Now, we’re not encouraging any over the top, emotional spending, BUT if you are considering some summer purchases, maybe a few new wardrobe items, more baking essentials or an upgrade for the bike, then we’ve got a few great local suggestions for you.
FYI – it’s also Mother’s Day this Sunday (May 10), so we thought this might be good timing.
By Appointment
If we’re looking at silver linings for the current situation, you no longer have to be a celebrity or visiting royalty to get an exclusive shopping experience. Many retailers in Whistler are offering private, one-on-one shopping appointments.
At Peak Performance, you can book a one-on-one shopping appointment via phone or email. They currently have 50% off their existing winter inventory and 20% off new arrivals. One downside is that Aspen, the store dog, has to stay at home, but they’ve promised to pass on the belly rubs.
With the sun starting to make more of an appearance, The Whistler Hat Gallery, a local, family-run business, is making sure we’re sporting the latest styles in summer headwear. They’re offering private shopping by appointment and deliveries for over-the-phone orders (book via phone or email).
Now that we’ve all become pro bakers and are trying to get through the humungous bags of flour we may have purchased, Whistler Kitchen Works has the utensils, dishes and cute cupcake holders we’re after. They’re open on Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 AM to 3 PM and also by appointment. Keep your eye on their Facebook page for more information.
However, if your first attempt at a multilayered cake doesn’t quite pan out (no pun intended), some of the more seasoned pros are delivering.
You can now book a virtual shopping appointment at the Audain Art Museum‘s shop and have their manager assist you with a browse, giving you lots of intel on the artists featured. Book via email: shop@audainartmuseum.com.
3 Singing Birds have moved most of their beautifully curated stock online and offer free delivery throughout Whistler and Pemberton. To set up a drop-in shopping appointment contact them through social, email or phone. They’re running an additional online order pick-up this coming Saturday between 12 – 2 PM for any last minute Mother’s Day orders.
Open Country and OC2 are posting photos from their collection via their social channels, which you can order online or try on in-store via a private shopping appointment, bookable via social, email or phone.
If you’re after something sparkly then book an appointment at Keir Fine Jewellery (Village location) who are currently open this Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM, with 25% off select items. They also donate 25% of the sales from their Inukshuk line to the local food banks. Ruby Tuesday Accessories and the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre also have a great selection of jewelry featuring local artisans, with online shopping and local pick-up available.
Both Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont and Adele Campbell Fine Art Gallery are offering virtual art viewings and digital installs. If you’re not familiar with that term, it’s when they take a photo of the wall space you’re looking to fill and digitally impose the artwork onto it so you can see what it would look like in situ.
Note: Opening hours and safety protocols are changing constantly, so for up-to-date business information please take a look at Whistler.com’s business list as it’s adjusted daily.
Dedicated Delivery
Although some stores might not be able to open right now, they’ve pushed product sales online and are offering free delivery locally in order to get you what you need. Some have even delivered on the educational front, anyone for at-home waxing tips?
Get the Goods in Creekside has some great at-home creative project products in stock. They have plate painting kits, garden tool sets, k0mbucha-making packs, puzzles and colouring sets. All of their stock is online and they offer free, same-day local delivery and a 10% discount for locals.
Local clothing store Amos and Andes have shown their customers exactly what the new buying and delivery process looks like for their clients in their latest YouTube video. They’re known for their amazing sweater selection, but come summer they switch to highlighting a unique selection of dresses. You can view these online, with the option of having a few different sizes delivered, so you can try before you buy in the comfort of your own home.
Local, Stacey Gaff owns Whistler Day Spa, located inside the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre. She’s a veteran esthetician, with 21 years of experience and decided to share some of her know-how to keep people from some at-home spa disasters (put the tweezers down now). She’s sharing DYI tutorials via Facebook covering home spa ideas, free skin consultations, and general beauty tips and tricks (no purchase necessary). Whistler Day Spa, Eco Chic Spa and Whistler Medical Aesthetics are all currently offering the delivery of products if there’s something spa-specific you need.
Bike Shop Update
A lot of our bike stores are now up and running, with by-appointment viewing, bike maintenance services and free, local delivery if you know what you’re after.
Arbutus Routes in the Upper Village is open for bike servicing (book in advance online) Tuesday to Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM. They have a limited selection of retail on display, but the full selection is online and they’re offering free local delivery.
Fanatyk Co is open 10 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Saturday and the team is asking people to come into the store one person at a time. They have all their usual bike retail and fixing services, and store pooch Pikka will take a treat if you bring one.
Evolution is open every day of the week from 11 AM to 6 PM. They’ve got Pemberton Distillery hand sanitizer right at the front door and are limiting numbers to two customers at a time. Bargain alert – last year’s clothing, helmets and gloves are 40 – 50% off!
Whistler Bike Co. is open 10 AM to 6 PM seven days a week offering bike servicing and one in, one out shopping (no trying on).
Spicy Sports in Le Chamois is open Monday to Friday from 10 AM – 5 PM for bike tunes by appointment until May 22, when they’ll be shifting operations to seven days a week.
Gateway Bikes is currently open every day of the week from 11 Am – 5 PM offering bike tune-ups and repairs, as well as ex-rental bike sales and clothing / accessories. They are also offering bike rentals and sterilize any rental equipment after each use. They ask that guests sanitize hands before entering the shop (hand sanitizer provided), respect the two-metre phyisical distancing and stick to one group in the store at a time.
If you are heading out on the trails remember to stay in your own community and on trails you are familiar with. Bike within your ability and practice physical distancing on the trails, at trailheads and in parking lots. Ride safe!
Senka Florist is delivering on Sunday this week and you should keep an eye on their social channels as they’ve been running bouquet arranging classes you can do at home.
Where flowers bloom, so does hope and just like you, we hope it won’t be long until we can all be together. Please stay home and follow the advice of health authorities to keep yourself and others safe.
If you follow our social media channels, you’ll notice we’re continuing to share photos of Whistler. We hope to inspire feelings of calm and happiness during a time when we all need it most.
