Calgary’s Most Unique Local Shops
Get a glimpse into the city’s personality with this eclectic list of independent shops.
Plant (Credit: Tourism Calgary/Taylor Burk)
From the eclectic shops of Inglewood to the style-forward boutiques of 17th Avenue, Calgary’s shopping scene is as diverse as its neighbourhoods. Locally-owned shops offer more than just things to buy, they offer a glimpse into the city’s personality. Whether you’re hunting for handcrafted home goods, fashion finds, or thoughtful souvenirs, these spots reflect the best of Calgary’s independent spirit.
Moonstone Creations (Credit: Travel Alberta/ROAM Creative)
Local shops in Inglewood
Inglewood is where Calgary’s creative soul shines. The city’s oldest neighbourhood is brimming with indie boutiques, artisan studios, and quirky storefronts you won’t find anywhere else.
Recordland
A Calgary music institution, Recordland has been spinning vinyl dreams since the '70s. With over a million records packed into a maze of shelves, it’s a paradise for crate diggers and curious collectors alike.
Location: 1208 9 Ave SE
You’ll find: Vinyl records, CDs, and even cassettes
Recess
A thoughtfully curated stationery shop designed to spark creativity and boost productivity. Recess is all about beautifully made tools - planners, pens, paper goods - that help ideas flow and make everyday work a little more joyful.
Location: 1323 9 Ave SE
You’ll find: Stationery, planners, creative tools
Recess (Credit: Tourism Calgary/James Young)
Plant
Part greenhouse, part lifestyle boutique, Plant is an urban jungle in Inglewood. Find terrariums, local ceramics, and botanical treasures galore.
Location: 1327 9 Ave SE
You’ll find: Houseplants, handmade pots, home décorMoonstone Creation
Moonstone Creation was started by an Indigenous mother-daughter duo and sits in a historic home. The store features hand-crafted beadwork, jewellery, and art from more than 60 Canadian artists.
Location: 1219 10 Ave SE
You’ll find: Indigenous-made art and jewellery
The CampLand Institute of Leisurely Pursuits
CampLand is a quirky, nostalgia-inducing shop for people who love the outdoors. Think functional gear meets playful camp vibes - perfect for your next campfire cook-out or alpine adventure.
Location: 1119 10 Ave SE #100
You’ll find: Outdoor apparel, woodsy gifts, enamelware
Cody & Sioux
Cowgirl chic with modern flair. Cody & Sioux blends western fashion with boho charm - leather fringe, turquoise, and all.
Location: 1312 9 Ave SE
You’ll find: Western fashion, boots, jewellery
Silk Road Spice Merchant
Smell your way through this aromatic apothecary of global spices and local blends. Silk Road is a cook’s (and baker’s) dream. Don’t forget to pick up one of their locally inspired spices - ‘Inglewood Everything Blend’, ‘Ramsay Yard Grilling Blend’, or ‘Bow River Fish Blend’.
Location: 1419 9 Ave SE
You’ll find: Spices, cookbooks, quality kitchen accessories
Smithbilt
Smithbilt has been crafting heritage headwear since 1919 and are the makers of Calgary’s iconic white cowboy hat. Tour the factory or grab a stylish souvenir steeped in Stampede spirit.
Location: 914 11 St SE
You’ll find: Cowboy hats, western wear, handmade heritage pieces
Smithbilt (Credit: Tourism Calgary/Taylor Burk)
Alberta Boot Co. (Credit: Tourism Calgary/Taylor Burk)
Local shops downtown
Downtown Calgary isn’t just home to incredible restaurants, clubs, and theatres, it’s also got a diverse mix of independent shops tucked between the towers.
Alberta Boot Co.
Get a pair of cowboy boots made the old-fashioned way - right in-house. Browse styles worn by royalty, rodeo stars, and rugged locals alike. You can even work with the Alberta Boot Co. team to customize your own pair of cowboy boots.
Location: 121 10 Ave SW
You’ll find: Cowboy boots, leather goods, western wear
The Cookbook Co. Cooks
The Cookbook Co. is more than just a cookbook store – although they have over 2,000 of them - it is a hub for food lovers. You can browse through endless kitchen accessories, take a cooking class, or get recipe suggestions from passionate staff.
Location: 722 11 Ave SW
You’ll find: Cookbooks, kitchen gadgets, high-end pantry items
Fieldstudy
Rooted in craftsmanship and sustainability, Fieldstudy offers beautifully made goods with a story. Every piece from textiles to apothecary items is thoughtfully selected for its quality, integrity, and connection to local artisans.
Location: 1812 4 St SW #102
You’ll find: Handcrafted home goods, natural skincare, textiles
Stuff
Stuff sells a distinctive mix of masculine home décor, personal accessories, and cheeky gifts. If you’re ever wondering what to get for the men in your life, this is the spot.
Location: 709 11 Ave SW #102
You’ll find: Lifestyle goods, gifts, men’s grooming accessories
Shelf Life Books
Independent, fiercely local, and proudly literary, Shelf Life Books is a Calgary favourite for hardcore book worms. Their shelves are packed with thought-provoking fiction, local authors, progressive nonfiction, and hidden gems you won’t find at bigger chains.
Location: 1302 4 St SW #100
You’ll find: New books, local authors, timely finds
Pages (Credit: Tourism Calgary/Taylor Burk)
Local shops in Kensington
Kensington is a little neighbourhood lined with shops and restaurants just north of the Bow River. Its storefronts are filled with indie bookstores, consignment boutiques, and novelty shops.
Pages
Pages is a beloved independent bookstore with deep local roots. Three cozy levels of new and used books make it the kind of place where book lovers easily lose track of time. Make sure to also check out their beautiful second location in Inglewood called The Next Page.
Location: 1135 Kensington Rd NW
You’ll find: New books, used books, literary-inspired gifts
Peacock Boutique
Calgary’s original consignment store, Peacock Boutique has been part of the city’s fashion scene since 1975. Over that time, it's expanded to three locations. Its original location in Kensington is a destination for stylish, sustainable shopping with a local legacy.
Location: 1145 Kensington Crescent NW
You’ll find: Designer consignment, women’s fashion, accessories
Nanao Kimono
This charming Japanese lifestyle shop carries a wide selection of products from kimonos to kitchen essentials. Browsing the colourful aisles at Nanao Kimono is a fun and sensory experience.
Location: 215 10 Street NW Calgary
You’ll find: Japanese ceramics, stationary, textiles
The Scottish Shoppe & A Little Bit of Ireland
Kilts, clan crests, and bagpipes—this family-run shop is a little slice of Scotland in Calgary. The items at The Scottish Shoppe are traditional, authentic, and packed with Scottish pride.
Location: 106A 10 St NW
You’ll find: Highland dress, Celtic jewellery, Scottish imports
Hot Wax Records
One of Calgary’s longest-running record stores, Hot Wax is a music lover’s haven with deep bins and passionate staff. A go-to for vinyl old and new.
Location: 114 10 St NW
You’ll find: Vinyl records, posters, music memorabilia
Hidden Gem Local Market
A collective-style shop celebrating more than 90 local makers and creators. Hidden Gem lives up to its name with a constantly rotating selection of handmade, upcycled, and small-batch items.
Location: 1145 Kensington Crescent NW
You’ll find: Artisanal creations, local crafts, vintage finds
Shopping on 17th Ave (Credit: Travel Alberta)
Local shops on 17th Ave
At night, 17th Ave is the heartbeat of Calgary’s nightlife scene, but during the day it’s a shopper's dream with vintage stores, gift shops, and longtime local favourites.
Steeling Home
Part gift shop, part curiosity cabinet, Steeling Home is packed with personality. From witty cards to handmade homewares, you never know what you’ll find. It’s also got plenty of Calgary-themed gifts, perfect for souvenirs.
Location: 1010 17 Ave SW
You’ll find: Gifts, cards, home décor
Reid’s Stationers
A Calgary classic since 1984, Reid’s is where stationery dreams come true. It’s the largest fountain pen and ink store in Western Canada. Plus, it’s home to puzzles, books, games and old-school charm that spans generations.
Location: 710 17 Ave SW
You’ll find: Stationery, art supplies, fancy pens
Rubaiyat
An elegant shop filled with beautiful things from art glass and pottery to handcrafted jewellery and décor. Rubaiyat is family-owned and well-known locally for its curated, gallery-like vibe.
Location: 722 17 Ave SW
You’ll find: Art glass, jewellery, artisanal décor
Sloth Records
A Calgary institution for music lovers, Sloth Records offers deep crates of vinyl, hard-to-find CDs, turntables, and shelves of indie comics and zines. Their collection leans proudly local, making it a must-visit for collectors and curious browsers alike.
Location: 736b 17 Ave SW
You’ll find: Records, turntables, small press comics, local music
Backstage Kloset
Looking to spice up your wardrobe? Backstage Kloset offers curated streetwear, accessories, and statement pieces from independent and up-and-coming brands.
Location: 1314b 17 Ave SW
You’ll find: Streetwear, fashion accessories, unique apparel
Luke's Drug Mart (Credit: Tourism Calgary/James Young)
Other unique local shops
Haven’t quite found what you’re looking for? Calgary’s got plenty more independent stores for you to check out.
Alberta Craft Gallery - pottery, jewellery, homewares
espy - designer clothes, personal styling
Fair’s Fair - used books
Kent of Inglewood - shaving products, knives, axes
Luke's Drug Mart - records, gifts, stationary
Luna Blue - shoes, handpicked apparel
Milk Jar - candles, diffusers
Tigerstedt & Friends - Japanese stationary, vintage clothing, candy
TUU by COUTUKITSCH - jewellery, apparel, accessories
