh air in one of Edmonton's key walkable areas that are sprawling with local shops to find something unique! After all, no one likes to see their favourite shirt being worn by three other people. For one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories that your friends won’t find anywhere else, pop into Edmonton’s locally owned shops in three bustling districts:
Whyte Avenue in Old Strathcona is incredibly popular amongst the independent dressers.
- Bamboo Ballroom carries a lot of brands you can’t find elsewhere in Edmonton.
- Stylus is an Edmonton Original with fine pens, notebooks and office supplies you can’t wait to pull out of a backpack.
- Wrinkled is a locally loved consignment store that specializes in everything trendy and chic. Sustainable & fashionable? Yes please!
- Wildrose Vintage is an Edmonton staple to find retro tee shirts, sweatshirts, jackets and pants that will make you stand out from the crowd.
- Gravity Pope has two stores in Old Strathcona: one full of shoes and leather goods, the other with clothing and accessories.
New dorm to decorate? Vivid Print has you covered with an array of gorgeous prints, frames, books and a plethora of other knickknacks and gifts to make your space feel like home. Head over to The Plaid Giraffe to browse a variety of accessories such as earrings, bracelets, necklaces, tote bags, backpacks, purses, candles and pretty much everything in between. Last minute birthday/anniversary/wedding gift? Village Goods and When Pigs Fly are your places to be with every gift one could possibly need to shop for (yes, this includes gifts for yourself. No, we won't judge).
124 Street
124 Street is loaded with artisan shops, boutiques, and restaurants once you've worked up an appetite!
Favourite 124th Street Edmonton Originals
- Shades of Grey is a women’s boutique with hard-to-find brands.
- Paper Doll is another trendy women's boutique offering stylish, standout pieces.
- Red Ribbon has a wide variety of clothing and accessories for guys and girls.
- Swish Vintage offers an eclectic mix of couture and one-of-a-kind vintage pieces.
While you're in the neighbourhood, check out The Makers Keep at The Grand. This unique shop features a ton of locally made art, snacks, bath and body products, and an entire section of stationary supplies to keep you organized for this upcoming school year in style. Make a stop at The Prints & the Paper for quirky home decor, books and everything else you may need to conquer this school year. Your next stop is a true Edmonton favourite; Lisen Records, a music store filled a huge selection of used and brand-new vinyl, cassette tapes and anything else you may need to rock out this coming year.
4th Street Promenade
4th Street Promenade and the surrounding historic warehouse district is home to more great locally owned shops (and places to eat, for when you inevitably work up an appetite during your shopping endeavors).
Favourite 4th Street Promenade Edmonton Originals
- Apollo Originals is a premium clothing and lifestyle brand found in the Mercer Building.
- For guys who like to step up their fashion game, check out The Helm near 104th.
While you're perusing around 104th, you will need to stop in at to grab a delicious vanilla latte at the beloved Credo Coffee. For dessert, stop in at Fawkes Coffee for a mouth-watering, handcrafted doughnut where the flavors change every two weeks!
Outlet Malls for Days
Who doesn't love a good deal? The discounts are plentiful at Premium Outlet Collection near Edmonton International Airport. This is a great place to score a killer deal before heading home from your shopping adventure. Scoop up a designer bag, some new threads, shiny jewelry, and even some home decor at a fraction of the cost!