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Capers Community Market
Categories: Food Specialty Food Health Food Store Food Grocery Health Food Store, Grocery [Edit]
2285 4th Avenue WestVancouver, BC V6K 1N9
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
(604) 739-6676
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am - 10 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
37 reviews for Capers Community Market
Review Highlights
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"and all their other goodies in their bakery." In 8 reviews -
"The ready-made food is tasty and unique." In 3 reviews -
"Best deal was the fair-trade and organic coffee." In 3 reviews
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37 reviews in English
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Review from Youna C.
Vancouver, BC
4/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Okay, first of all be very careful of how much you spend at the deli/hot bar - haha first time I was here, I went a little bit overboard loading my plate up with beef stew, rice, and the chunkiest vegetables...and my lunch came out to 17 dollars - WHOOPS.
But I'd have to say, despite it being the most expensive deli meal I've ever had, it also was THE BEST tasting deli meal. It really does not compare with your average grocery store. Today I had a slice of their veggie lasagna. Delish! And the baked goodies..don't even get me started on those. Also treated myself to a chocolate-dipped macaroon. Oh so good.
It's pricey, but the quality of their food/produce is exceptional. I probably won't buy EVERYTHING here, but there are some things I definitely wouldn't mind purchasing: e.g. freshly made salad dressings, hummus, and also their detox kits!
Overall, Whole Foods is really about wholesome, high-quality & nutrient-dense eating. You're in for all sorts of healthy organic goodness upon visiting. :D -
Review from Kari C.
4/4/2012 5 Check-ins Here
I keep coming back here for little things.
Skin care!
Frozen berries on sale!
Alternative sugars and flours!
It's like Whole Foods if you squished it in a vice, which isn't necessarily a good thing, because so many of the shoppers here looove to let everybody know that they are globally conscious and bla bla bla, but they're just as annoyingly self-absorbed and inconsiderate (space-wise) toward other shoppers as people would be at any other supermarket. That's not the store's fault, though the aisles are kind of narrow. If it's a choice between that and not carrying a ton of stuff that the other locations have, they made the right choice.
The flowers are always gorgeous, the food is always good, and the service staff I have asked are always helpful, but I do have a few qualms...
If they're charging $8.99 for organic milk...maybe they can make sure the bottoms aren't covered in drippy milk leakage. Every jug, every time! Arrrrrrh...
They have a "$5 buffet" on the last Wednesday of every month, to help raise funds for their Whole Planet campaign. It was misleading, because when we arrived, it was a $5 TASTING buffet (no seconds, either!)...and their pineapple marinated tofu was cold and hard and just tasted like tofu, nothing else. Whole Foods has this recurring problem of their steam-tray food being under-seasoned, and I figure that it's probably because a lot of their customers might be watching their sodium intake? Still...
We were looking for dessert (with a friend) and he picked up this lovely bundt cake in a box, but the icing had mold on it. At first I was skeptical that it was mold, but looked up close, and it was...Ack!!
Come on Capers...be like the Little Engine That Could, and step up to the bat. Don't let the other locations show you up! -
Review from Michael V.
Burnaby, BC
2/26/2012
My wife and I come here whenever we can. Of course we aren't silly rich so that limits our visits. The masala wraps are wonderful and we salivate continuously over the food in the display case as we're waiting for the wraps to be heated.
The real gem here for us is the muffin and sweets section by the coffee bar. I recommend the power muffin but pretty much everything you see is great. The pastry chefs are doing a fantastic job!
This place has a really good vibe and lots of outdoor seating in the summer. My wife freaks out when she sees the pigeons but I scare them away before any food goes missing.
Check this place out!! -
Review from Dee B.
2/11/2012 5 Check-ins Here
I really do love Capers/Whole Foods.
Why? The salad bar, deli and take home salad dressings. So convenient in this busy life!
Also, they have the best honeycrisp apples. Holy crapola they are so crispy and juicy. -
Review from Deja S.
Vancouver, BC
12/24/2011
Great items as you'd always expect at Whole Foods, but this location in particular is usually packed. Can't focus on things without having to constantly move over.
Took home a bunch of organic kale that was completely caked with live aphids on the underside. So many you'd have to actually scrape them off. Talk about appetite killer. -
Review from Virginia P.
Vancouver, BC
4/12/2012
Love this store. I can't buy everything here but I make it a point to come each week to buy Kale (best kale selection and quality), yoghurt (coconut yoghurt, soy yoghurt, kefir yoghurt...etc) and the homeopathic section. They have a great probiotic section and I just bought my wildrose cleanse kit there.
I find the items I purchase here are better quality and competitively priced compared to other grocery stores. For example Liberte yoghurt is $4.69 at Safeway but I can usually find it on sale 2 for $6.00.
Good vibe, great staff but I have to agree with past reviewers about shoppers here. Just cuz you're trying to minimize your footprint doesn't give you the right to be rude and pushy! -
Review from Shoppa H.
Vancouver, BC
4/22/2012
I used to pop in here for things are are hard to find in other locations like the dandelion coffee. The prices are extremely pricey for most items. ONLY buy if it's on sale! I guess if you slap an "organic" label onto anything, you can charge outrageous dollars for the item at a store full of pretentious-wannabes for clientele.
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Review from Luisa D.
7/14/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I love so much about this place except some of the prices. The best reason to go there though? Their baked goods! If I ever take dessert to a dinner party and don't feel like making it myself this is where I go. Their carrot cake and chocolate cake are both amazing and actually really well priced. The pies are super delicious too and you can get small ones offering the chance to get more than one filling for a party.
If I need a specialty item/ingredient I'll often go here too but they don't always deliver. Look for sales on things like truffle oil though. I've picked up some sweet deals on occasion.
And for land's sake, take your own damn shopping bag! They'll donate 10 cents (hey - it all adds up!) to a charity and give you some choice on which one.Listed in: My Kitsilano
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Review from Sara D.
Vancouver, BC
11/21/2011
The price range really depends on what you're doing here - buying groceries, eating a meal, picking up dessert, etc.
Their ready made buffet is REALLY GOOD. They also have a lot of different types of nut flours which are hard to find in other places. I mean yeah I'm not about to pay $6 for an organic avocado but they do have some good stuff. -
Review from Andrea L.
Vancouver, BC
11/3/2011
This shop is quite tiny in comparison to Robson..there was barely any space for people to get through between the tills. A reno would be lovely, but its cozy for where it is located. I liked that I was able to pick up the items I had on hold, pay and leave within 10 minutes of entering the madness that lurked in the store.
Friendly staff, neat & clean! YAY -
Review from Roanna Z.
4/8/2011
Having dropped in for a quick bite and small shopping a bunch of times, I can say I've formed an opinion by this time and it's not really a wonderful one.
Tight isles, low lighting, and ridiculously over-the-top prices for a start. The food counter service assistants are not well educated in food allergies. On several occasions I've asked about the specific ingredients in the prepared take out foods, explaining my restrictions carefully and have been disappointed by their responses and the lack of information available.
The signage is not as clear as it could be. It should say GLUTEN FREE or DAIRY FREE right on the signs and they should certainly be able to offer plenty of items in that category by this time. They can certainly do better.
Yesterday, I thought I'd made the right choice, later to find myself experiencing a gluten reaction which I'm still suffering from today.
On a positive note, I always find the cashiers to be friendly and cheerful, and I also really appreciate the 'cafe' area with the microwave and also the outdoor seating but I won't likely be back anytime soon. -
Review from Brian S.
10/26/2011
Great Place for a 6 Buck Lunch. I know Whole Foods is called Whole Paycheck by many ,but i found a crack in the high prices. They have a 5 Buck lunch which tastes way better the McD's or Subway or Street Pizza and has way more food value. If you want small soup add a buck with a warp and you get a lots of tasty food for a fair price. The kits location has two great bike racks in front of the store and nice outdoor tables when the weather is good. Hey you may even see Mr David Suzuki among the yoga students baby strollers passing front the store.
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Review from Chester S.
Vancouver, BC
8/29/2011
A lot of items in Capers are ridiculously expensive. This supermarket is only for needy customers with a lot of money. Staff there are generally friendly, but totally lacks diversity --- I see mostly white guys and girls working there. This will certainly make some customers with a different ethnic background quite uncomfortable.
I think most of you people are very ignorant with the term "organic". If you ask any farmer, preferably those who retired from the industry, they can tell you the truth.
Their baked goods would have to come from a European family-owned bakery shop. I could easily tell by the sweetness and texture. Baked goods that are made by Canadians or Americans are god awful.
Also, it has come to my attention that Capers is owned by a large American grocery chain. Please be very careful with the money --- I'm betting a chunk of the money leaves Canada. -
Review from Lou K.
Vancouver, BC
4/19/2009
The phrase that comes to mind for Capers is "The Emperor's New Clothes". Do we think that if we will all become fashionable and organic if we follow the Kits masses into Capers? I admit I've been sheep-like on numerous occasions and done my (overpriced) shopping there.
This supermarket calls itself a Community Market and its fans claim it's THE place for organic and whole foods.
What is a community market these days? As I understand, Capers is a grocery chain. Organic? I would like to know what percentage of the products sold in that shop can be classified as "organic".
In their favour, I will say that their produce is of high quality. I have always been happy with the flavour and freshness of fruits and vegetables from Capers. In addition, I do like the selection and quality of their baked goods.
Somewhat useful, for people with special dietary requirements - or if they're just plain fussy - there are many items (such as non-dairy, non-wheat and yeast free).
The staffing in Capers is low caliber. You'll often see the cash register staff nattering away with one another about what they did on their weekends as you wait in line to pay and too many times, I've had checkout staff throw all my purchases into one of those useless paper bags - with the predictable result of broken eggs and squashed pastries. On one occasion, I'd purchased a tub of moldy yogurt and phoned the store in order to warn them of potentially hazardous items on their shelves. An indifferent sounding staff member put me on hold for a lengthy period of time while he tried to figure out what to do and then informed me that they would do something about it (???)
I still make that very occasional trip to Capers if I have the desire to buy organic arugula or wheat-free cake. I insist on bagging my own groceries into my own bag that won't fall apart. -
Review from Tani S.
8/30/2009
Yup, I was a bit sad when the Canadian version of Whole Foods actually got taken over by Whole Foods...
But happy to report that their yummy bakery items are still as good as ever... I especially love the espresso chocolate chip muffin, raspberry oatmeal muffin, and apricot scone...Much better than Terra! -
Review from Thom H.
2/1/2010
Creepy. This place is just creepy.
The staff are very nice, but the people that shop here just creep me right out. I've never seen so many lulu lemon-wearing yoga moms shoving their way through a coffee line before. Sure, they all have nice bums, but they're all such incredible busy bodies, with a goal-oriented tunnel vision as if the checkout counter was the finish line of their latest marathon run. They take the "end" out of "weekend".
And then there's the produce. Organic or not, no produce should be that pretty. It just looks wrong. Espresso was boring. The process for buying a coffee & muffin was unwieldy. -
Review from Reena M.
I pass this place all the time on the bus and every day I'm staring at their gorgeous flowers for sale. How do they always have them so perfect? Not even a single flaw? I would love to get flowers from here.
The bakery is really nice. I love their carrot cake so much that it inspired me to figure out how to make it on my own. I love it because it's not so sweet like Safeway's. And their brownie is delicious! They also have very cute and pretty looking petit four pastries. They're sure to impress at any party. But they're a little spendy.
That brings me to my point. The groceries are ridiculously overpriced. I'd rather not do my main shopping here since I'm not so much into organic foods etc. But for specialty things I don't mind spending the price.
So my review is basically for the bakery and flowers. The store itself just deserves 3 stars. -
Review from Rachael T.
Toronto, ON
3/26/2010
I was thinking what to try on my 101's list of best eats... and I had passed by Capers, craving a snack...
and then I thought - VANCOUVER CROISSANTS! They are on the list.
I walked into the bakery and the lady was such a doll - sweet and helpful.. she pointed out the two options - chocolate or whole wheat. I have never heard of a whole wheat croissant being sold ANYWHERE. Maybe I just don't get out enough.
For $2.49 - this small sized croissant was savoury, buttery and filling. I just could not resist and ate it while I waited at the bus stop.
I found out afterwards that the croissants can be sold frozen in their freezers and you can make them at home... sounds tempting don't you think?
Go grab one on the go.. and all their other goodies in their bakery! -
Review from Sabrina S.
Montréal, QC
6/5/2009
I know that Capers is part of Wholefoods and I know that it's no longer a community market. I have yet to go visit Choices and other markets, but capers is right near my house... :)
I usualy buy things that are on special and make sure they are organic and fair trade ( like coffee). I find that they have good prices for milk, cheese and tofu. If you go on a regular basis you can get some sweet deals, but a lot of the products are expensive. If you are on a budget pick essentials organics must haves: peanuts ( peanut butter and other nuts too), bananas, tofu, coffee, milk, soy milk.
The bakery is awesome here! the vegan torte is great and the chocolate mouse too!! All the pies are good too :)
I get my cleaning products here sometimes too, but I found some good deals with green products at other stores, or I just mix vinegar and water with baking soda.. total cost: 20 cents. -
Review from Nadine N.
Vancouver, BC
9/24/2008
Capers is a gourmet grocery store with gourmet grocery store prices. Is it worth it? I guess that depends. If you are looking for truffle oil or a wide range of organic, fair trade coffee, then Capers is your store.
Capers is on the small side, which means that it can get pretty crowded and they don't have room to have everything you might be looking for. If you bring your own bags, they'll give you 5 cents off your purchase for each bag or they'll give you 5 cent chips to that you can donate to one of three charities. If you happen to have the bad fortune of bringing home moldy shredded cheese, it's pretty easy to do a return. -
Review from Chloë E.
Vancouver, BC
11/27/2008
In no grocery store to people bump into and act like you don't exist as they do in Capers. Shoppers definitely don't create anything resembling a "community" atmosphere here--despite helpful, cheerful staff.
The staff on cash, in the deli, coffee, and supplement sections are excellent and knowledgeable. When we were inquiring about oregano oil, the gal spent a good 15 minutes chatting with us about the benefits and then also gave us free samples of Greens. The ready-made food is tasty and unique. Staff offer up explanations of products. I also love Capers' selection of household cleaners. It goes beyond just the Seventh Generation products most grocery stores sell in their limited environmentally friendly section.
It's really too bad about the people who shop here. (Yelpers excluded, of course!) -
Review from Nik C.
Halifax, NS
5/28/2009
You have to view Capers for what it is: a subsidiary of Wholefoods. It's not a 'community market' - not anymore, so when you're shopping at Capers, you're shopping at Wholefoods. The produce and fish here are all top-quality, but you definitely pay a premium, and you can't expect the same attention to detail and commitment to organics/ healthy living as you would a smaller chain. You can find good deals when they have sales/ markdowns, but you have to hunt for them.
If you're not watching your money and you don't have an ultra-firm commitment to community and organics, Capers is ok, otherwise I'd seek out alternatives; Choices, for example. -
Review from Lauren N.
11/23/2008
I love Capers, even if it does seem a bit pricey for some things. You can find everything organic and gourmet here, and it's definitely a good place for vegetarians and vegans. My vegan friend makes a point to stop here whenever she can.
In addition to their wide selection in organic grocery, they have a deli, bakery, salad bar, and eating area off to the side. I came here with my friend and we just heaped stuff into our bowls to make our salads; it was fun! I've tried their lasagna, which is also pretty good, but a little expensive at $6 for a tiny square. They have a microwave in the eating area where you can heat up your food if you need to.
My friend also swears by their carrot cake, although I haven't had it myself yet. But I definitely plan to have a taste soon! -
Review from Noa G.
Vancouver, BC
9/30/2008 1 photo
Can you believe Capers first opened its doors way back in 1985? I believe that was even before most people truly understood what "organic" meant!
Over two decades later, Capers Community Market is still going strong, with that first flagship store in West Vancouver expanding to include three other locations throughout the Lower Mainland.
Visit Capers to find organic fruits and veggies (pricier than regular produce, but of high quality and taste), locally made goodies (try the Artisan cheese buns -- delish!), and, at the West Fourth Avenue location, a snack bar/cafe/bakery/restaurant offering yummy cold and hot snacks and meals. -
Review from Eric L.
Vancouver, BC
1/31/2011 14 Check-ins Here
Great when they were Canadian-owned, now even better since they're part of Whole Foods.
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Review from Tanya S.
5/31/2011
Great little hot/cold snacks & take-out.... Prices are reasonable. The Kits location is my favorite Whole Foods in Vancouver. You can either sit inside & watch people walk past the large windows.... or sit outside.
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Review from Scotty D.
8/6/2008 1 photo
my first time in vancouver would prove to be one of my greatest vacations ever! i flew up to vancouver to spend a week with a girl i met and she brought me here for lunch. the place looked so fancy and they had the greatest gourmet items anyone could imagine. this place is a foodies dream!
we looked around for a while and ended up getting some sandwiches and salads to share. as we were checking out i saw this guy that looked so familiar. oh my god! that's martin sheen! i had to go say hello. he asked me where i was from so i told him i was from the bay area and he aid he was just their for some rally. i got a picture with him and he asked if i wanted to sit with him for lunch. hell wes i did! we talked for a half hour or so and went our own way. he is a really nice guy and so down to earth. i just hope he doesn't forget me! LOL
in all it was a great experience at capers. to think someone like martin sheen shops there really tells you something. this store was amazing and for many years i couldn't think of the name. i recently found out they are in it with whole foods. now i know why i was so impressed. -
Review from Paul C.
8/13/2008
As my friends and not-so friends were walking down 4th street to the banque, we noticed Capers and commented on how "It looks like a Whole Foods!" Well, that's because it is. This one is smaller than any other one I've been to, in fact, it was more like a Wild Oats, (which is now owned by Whole Foods,) sad in a way..but they had cinnamon spice granola in 16oz containers for just $1.75 CD!! Cashier Max is also really attractive.
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Review from Stacy C.
Vancouver, BC
3/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really love Whole Foods in Park Royal so I was looking forward to when the Kits Capers changed over. The change hasn't been complete though and unfortunately they still sell a lot of the "Capers Favourites" which aren't nearly as good as what is sold in West Van. The store is getting better and better but I hope to see it become as good as the other store. Two for one deli made pizzas on Tuesday are a great deal and the produce can't be beat (again, better selection in West Van).
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Review from globalgal L.
4/8/2009
This my first 'review' ever, but after my recent move here and realization that Caper's is the most overpriced sham of an organic community market, I had to for other unknowing newbies to the area. I just moved to the area and was thrilled to see an 'organic community market'. I have shopped at many great ones around the US and other countries.
However, after having shopped at Choices (thinking that was pricey)my first month in Vancouver I have been shocked at the ridiculous markup at Caper's. And that is in addition to some of the low quality products they carry - I saw one review said they feel assured everything there is top quality, well, I don't.
After reading labels seeing various chemicals (SLS, parabens) in the personal products and asking a staff member when they started carrying this crap, you soon find out that Whole Foods, who has now bought them out, has stocked the shelves with cheaper chemical FULL products in the shampoos, conditioners, and some of the food even the staff is embarrassed by. So, it defeats the whole point of an organic natural market, doesn't it? I mean, I have paid high prices for quality products and a stellar store committed to safe products, but this store has changed since Whole Foods bought it.
After shopping again at Choices you realize how overpriced Capers is and that some of the online organic delivery services are even a better deal. That said, some of the health area staff there are brilliant, but I think I am over the ridiculous prices. -
Review from Susanne J.
Hope, BC
6/10/2009 4 Check-ins Here
I kinda dig Capers. It's got loads of fresh produce, a great salad bar for take-out or eat-in and a terrific bulk grains section (I couldn't find quinoa anywhere else). Best deal was the fair-trade and organic coffee. Prices were about $11/pound. They had better deals on pounds of 49th Parallel coffee than 49th Parallel does. Some of the produce was missing prices and some of the prices that were attached, like organic avocados for 2.99 each, seemed ridiculous, so I wouldn't bother. I did find my fav Santa Cruz organic lemonade for $2/large bottle (compared to about $5 elsewhere) so it's definitely worth the walk for me.
Listed in: Gimme More 604 - Food!, Coffee in Kits
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Review from Luisa S.
Vancouver, BC
8/28/2008
I love Capers. It is far and away, my favourite grocery store. It turns the whole grocery shopping ordeal into a wonderful experience. Shelves dedicated to olive oil alone. Their cheese selection: Gouda, Brie, Havarti, Emmenthal, Gruyere... The delicatessen, the bakery, the grocery aisles... Every surface of this place gleams with promise of a well-sated appetite and a rounder belly. The strawberries here always seem to taste a little bit sweeter and the tomatoes always look a little plumper. Caper's is a gourmand's dream lover.
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Review from caroline s.
Burnaby, BC
9/15/2009
I could happily eat their Roast Beef sandwiches every day. Every day. Sometimes I fantasise about them. Perfection. I love you.
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Review from Tina H.
3/14/2010
Expensive but a good spot for groceries. I shop here frequently. I like when they have sales on dairy products and kettle chips. I also like when they're sampling stuff that I would otherwise overlook, even though it makes me buy things I never planned on buying. Good stuff for the most part! I like this place, but I prefer the Whole Foods at Cambie and Broadway because it's bigger. Size matters.
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Review from lucinda k.
Vancouver, BC
6/12/2010
I just love Capers- I was a fan before it became swallowed by Whole Foods, and if possible I'm even more of a fan now... I love how everything is preservative/additive free, and the fresh desserts are super. Add to that genuine, great service and you get 5 stars:)
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Review from Mercedes G.
Vancouver, BC
10/28/2008
Whole Foods smaller sibling, Capers, offers up a similar grocery shopping experience, but with generally much less space. So be it, Capers still carries a lovely selection of unique, gourmet and usually pricey items. I may not shop here everyday, but when I want something that will uplift a new dish to the next level, I come to Capers to have a look-see. For vegans, Capers has great selection beyond IGA, and the deli, juice and coffee bar, bakery and ready-made foods from salads to delicious cooked salmon, organic chicken and vegetarian dishes, Capers is a great for meals-on-the-go or ingredients to make your next meal special.
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Review from aiden b.
Vancouver, BC
10/4/2009
Lemon tarts, chocolate mouse cake, dark chocolate raspberry are the only things I go for. I don't know why Whole Foods doesn't carry them, if they are the same company?
