Shopping in St. Albert

Seven-feet wide, 30-feet deep. Those were the pocket-sized dimensions of the original Wee Book Inn–and the reason for its name. Established on Whyte Avenue in 1971 by Edmonton native Darwin Luxford, that first shop spawned four additional locations during the 1980s, making space for an ever-growing selection of books and media.

In December 1990, disastrous fires destroyed two Wee Book Inns, including the flagship shop on Whyte Avenue. Within two years, however, both locations were rebuilt, restocked, and back in business. Today, Wee Book's roster of shops continues to do what it's done for more than four decades: buy and sell lightly used books and media, adjusting always to keep pace with the times. Inside, visitors may run into Wee Book's cats, as well, each of who bares the name of a former professional hockey player.

What began in 1998 as a business run out of Diane Shaw and John Foo's basement has blossomed into an empire of three brick-and-mortar shops, a warehouse, and an online emporium bursting with handy teaching tools and toys. Education Station's extensive collection supports the healthy mental and physical development of kids of all ages, whether they're honing fine motor skills or penning thought-provoking postmodern critiques of children's literature. Youngsters share quality time with parents and siblings over informative games, puzzles, and playthings, and teachers shape bright young minds with classroom supplies and lesson-plan supplements. Each shiny new e-book, fun toy, and challenging puzzle is hand-selected and fosters long-term learning and intellectual development.

At Dallas Frame & Arts, expert staffers navigate a selection of more than 4,000 frame mouldings to help customers find one that showcases their prints, matches their decor, and fits their budget. Their diverse styles range from rustic wood and modern metal to ornate gold leaf and whimsical heart and oval shapes. The staff also taps into 25 years of experience to design frames and mats that fit and preserve your prints. In addition, they can create custom shadowboxes to display sentimental objects or secure grandpa's consistently misplaced reading glasses.

The shop also stocks artwork, prints, and posters from internationally famous names such as Thomas Kinkade, as well as regional artists including Alex Halliburton, Jack Ellis, and Robert Bailey.

First debuting as a DIY accessory shop in 1986 at Vancouver's Granville Island Public Market, Beadworks has since expanded into a quartet of colourful shops that strive to meet the evolving needs of beading fanatics. Boasting a selection of products that encompasses more than 30,000 items, each store equips beading and jewellery artisans with a huge array of materials, tools, and accessories for creating wearable works of art. Chains sparkle in hues of gunmetal, copper, and sterling silver; Swarovski crystal beads, freshwater pearls, and rhinestone rondelles sparkle as brilliantly as a nuclear physicist wrapped in tinfoil. Books and tools help to guide burgeoning bead manipulators in their craft, helping to facilitate the use of techniques and updates on current trends.

Amedeo Exclusive keeps gentlemen looking dapper with an assortment of formalwear and business togs crafted from luxurious materials including silk, cashmere, and expertly milled cotton. Neckties adorn collars with over 110 brilliant colours with matching stainless steel tie clips and cufflinks, allowing customers to create meticulously coordinated outfits or proud displays of their old kindergarten's school colours. Elegant French cuffs ring the sleeves of tonal-stitched dress shirts, and skinny ties infuse ensembles with a youthful, contemporary flair. Bowties and pocket squares of Italian silk accent formal costumes with old-school class, as accessories such as bronze business-card holders cherry-top business outfits with an extra note of sophistication.

Shoeuphoria keeps feet fashionably and comfortably outfitted with styles from designers including Steve Madden, Rockport, Blondo, and Harley Davidson Footwear. Amid the boutique’s sophisticated atmosphere, shelves mounted on blue-grey walls display flats, boots, pumps, and other women’s footwear. The store also sells men’s shoes and harmonious accessories such as scarves and handbags that critique hairstyles in an operatic voice.