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Old Faithful Shop
Category: Shopping Home & Garden Home Decor Home Decor [Edit]
320 W Cordova StVancouver, BC V6B 1E5
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
(778) 327-9376
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10 am - 7 pm
Sun 11 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
15 reviews for Old Faithful Shop
15 reviews in English
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Review from Erica A.
3/4/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Old Faithful is one of those shops that is merchandised so well where if you remove something off of a shelf someone else could tell exactly what you moved.
I have been to the Old Faithful shop many times and it hasn't disappointed. It is very true to their theme of artisan, home-made or well-crafted-and-the-woodsy-bent items, which speaks to a particular customer. Some may love this shop and others may find it expensive and too specific to integrate into their personal style. I appreciate the care in the selection of the goods and the kindness of the employees.
The first time I was in the shop (being overwhelmed by the visuals) I just bought several journals. When I got home, I realized that I wanted more and ordered them by phone because they don't use their website for special orders. They were very nice and when the package arrived, it was beautiful. Brown paper package, tied up with string... no kidding.
This time I bought a huge wool blanket that I thought I could fit in my luggage (I couldn't) and it made a perfect gift. The thing about the blanket purchase was how much banter I had the the employees while I was purchasing it. While we were talking, THEY referenced that I had bought the journals the previous year. What memory. Their attention to detail gets me every time.
I will always go back to Old Faithful when I am in Vancouver... whether or not I can fit what I buy into my luggage.Listed in: Copy My Trip: Vancouver
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Review from Isabelle G.
Vancouver, BC
3/26/2012
Even though a lot of the merchandise appeared to be replicas made to look old, it was a general character of the store that made the area unique from all the regular Canadian souvenir shops surrounding it. I have no problem paying a lot for something unique, however, when it's simple items re-packaged nicely for 4 times as much, the wallet seems hurting. The butter tray looked like something that you could buy at Zellers for of the cost. Put the two items side by side and you would see no difference. It really comes down to genius marketing and packaging. I understand that real estate is high in the hood and sometimes prices have to justify that, however, if they're aiming for unique products, they really need to set themselves more apart in regards to in store merchandise.
When I shop and drop money, it's about the entire experience over all from the ambience, décor, staff and product. I wasn't feeling the vibe of the owner which was a turn off. My girlfriend and I were joking about how his dog fit the décor and how charmed I was with some of the items, however, he seemed snotty and acted like he didn't give two shits that my GF and I were enchanted with the store. Maybe he thought we were just window shopping and didn't want to bother with us. In part we were window shopping, however, there were two bars of soap that I really wanted to get and it still bugs me that I buy them. I have a problem buying from people whose aura doesn't ring positive. Perhaps he was having a bad day, however, you would think that two awesome girls appreciating and being enchanted with some of the cool stuff would brighten your day, I guess not.
The décor and the ambience was unique and cool and worth a walk in just to experience. -
Review from Patricia G.
Vancouver, BC
5/20/2012
I admit, I go to visit Jean Pierre, the adorable French Bulldog who "guards" the store. But while I'm there, I usually end up buying something. They have a really fun selection of household items with an old fashioned style. The high quality of the stock is reflected in the price, so this is not for someone on a tight budget. You can pick up some nice succulents, books and edibles on a smaller budget, but the majority is more for the affluent shoppers. However, the staff treat everyone equally. They are some of the nicest people working in Gastown.
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Review from Bobbin W.
9/19/2011
The most memorable component of Old Faithful for me is one of the staff member's whimsical tattoos: Normal Rockwell-esque cats, one gray and one orange, balancing on a unicycle and holding balloons. If I ever get a tattoo, I will do something similar as an homage to my gray tabby, an eternal symbol of love for life.
Anyway, I found the store expensive and sparse overall. I bought some soap. One bar, called Logger's Delight, sums up my father if I were to describe him with a scent. The bar I currently am bathing with, Fever Grass, is delicious but doesn't become as fragrant as I would like when I suds it up. Per the price, it should fill my bathroom and linger on my skin for at least a few minutes.
I need to decide where I would put the tattoo. -
Review from Robin M.
6/25/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Old Chum is one of my all time favourite Tumblrs. Looking through the pages and pages of its posts is like digging through stacks upon stacks of unorganized books only to find that each one is as much a jewel as the last. A paragon of Canadiana of the long forgotten past, Old Chum is refreshingly on-point with its simple and well-curated images. But my love-fest doesn't stop there: just so happens that the curator of said blog is also a Gastown shop owner. Lucky me. Lucky Vancouver.
Old Faithful is the physical manifestation of Old Chum. One part home furnishings store, one part stationary shop, all parts awesome, Old Faithful believes that personal style has a reach that goes well beyond ones clothes. Focusing on good-looking, well-made, and functional wares, this is the only shop in Vancouver where I can buy filters for my beloved Chemex coffeemaker. Even better, Walter just introduced me to a fine disposable alternative: the Kone, a metal filter made specifically for the Chemex by Coava Coffee in Portland. Eco-nomical and eco-friendly, yes?
With its high ceilings, old wood floors, sparsely-displayed items, and a small cabin to show off the incredible features of the 100 year old space, Old Faithful isn't just here for good looks. Value of aged objects is their game, and I'm in for the long haul. -
Review from Roanna Z.
7/27/2011 1 photo
Old Faithful is an up scaled, old-skool variety shop stocked with home grown goods. We dropped by to pick up some Rocanini coffee. They were supposed to be doing a demo, but we found only the product and the stylin' mesh filter with the beautiful glass beaker that encourages the pour over method. I forget what they call the set, but it's an art piece by itself.
The shop has a lot of great merchandise and local market products displayed with creativity. Really, check it out, it's a gorgeous shop in a(n) historic building that has been respectfully restored with a breath of new life. I walked around with my jaw dropped I was so impressed.Listed in: Best cafes & small shops in…
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Review from Vincci L.
Really? This super cool shop was here this whole time and I didn't know about it?!
Stepping in, I was transported to the Great Outdoors. Fir incense burning, cabin like interior, and a large table of cacti. It was cool.
Then I wandered through the store and realize how great their items were. Cute porcelain bottles, books, lamps, notebook..all displayed on natural wood tables and shelves. There's a table of all different scented French candles. Love them.
Staff is friendly and pretty cool.
Very unique items, a perfect place to pick up gifts.Listed in: Shopping in Gastown
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Review from Monica M.
1/30/2011
Incredible and beautiful home decor. Always smells lovely and the staff are distant but helpful (meaning they don't pester you when you walk in the door, but if you have a question they'll answer it and then back off).
The prices are a little out of my range but I would certainly save up for that perfect piece (a hanging terrarium!!).
Most/all of their stuff is sustainable or reclaimed or organic or all-natural. Very very awesome mandate. -
Review from Kari C.
1/15/2011
To follow YELP guidelines, I'm loosely associated with the owners of Old Faithful (my boyfriend did some photography work for their store, but I visited before then). They are so nice!
I love this store. It's like wandering into a giant, spacious cabin that belongs to a European grandpa. There's a wide assortment of storage accessories (baskets, jars, containers), magazines (including Fire & Knives and Meat Paper), books (they have Tartine Breads!!), stationary (wooden pencils, notebooks, cute paper), quality table linens, European soaps, wooden bowls and candle holders, pitchers, trays, wallets, awls, utility knives, and much more.
The owners travel to find the goods for the store, everything is beautiful and classic, and is meant to be long-lasting. You can tell that everything has been hand-picked. I appreciate their effort to remind Vancouverites of a simpler time, and hope that this city gives them some love!Listed in: Faux Nostalgia
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Review from Emily S.
Vancouver, BC
2/6/2011
How could I have missed this place for so long? They've been open since May but my eyes weren't open apparently.
Awesome, friendly staff, and cute things everywhere. I ended up with outdoorsy-smelling incense (just can't get enough of Vancouver, even inside) and a specialty lavender soap from Port Townsend. Very good place for grabbing last-minute gifts or home goods. -
Review from Ladawne S.
Vancouver, BC
1/30/2011
I liked this store SO much - I had to share my experience with others.
After a recent trip to Europe, I have been looking for unique, non-mainstream Vancouver stores for clothing, design and lifestyle.
I happened upon Old Faithful by accident, they have been in Gastown since May - and I immediately fell in love with the cool space, Jean Pierre (the mascot English Bulldog), and the great service.
The really unique items in the store have been hand picked with pure love. Perfect for a cool gift for someone, or for some treats for yourself. My fav item? The French candles, great notebooks, cool bags, fantastic soaps...funky tape, thank you cards - I could go on. Well done.
If I had to choose a store to suit my style, this store and The Cross in Yaletown are bang on! -
Review from Nadine C.
Vancouver, BC
6/1/2011
Great place to pick up cute gifts and to browse on a rainy day. The cabin-like interior gave off an outdoorsy kinda feel, which was very Vancouver. Their staff is very friendly, they're cool people to chat with. Also, Old Faithful carries an extensive stock of candles, notebooks, books, bottles, pretty porcelain items, and dinnerware. What really caught my eye were their hanging terrariums! Very original. The only thing that disappointed me what that they did not carry incense joss sticks, only the incense chunks. :( Also, their store smelled of cedar incense, which was pleasing at first, but I ended up leaving with a headache.
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Review from courtney j.
Vancouver, BC
5/26/2010 1 photo
Old Faithful Shop just opened in Gastown! I wandered in yesterday to see a wonderful collection of "items for daily life" as the owner Walter described it. A great space with items from notebooks, to home decor items to dreamcatchers and candles from France. My coveted item: the tomato scented candle - amazing!
A great addition to Gastown! -
Review from Rachel H.
3/20/2011
Loved this place! Hard to walk out without purchasing something!
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Review from Jeff Y.
12/10/2011
hm. chocolate bars for 12.50 that I can get in the states for 4 dollars. blankets that are more than double the cost online direct from the mill. ridiculous.
