Each of the larger communities has its own shopping district. Some of these have attracted malls, and some not.
Okanagan
Vernon’s 32nd Street (Highway 97)
This area, especially along the 30th Ave cross-street (west of Highway 97), has most of Vernon’s stores, restaurants and malls.
Kelowna’s Bernard St
This quaint little street with plenty of parking has a shopping district that extends from the waterfront along Abbott Street for several blocks. The shopping district is recognized by its wide street and diagonal parking. It has that “small town” feel and has a mix of stores and services that every local (and visitor) would expect.
Penticton’s Main Street
This street stretches between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake. At the northern end where it divides into two one-way streets, there are small shops and boutiques clustered together for pedestrian shopping. In the middle, south of the Penticton Museum, it becomes a cluster of Penticton’s malls.
Shuswap-Thompson
Kamloops Victoria Street
Kamloops has a large downtown shopping district covering several blocks, between Lansdowne Street (with the train station and the Memorial Arena) and Seymour Street, and between 1 Street and 9 Street. The area has lots of quaint shops, sidewalk cafes and restaurants.
Salmon Arm
There are a number of shops, services and mall along the Trans-Canada through Salmon Arm. The downtown shopping district is just north of the highway, and the city’s two shopping centres are south of the highway, to the west of downtown.
Revelstoke’s Main Street
This town has a small population, and much of its shopping traffic is from visitors to the area. The town has been renovated back to its turn-of-the-century look, from the early railroad days. The Main Street, with its views of the surrounding (but not too near) mountains has many charming shops and services.