Shopping in Anacortes

Some years ago, Paul and Caroline heard rumblings about water hyacinths. Their inner horticulturalists were intrigued because these plants bloom early and combat algae, but water hyacinths were only imported from Singapore at the time and often carried invasive parasites. So, the couple resolved to grow the plants themselves and start Woodbridge Ponds, a local greenhouse specializing in safe, locally cultivated specimens.

Today, their two-pronged business consists of Echo Nurseries, a 27,000-square-foot wholesale nursery, and Woodbridge Ponds, a sprawling retail shop brimming with beautiful water lilies and pond plants, lively fish, and essential pond hardware and supplies. All of the shop’s retail plants are grown at the adjacent nursery, ensuring that no seedlings get homesick while waiting for a new owner. Their friendly team of loyal local women helps visitors navigate hundreds of available plants, which gussy up large ponds and simple birdbaths alike.

At The Book Man’s two locations, half a million used books beckon to readers, impeccably organized into 72 categories on deep shelves and in spacious drawers. Family owned and operated by a daughter and father team, Amber and book man David illuminate wordy wares with full-spectrum lighting, which helps browsers find a specific book or take a peek at the first sentences of an unfamiliar tome. Although they stock plenty of well-known classics and bestsellers, one of David's favourite aspects of owning a bookstore is stocking unusual treasures. “That’s the whole fun of the bookstore,” he says, “finding those things that people didn’t know they were looking for until they see it.” Amber boasts 20-plus years of experience, oversees inventory databasing, and drives the internet and mail order aspect of their business, allowing customers to contact The Book Man and order books to be placed on hold.

Praised as a local gem by Fraser Valley Pulse, the shop has won awards for Best Bookstore in Chilliwack with its comfortable environment. The store’s unique, reader-friendly spirit has two mascots in store cats Nietzsche and Gatsby, who stalk the shelves of both stores and greet favoured guests with mewling demands to be petted. Customers are free to bring their dogs with them, or plop kiddies down in a play area lined with thousands of picture books and early readers.

The shelves and racks at Raleigh’s brim with a kaleidoscope of contemporary, urban apparel and accessories from a roster of top brands, many of which can't be found elsewhere in the city. Women peruse modern dresses and jeans from brands such as Baby Phat, Deréon, and Apple Bottoms while men scope out hoodies and shirts from such clothiers as Sean John and Rocawear. Like Earth’s makeup artist, the boutique’s fashion-conscious staff updates their inventory frequently to keep up with seasonal trends.

Since 1997, King's Music has served as a hotspot for budding and established musicians, offering rentals, repairs, and equipment. The shop offers a variety of brass- and wind-instrument rentals for school students taking band, and also buys and sells used instruments. They also hold a large selection of sheet music ranging from movie themes, to jazz, to essential rock, and also carry a plethora of accessories and instruments such as guitars and drums.

Cannor Nursery offers almost 2 acres of gardening necessities and stunning plants, including tropical varieties housed in a heated greenhouse. Assorted fruit trees, pitcher plants, and perennials bloom with the help of organic sea soil, lawn fertilizers, and wisdom from experienced employees who know the right way to talk a Venus fly trap out of eating an important person’s pet.

Scrap Arts, a paper crafts boutique, hosts a wide range of classes and themed craft parties for children and adults surrounded by shelves lined with vintage and retro stamps, papers, and embellishments. From decorating Altoid tins to crafting memento boxes to creating mixed media mirror collages, students at Scrap Arts kindle their creative fires while transforming everyday objects into eye-catching keepsakes. The store also carries card-making kits to celebrate all occasions, such as anniversaries, weddings, and the swallowing of your last baby tooth.