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Paranada
Categories: Shopping Arts & Crafts Shopping Fashion Accessories Shopping Fashion Women's Clothing Arts & Crafts, Accessories, Women's Clothing [Edit]
1505 Commercial DriveVancouver, BC V5L 3Y1
Neighbourhoods: Grandview-Woodlands, The Drive
(604) 255-3600
- Hours:
Mon-Fri, Sun 10 am - 7 pm
Sat 10 am - 8 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
7 reviews for Paranada
7 reviews in English
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Review from Sachi M.
10/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cool! Nice summery dresses and tops and hats.
They also have drums all over the place.
I love the "peasant"-type skirt that I got here, and a blouse that was girly shaped but dark brown to balance it out. They were get one, get 50% off!
The first problem I found was when I went down the street to another store, and I made the security thing there beep, since the security tag in the skirt had not been removed. When I got back to Paranada, they had been closed for a few minutes, but after several tries of waving through the window in the door and pointing at my bag and skirt, the lady who had helped me was able to take the tag off for me.
The second problem I encountered was when I got home and took my new clothes out of the plastic bag. The thick smell of incense... I had noticed it at the store, but didn't think of the clothes absorbing it (duh). Unfortunately, I am sensitive to strong smells, and I could only wear it after hanging it to air and spraying it with water many times over a few days.
After that, it was fine. I am overall happy with my purchase. -
Review from Roanna Z.
12/27/2011 1 photo
Same sassy service after all these years.
It's amazing how you can go to a shop a few times over the span of 10 years and find it exactly the same. Bitchy, self absorbed, rude staff who will scorn you for trying things on, follow you around and even mock you for asking questions or attempting friendly conversation. I watched in amazement as an old man tried on a few hats and requested help, she basically said; "How can I help you --look around and choose one yourself!"
As for the merchandise, it's Hippy style garments, the usual overall selection you find so many places on the drive, however they do have a good selection of Djembe drums if you don't mind buying with out trying. God forbid you actually play them in the shop. -
Review from Rob R.
Vancouver, BC
4/23/2012
Same selection of cheap hippy crap that other places sell, except Para Nada has the gall to actually sell it at a higher price. I've been to Nepal, India, and all of the places that their cheap clothing comes from. For what it costs to make (think slave wages), there is no justifiable excuse for Para Nada to charge such obscene prices. Most of the cheap cotton shirts from India could easily be sold for $10 here and still make a profit, but I see them for $25 or more at this store. Same with the pants, and hats! Most of this stuff starts to get more and more frail with each wash. It is not built to last, which is why they are cheap as dirt in their country of origin.
Westerners who have never left Canada will never understand what a rip off this store is, given the quality of the goods and cost of manufacturing. Most of the clothes are ordered by the pallet - that is, hundreds of random items packed together from the factory and shipped off. It's a pre-fab business. You're better off spending your money at a different store that knows how to match quality to price; or, if you're lucky enough to be travelling to that part of the world in the not too distant future, I would just wait. You can buy a whole wardrobe for a small fraction of the cost.
The only reason I go to Para Nada is the incense. I'm in and out. The staff there have such attitude problems, which makes me wonder if management treats them properly. Given the price mark up of their merchandise, I doubt it. Para Nada is smart with its marketing - it knows what the hippies of Commercial Drive like to look at. Too bad it's not in touch with any of the grassroots ethics of the Drive. Taking advantage of a niche by price gouging them is not ethical! -
Review from Simon R.
BC
11/17/2008 1 photo
If you are a "drum circles are cool" kind of person, you'll probably also like the hats they sell here. Especially if you like clothing made from hemp, and almost definitely if you smoke it. And if you like bright colors and do things like hacky sack, you probably won't mind the smell of incense that enshrouds this clothing/jarimba store.
The prices seem all right, although they might be out of reach for a real hippy. -
Review from Mercedes G.
Vancouver, BC
11/6/2008
Paranada is the place to come for all of your free-trade and global gifts. This spacious store is chock-full of interesting objects, trinkets, clothing and accessories that are sure to catch your eye.
Beautifully patterned dresses in silky materials for under 50 dollars are a steal, while unisex hand-knit hats and toques are great for the winter season. Paranada also carries a grand collection of bongo drums both small and large as well as gemstone jewellery from far away lands. Keep your eye out for Tibetan freedom flags and support the cause! -
Review from Debby D.
Burnaby, BC
5/18/2009
I have NOTHING bad to say about this store at all...I am a sucker for the beautiful peasant skirts, dresses and t's there. A few years ago, I bought a sexy halter top for only $8 (on sale). They have great sales. It's also a good place to look if you want bongo drums and exotic jewelry.
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Review from Sarah O.
11/23/2009
This is a regular stop for me when I visit the Drive. Over the years, this neat little store have seen many-a-dollars from my wallet.. whether it'd be earrings, incense, prayer flags, hats or toys.. but lately I've been noticing the hostile attitude of the workers there. For example, when I walk in today, the girl at the counter just glare at me and when I was buying something and ask for a receipt, she seriously said, "do you REALLY need one? I means is it REALLY important? UGHHH" then continued to write it out by hand.. and when I was leaving I said, Thank You in a polite way and she just said nothing. What the hell? Crazy woman. Also, their jewelry is mostly made of wood and from what the workers tell me, the wood that is used has living bacteria living in it and will make you have allergic reaction to them... and believe me, I had my fair share of irritation with their earrings...Uhh.. no thanks! Other than that.. I still come here to see what new stuff they have, but certainly not for their "friendly" services.
Listed in: The Drive
