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El Kartel
Categories: Shopping Fashion Shoe Stores Shopping Fashion Men's Clothing Shopping Fashion Women's Clothing Shoe Stores, Men's Clothing, Women's Clothing [Edit]
1007 Granville St.Vancouver, BC V6Z 1L2
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Granville Entertainment District
(604) 683-2171
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 8 pm
Thu-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
- Price Range:
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$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
10 reviews for El Kartel
10 reviews in English
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Review from Mina B.
2/22/2010
i want a $1000 gift card. their stuff is awesome! shoes, shirts, sweaters, hoodies, hats, acccessories...
i bought a wicked sweater last summer. $90 after tax. ouch. but worth it. bought shoes a few weeks ago for $69. sweet deal for a sweet pair of shoes.
i like the atmosphere there. always loud music and great customer service.
i come in frequently to check out their new stuff even when i know i can't afford buying anything -
Review from Johnson C.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 12/13/2011
Update: First visit to the store since they moved from Robson to Granville. Suprisingly, the place got smaller and selection has suffered quite a deal. But looks like the focus is now on local brands. The hat shelf in the back is much smaller and there's far less kicks now.
However, most importantly it retained the glass cases with the funky watches, jewelry, and sunglasses. Good collection of G-Shocks as well.
To be honest, it was never aimed at dudes like me - it's hipster/funky scenester aimed but I would occasionally cop a hat or two at the old store and the mystical glass case provided solid gifts.
Was going to drop a star but staff is still nice and glad this funky little boutique survived.Listed in: Addicted to Fresh
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/2/2009
Among the megabrand stores, El Kartel is a small lucha libre-themed boutique along Robson.
The main… Read more »
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Review from Susanne J.
Hope, BC
I'm gonna drop these kids a five just 'cause I like their style. Probably can't tell you anything that hasn't already been yelped - the staff is awesome, clothes are cool (great for girls ready to graduate from american apparel), fun tunes, perfect place for a sneaker pimp...oh and a sick rotating art collection. That's what drew us in today. The owner showed us a bunch of pieces from an artist named Soak. Very cool.
Browsed the store too. Some sweet tees and caps done by local graff artists - some pricey and some a steal. Picked out a pair of Insight boardshorts for my buddy with crazy space monkey graphics. After months of looking for the right pair for him this was it. Gotta love leaving with a smile and some sweet merch in hand.Listed in: Give me more 604!, From Sea To Sky - What to do…
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Review from Pennylane S.
Vancouver, BC
7/4/2010
El Kartel embodies an entire genre of upper class scene-sterdom (not to be confused with hipsterdom) in it's little 500 sq foot store. By this I mean, it's really locked down a generation of urban, graphic street wear that's hip to the times.
In addition, El Kartel also hosts happening openings showcases local artists who also embody said genre. Dj's and graffiti artists are always close by to tag your t-shirt, hat or shoes should you want it. It is clear that each item is carefully selected and definitely not found anywhere else.
The glass display case holds some of the best stuff in my opinion. Handmade jewelry, lego-brass knuckle rings, sunglasses and headphones are awesome to look at even if they are totally out of my price range.
Shirts and hoodies (if not luchador themed) often don urbanized Vancouver imagery, which is cool if you're looking for something touristy, but not THAT touristy. -
Review from May B.
Vancouver, BC
1/23/2011
There's a great selection of shoes, clothing, and accessories for both men and women. Caters to an urban, streetwise crowd. Fell in love with a pair of jewelled Reeboks here and the staff were quick and super friendly. Prices are a bit steep for my student budget but if I'm feeling to splurge a bit on something pretty and hip, this is where I pop by.
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Review from Cheri L.
8/8/2008
Colorful, fun, and fresh display of sneakers, clothes, T-shirts, and accessories from young, local, international, and established designers, from Kid Robot and Puma to Upper Playground and Fifty 24SF gear. The girls working here are super cute, the guys are friendly and helpful, and the assortment of flyers near the entrance are added touches reminiscent of back-in-the-day, as is the music spinning in the store.
Granted, some of the clothes on the racks remind me of stuff I used to wear when I was 20, particularly the sleek, slightly futuristic pieces; dresses, sweaters, and shirts with asymmetrical lines; and hoodies with graphics.
The shops on Robson are generally pretty bland -- nothing I haven't seen in any other big city . Stopping at El Kartel, then -- even if I'm not going to buy anything -- balances an otherwise standard downtown shopping excursion. -
Review from Darien C.
BC
11/12/2008 5 photos
Right off Robson, El Kartel is a trendy destination. As a personal fan of bright clothing, this place always draws me in when I pass. The room looks great, I tend to b-line to the sneakers lining the room. A lot of different styles here, including a great deal of New Balance sneakers, which evidently are now cool. The music is always loud and great, just how I like to shop. Better still, on some days you can catch a dj playing by the hat wall in an elevated booth. The staff is great, informed on a lot of styles and subjects. More than once I've lingered at the register to finish a conversation about music. On the way out make sure you take a look at the flyer table which promotes parties around the city. If you're new in town this is a great place to find out about local parties and shows.
Listed in: Born to Shop
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Review from Alex D.
Vancouver, BC
5/2/2010
Cool Kicks, loud tees, fedoras and fitted caps and some sweet accessories. Best of all for perhaps the most hipster shop on Robson the staff are genuinely friendly and helpful. Not always my style but like many others I still love browsing the racks. Bonus points for hanging a hand made sign reading 'Mexican House' above the store during the Olympics.
Listed in: Robson Street
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Review from angelica g.
9/29/2010
i forgot the name of the guy who helped us...but he was so damn cool. customer service at its finest!
price points for some stuff are a bit high, but dig around the sale. definitely some winners for good prices. love the local art on the walls and the store tunes. -
Review from Anita T.
Toronto, ON
10/18/2008
This is a very cool alternative store in the centre of the shopping mecca of Vancouver. They have a superly cool selection of shoes that would make any sneaker fanatic feel as if they've died and gone to heaven. They also have a crazy selection of men's and women's clothing - and this is stuff that you won't be able to find anywhere else, and if you did, then you probably found it on the Internet. I find that almost everything here is original and funky; yes, it's expensive, because original = expensive... but if you got a little extra cash to splurge and want to treat yourself something nice, you should check out El Kartel.
