Shopping in Calgary

The undergarment experts at She Apparel earned the upscale boutique the honour of Calgary's Best Retail Experience in the 2011 Calgary Choice Awards with the help of their 50 hours of training in proper fitting methods. She Apparel, a winner in the lingerie store category for Calgary Herald's 2012-13 Readers’ Choice Awards, introduces women of all body types to upscale, international lingerie and swimwear, ensuring a proper fit from cup to strap (the boutique's selection encompasses cup sizes A–K and back sizes 28–48). They act as personalized shoppers, presenting customers with corsets, bras, and garters from brands such as Chantelle and Evollove, and once a woman has been fitted at the store, they save her measurements in a profile. This can be especially helpful for men who want to buy their wife or girlfriend a gift. She Apparel also outfits men in upscale Naked underwear, crafted from soft Italian fabric that seamlessly forms to the male figure.

Between birthdays and holidays, there always seems to be a reason to buy a gift. And sometimes, the best time to buy a gift is when there is no reason at all other than to show you care. Nestled in West Market Square's rustic shopping getaway, Cobblestone Corner offers customers a wide selection of memory-making gifts for any loved one or occasion. Shoppers can pick out stylish, contemporary jewellery for a friend's birthday, gourmet dip mixes and soy candles to surprise a significant other, or treats and toys to congratulate the family dog on befriending the mailman. Bath products from Rocky Mountain invite recipients to relax and melt their cares away, and seasonal decor and gifts brighten homes for any holiday. Helpful, friendly staff members shepherd visitors through the smorgasbord of wares, with complimentary gift bagging for any purchase.

First opened in Vancouver, Bang-On T-Shirts' shops have spread over the past decade to dot the globe. No matter which continent they call home, the custom-printing stores emphasize a retro style, filling their binders with hundreds of images inspired by fashion, pop culture, and music. Patrons flip through the binder of in-store designs, selecting ones to customize or print as is. Creative types bring their own photos or illustrations of the monster living under their house in for pressing. Once customers lay out their T-shirts and tank-top patterns, staffers emblazon the cotton tops right in front of them.

Casablanca Video, like the Warner Bros. classic for which it was named, has become is a special ritual for local film buffs. The business was opened in 1982 by self-described "fan boy" Jon Lord, who at the time stocked only 150 movies. As the 1980s betamax tapes evolved into 1990s VHS, the shop's vibrant atmosphere and knowledgeable staffers gained the respect of renters. Loyal customers and Jon's commitment to serving up interesting titles from off the beaten path of Hollywood resulted in a rapid expansion. During one stretch, the business doubled in size annually for six straight years thanks to booming membership rolls and constantly self-replicating Ernest videos. Today, Casablanca thrives as a grand buffet catering to all filmic tastes, frequently garnering a top place on Fast Forward Weely magazine's readers' choice list. No fewer than 30,000 titles saturate aisles teeming with new releases, classics, and art-house fare—many available on current platforms such as DVD and Blu-ray as well as bygone movie formats.

With a mixture of degrees, residencies, and awards from lauded ocular institutions, Dr. Farah Sunderji draws upon years of educational and experiential expertise whenever she meets with a patient. One of several on-site optometrists stationed at Eye on 17th, Dr. Sunderji inspects and pairs eyes with appropriate prescription lenses. Those lenses can be affixed to more than 1,300 brand-name frames from designers such as Gucci and Jimmy Choo. Trained staffers can also abet clientele in finding befitting contact lenses within Eye of 17th's lounge-like facility, which features a bar-inspired counter and space-inspired spaciousness.

The Place For Men combines the sophistication of a high-end boutique with the affordability of a clearance centre, resulting in a one-stop shop for customers in search of well-fitting suits, shirts, and customizable accessories. Like a yacht made of generic cereal boxes, the well-stocked haberdashery fuses luxury and thrift, decking out clients in stylish finery from designers such as Marco Donateli and Cerruti, as well as casual wear for everyday occasions. The boutique's collection of accessories and one-of-a-kind items helps polish off new ensembles with shoes, outerwear, designer wallets, and shiny cufflinks.