Shopping

South Kootenay Shopping

Shopping is always a pleasant experience in the South Kootenays. It's friendly and you can always find a parking space. Unlike our urban counterparts where hourly parking can cost more than you make an hour, the meters in Trails still take nickels and all other municipalities do not have meters. Many of the local shops are heritage buildings with unique architecture that makes for a picturesque outing regardless of what you're shopping for. In the warm summer months many of the retailers will place chairs outside their stores for shoppers to sit, relax and enjoy the surroundings. Poke around for curios and antiques, arts and crafts and locally made souvenirs or get the best advice from the local sports pros in the know for technical gear for all sports.

"The Mall" & Big Box Retail

If your a power shopper you will love the Waneta Plaza shopping area, otherwise known as "the Mall". Waneta Plaza itself houses 30 retail and specialty stores including a Zellers department store, Extra Foods, a Sears outlet store, and even a free "ball room" play area to amuse the kids while you relax in the foodcourt. Just down the block from Waneta Plaza is where Walmart opened their newly built store in late 2004 complete with a McDonalds, a Pharmacy and a Tire & Lube Express.

As soon as Walmart opened their doors Canadian Tire broke ground on a new store that opened in 2005. The store contains a Mark's Work Warehouse and is practically right across the street from Walmart. There is also a large Home Hardware and various other furniture, hardware, specialty stores and restaurants in the area. Garden lovers will love the Columbia Valley Greenhouses. The greenhouse has a large assortment of gardening products and greenery, so be prepared to spend a little time there. Again, this is all located in Waneta AKA "the mall area".

Need More?

If you are in need of an urban based shopping fix Spokane Washington is only 2.5 hrs away and Kelowna is a 3.5hrs drive, but be warned... Parking may cost more than 5¢.