Brian JonesAre you looking for a unique or quirky present for somebody? Today’s your lucky day because we’ve reviewed the best gift shops in Edmonton to help you out.
We trekked all throughout the city to find stores that have personality and an eclectic collection of wares. We took into consideration their products as well as what their customers had to say.
Now, if you’re ready to take a look at what the city has to offer, let’s go ahead and go through our list of the top gift shops in Edmonton.
1. Hideout Distro
| PRODUCTS | Home Goods, Bath & Body, Clothing, Accessories, Fun & Games, Art & Stickers, Cards & Stationary, Books & Literature, Music, Smoke |
| WEBSITE | https://hideoutdistro.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 12407 108 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (780) 249-8303 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Tuesday to Wednesday: 11:00am – 6:00pm Thursday: 11:00am – 8:00pm Friday: 11:00am – 6:00pm Saturday: 11:00am – 5:00pm Sunday: 11:00am – 4:00pm |
The Hideout Distro is a general store that sells only locally made products. Their unique inventory showcases items from independent artists and designers from Edmonton and the rest of Canada.
“Distro” is short for distribution, which fits their general theme. As a general merchant, they feature an eclectic collection of goods: ceramics, bath & body products, clothing, and even artwork, just to name a few.
Established in 2016, Hideout Distro had humble beginnings in a small space in the Mercer Building. Due to their popularity with the local community, they were able to upgrade to their current pet-friendly location in the 124th Street District.
They sell indie music, vinyl, and books, and you’re more than welcome to hang in the store and browse through records or their literature. There are also some nearby cafes and restaurants that you could drop by before or after visiting the shop.
Do take note that there are steps in the store, which may prove to be difficult for those with mobility issues. On the other hand, you do get free parking here for two hours, so you can also just take your time and have your companions assist you.
All in all, they have an interesting collection of items from clothing to accessories, home goods to games, which makes the Hideout Distro a one-stop general shop where you are sure to find something for anybody.
Pros
- Free shipping to anywhere in Canada for orders over $150
- Features all locally made products
- Wide selection and genre of items
- Free two-hour parking
Cons
- Inconsistent operating hours
- Steps in store are not good for accessibility
Customer Reviews
Jamie Olesen loves the atmosphere at Hideout Distro and recommends it for its uniqueness. He writes:
“Such a cool shop. Unique items you won’t find elsewhere, many of which have Edmonton Artist connections. Perfect spot to find a gift for someone with great taste who also values high-end authenticity.”
Mellissa Toma, on the other hand, likes that it’s a pet friendly space as well. She share:
“A well curated, thoughtfully put together shopping experience. Pet friendly, chill environment, where you can shop and support local artisans and find lots sustainable lifestyle brands too! Super friendly service in a welcoming environment. Lots of parking near, Shopping online here is great too!”
2. The Maker’s Keep
| PRODUCTS | Accessories, Adult Clothing, Art, Baby and Kids, Bath & Body, Blankets & Pillows, Cards, Celebration, Ceramics, Cleaning, Crafts & DIY’s, Drinkware, Food and Drink, For Him, Gift Bundles / Ideas, Gift Cards, Health and Wellness, Home Decor, Household Stuff, Jewellery, Keepsakes by TMK, Makeup, Pets, Scents, Stationary, YEG, Holiday |
| WEBSITE | https://themakerskeep.com/ |
| ADDRESS | Kingsway Mall 1 Kingsway Garden Mall Northwest, Edmonton, AB T5G 3A6 The Grand On 124th 10806 124 Street, Edmonton, AB T5M 0H3 The Enjoy Centre 101 Riel Dr, St. Albert, AB T8N 3X4 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Kingsway Mall Tel. 780-471-2304 The Grand On 124th Tel. 780-452-3891 The Enjoy Centre Tel. 780-999-7160 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Kingsway Mall Monday to Friday: 11AM – 7PM Saturday: 10AM – 6PM Sunday: 11AM – 5PM The Grand On 124th Monday: Closed Tuesday to Sunday: 10AM – 5PM The Enjoy Centre Sunday & Saturday: 10AM – 4PM Monday to Friday: 10AM – 5PM |
The Maker’s Keep is one of those stores where you get a fuzzy, warm feeling as soon as you step inside. It’s overflowing with an abundance of charm and trinkets that make you just want to buy everything in sight.
This gift shop is the brainchild of a jewelry designer and maker, Katrina Petryshyn, and the ambiance of the store certainly reflects her attention to detail. The idea for this store came from a co-op in Cape Town on a trip to South Africa, but with her own personal touch.
With the feel of a night market, this gift and specialty shop carries a wide array of crafts and things such as clothing, cards, baby stuff, art, makeup, and stationery, just to name a few. It features goods from local businesses and designers and is all proudly Canadian.
We like the Maker’s Keep because it is more than just a specialty store – it’s a community of local “makers” coming together to connect with customers and other vendors. The curated handicrafts have drawn in people from all over Edmonton in a cycle of support for those residing in YEG.
You can even give a friend or a loved one a gift card or an e-gift card to shop here. Prices range from $10 – $500, making it easy for the person receiving it to get a whole load of unique trinkets.
The Maker’s Keep is a good place to visit if you’re not sure what you’re looking for – the assortment of goods sold here is sure to inspire you to buy a gift or two (or maybe more). With new products added regularly, we won’t be surprised if you’ll visit the Maker’s Keep time and time again.
Pros
- Charming ambiance
- Wide assortment of gifts and paper products
- Gift cards and e-gift cards up to $500 worth
- Easy application for new vendors
- Multiple locations
Cons
- Different operating hours for each store
- Vendors are temporary and items may rotate quickly
Customer Reviews
Ashley Eby likes the wide assortment of items from local artists at The Maker’s Keep as she comments:
“Such cute items from local artists! I love buying gifts and thank you cards here! The girls are all so wonderful and helpful. Will always recommend!”
Katie Deck, on the other hand, is a fellow “maker”, and likes the community vibe of the place. She shares:
“I always enjoy visiting the shops and chatting with the staff and sometimes meeting another maker while I’m in store. I buy the majority of my gifts here as I always find something for everyone on my list! It’s really cool to see what people in the community have created and learning their stories. Highly recommend!”
3. Tix On the Square
| PRODUCTS | Author, Bath And Body, Home Goods, Clothing, Jewelry, Photography, Pottery, Textiles, Visual Artist, Wood Worker |
| WEBSITE | https://www.tixonthesquare.ca/ |
| ADDRESS | 9930 102 Avenue, Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5H7 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (780) 420-1757 Toll Free: 1-877-888-1757 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm Saturday: 11:00am – 4:00pm |
TIX on the Square is a non-profit gift shop and community box office that’s owned and operated by the Edmonton Arts Council. While it might seem like a strange combination, it’s one of the most popular shops in the city known for its eclectic collection of arts and goods.
We like it here because they provide a platform for local artists to showcase their work in a brick-and-mortar space. You’ll find curated pieces of photography, music, art, crafts, clothing, jewelry, and pottery here, among others.
While you may be strolling in here to appreciate the different wares, the diverse collection of goods at TIX on the Square makes it an ideal place to buy a gift for your special person. If you run out of gift ideas, you can always grab a couple of tickets or passes to a local event.
Although the vibe it gives off is more of a tourist gift shop than a casual novelty gift shop, the curated collection cycles regularly, so you may just spot new items that you didn’t see before. If you don’t visit to see the new goods, it’s also a great place to keep tabs on what’s happening in the art scene around the city.
You can even sign up to be a member of the Edmonton Arts Council from here either as a voting or non-voting individual or organization, priced at $50 and $25 respectively. As part of the council, you’ll be one of the first to receive news on events.
Pros
- Sells Edmonton-made goods and wares
- Offers gift certificates in any amount
- Can buy tickets for local events
- Great location in the city
Cons
- Tailored more to tourists as a souvenir shop
- Some items can be expensive
- Slim selection of items
Customer Reviews
Ravi Kant Sharma is a big fan of Tix on the Square and advises people to go there even if they don’t buy anything. He shares:
“Very nice, right on the spot, gift and local event tickets: Store. Aesthetically decorated, enthusiastically served and showcased place where you can buy , enjoy and assimilate the local artists’ artefacts and hand- made potteries/paintings and nice ready-to-bears. If you have some time, while u r in Churchill square, you will always relish 15 minutes spent in this marvel, does not matter if u don’t buy anything!!!”
Christopher Lui, another customer, reminds future customers what to look out for:
“Central location! Don’t forget they have a TicketMaster Booth inside!”
4. Specially Made
| PRODUCTS | Gift Baskets, Custom Gift Basket, Care Packages, House Warming Gifts, Birthday, Corporate Gifts, Thank You Gifts, Sympathy Gifts, Seasonal |
| WEBSITE | https://speciallymade.ca |
| ADDRESS | 2947 116 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6J 3T2, Canada |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Phone: (587) 988-0866 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday to Friday: 10:00am – 6:00pm Saturday: 10:00am – 5:00pm Sunday: 10:00am – 4:00pm |
Specially Made is run by two sisters, Mei and Kuo-Hsien, who have created a business built on “strategic” gift-giving. They make gift baskets for numerous occasions from personal gifts to corporate giveaways.
We like this gift shop because each basket can be fully customized to any occasion and for any person. This isn’t the type of shop that you just walk into, pick an item from, and leave – when you’re in Specially Made, you’ll collaborate to make the ideal gift.
If you need a housewarming gift, for example, you don’t have to spend hours planning and browsing through different shops to find the perfect present.
At Specially Made, they have over 20 “pre-made” gift baskets to choose from filled with a mixture of food and knick-knacks, with varying themes depending on the person you give it to.
Now you may be overwhelmed by all the selections to choose from, especially since each basket is unique and no two are the same. However, the wide array of choices still make it easier than shopping for each specialty item on your own, and Specially Made prioritizes choosing Edmonton-made products when possible.
So whether you need a present for a baby shower, a seasonal holiday, a birthday, or a simple way to say thank you, this shop has you covered. Each occasion has varying themes that you can choose from to fit both the purpose and the special person you’re gifting.
What we like about Specially Made is that they don’t limit themselves to just special occasion gifts – they also serve corporate clients, the hospitality industry, and real estate brokers. If you need a welcome package for a VIP or just something to accentuate a showroom, they literally have a basket for everybody.
Pros
- Prioritize using Edmonton-made products when possible
- Wide array of themed pre-made gift baskets
- Can create custom gift baskets
Cons
- Charges delivery fee of $25
- Can be quite expensive
Customer Reviews
Shy Bhasin, a customer, was in need of a basket for her best friend’s daughter’s birthday. She turned to Specially Made for help and has nothing but praise for the service and outcome. She shares:
“Mei did a wonderful job!! I was being picky and she got all the things I asked for and switched things around that I didn’t like! She was super understanding, kind and accomodating….just a real pleasure to deal with. I can tell she works really hard to please her customers. And her work is just so gorgeous…she did everything so creatively!! She was great and would recommend this company to all my friends!! Thanks Mei!! Bless your heart!! “
Rodney Hatcher, another customer, highly recommends Specially Made. Let’s listen to his story:
“If you are struggling to think of/find a great gift for someone you care about, stop looking because you’ve found your solution. Specially made is by far the best place to go for custom gift baskets. The owner, Mei, is a dream to work with. She knows exactly which questions to ask to get to the heart of what you’re trying to find for someone. Not only is she thoughtful when putting everything together, but incredibly hardworking…I know exactly where I’m going the next time I need a gift basket either personally or professionally.”
FAQs about Gift Shops
And that’s the end of our list of the best gift shops in Edmonton. We hope you were able to find a store that you like to buy your presents!
Did we miss adding your favorite store? If so, send us a message and we’ll be happy to check it out!
Now that you’ve found a gift, maybe you’ll need a place to dine out for a special occasion as well. To make it interesting, you can check out our list of the best unique restaurants in Edmonton.
