Walk this way, shop this way

Credit: Lena Gerber

Love shopping in Vancouver? There’s an app for that

Do you usually shop in the same areas out of habit? Have you been wanting to explore other local fashion hubs but not sure where to go? Then you might want to check out ChicWalks Vancouver, a mobile app that can be downloaded onto your iPhone, iPod Touch, Blackberry or SmartPhone. It is essentially a city shopping guide, complete with Google maps, neighbourhood descriptions and store listings.

ChicWalks currently focuses on the city of Vancouver, mapping out eight “Shopping Walks” that cover the neighbourhoods of Main Street, South Granville, Gastown, Granville Island, Robson Street, Downtown, Yaletown, West 4th. There is also one for Whistler Village. Stores in each neighbourhood are listed by block, and a brief description accompanies each listing. Using the app, you will be able to plan out a walking/shopping tour of each neighbourhood.

As the warmer, sunnier seasons approach, and we become eager to show off those pretty pedicures and cute flip-flops, this can be quite a handy tool to have when exploring the city.

What’s more, ChicWalks has partnered with select shops to offer exclusive discounts to ChicWalkers!

What I’d love to see, though, are Walks that are arranged by specific types of shops. For example, it would be great if I can bring up a list of all the consignment stores on Commercial Drive when I’m in the neighbourhood. Or, say, a map of all the independent boutiques on Main Street. I would find this more helpful than a list of all the stores on a street block.

I definitely could’ve used a neighbourhood Walk arranged by baby stores last month during shower season!

As this is a relatively new app, debuting in late December last year, it will continue to expand to cover more neighbourhoods and provide more refined searches. The possibilities are numerous and it’s all very exciting. I hear a “Vintage Walk” is currently being developed, and I can’t wait to check it out to see what hidden gems I have yet to discover!

One more thing I’d like to highlight is that ChicWalks aims beyond getting us out and about, the collective also hosts regular events to give kindred spirits in the community a chance to get together in group walks or other networking events—who says technology alienates people?