Shopping in Ferndale

Ladyfern's staffers strive to empower women through the yoga lifestyle. They stock their shop with activewear that meets the modern urban woman's demand for fashionable, flattering styles that comfortably twist, stretch, and knot into a pretzel. Every season, they usher in a fresh shipment of trendy apparel, such as Second denim's hand-distressed, ultra-flexible yoga jeans. In an effort to stay earth-friendly, Ladyfern showcases green items such as Organic Planet soaps, bamboo water bottles, and organic-cotton sweaters. They also support their community by seeking out Canadian brands, including Montreal's Fig, Vancouver's Früv, and British Columbia's The Sonja Picard Collection.

Privilege Clothing Boutique's sartorial gurus relish in unleashing shoppers' inner style icons by making outfit suggestions based on individual tastes and lifestyles. The ever-changing lineup of apparel and accessories is culled from brands including French Connection, J. Lindeberg, and Hugo Boss. Among the well-stocked shelves and racks of the Surrey and Port Moody stores, black-and-white damask wallpaper envelops patrons with a pattern reminiscent of a French cabaret lounge or a debonair Barbie dream house.

The online store’s pixelated hangers sway with the same garments found in-store, and digital browsers have the added bonus of restocking their wardrobes from the comfort of their homes.

At Champion Jack's Emporium, owners Jason R. Nicholas and Amelia J. MacArthur have created a shrine to North American history and culture by amassing an eclectic, hand-picked collection of local and vintage clothing, records, and accessories, with some items dating as far back as the '20s. Vintage wearables for men, women, and kids resurrect the glamour and spirit of bygone eras, with an ever-changing selection that can include everything from dresses donning the psychedelic prints popular in the 1960s to the leather jackets favored by punks and members of Parliament throughout the '80s. Mint-condition vinyls, cassettes, and CDs suit musical tastes ranging from grindcore and classic rock to indie, folk, and pop, and even include selections from rare songsmiths such as Citizen Punk and local outfits Vacant State.

Bhupinder Oberoi, an experienced optician and contact-lens fitter, founded Gladwin Optical in 1993 with the help of his wife, brother, and sister-in-law. Today, the family also gets assistance from Oberoi’s daughters and nephews as they stock the shop with a large selection of designer frames by brands such as Gucci, Coach, and Versace, and perform free diagnostic optical tests to help patients determine whether their friends are real or imagined. Gladwin Optical can also outfit faces with prescription sunglasses to ensure a perfect view of every brilliant sunset or distant tire fire.

The staff at UV Optical stocks hundreds of prescription sunglasses and eyeglasses from brands such as Dior, Ray-Ban, and Giorgio Armani. Licensed, in-store opticians match customers with appropriate prescriptions during complimentary in-store sight testing, help them find new frames, and hand over completely ready eyewear in less than an hour. After new specs are toted home, they're covered with a free one-year frame guarantee, which covers a single damage-causing incident, such as sledding face-first down a sand dune. The opticians always offer free repairs or adjustments at either of UV Optical's two locations.

Words aren’t always necessary to show someone you care. The florists at Blumen Floral Boutique let flowers do the talking with their colourful petals and sweet scents. To make the message as clear as possible, head designer Nghia Diep and his team transform seasonal blossoms into hand-tied bouquets, boutonnieres, and bundles that spring from stylish containers such as glass blocks and ceramic pots. Nghia can also create large arrangements for special events such as weddings, graduations, and corporate celebrations. They deliver their aromatic masterpieces to nearly any location in the Lower Mainland, and they partner with FTD to transport their bouquets to international and intergalactic addresses.

Though Blumen Floral Boutique specializes in floral arrangements, it strives to position itself as a one-stop shop for anyone looking for a thoughtful gift or simple trinket to brighten up a dreary day, such as handmade cards by local artists, scented candles, and books of motivational quotes. The boutique even offers floral-design classes and microlandscaping services for your patio or deck.