Business Spotlight: Gastown's Hidden Gems

Gastown is known for the Steam Clock and tourist shops, but walk a block off Water Street and you'll find a different Gastown — one of independent designers, specialty coffee, and businesses that have been here for decades.

We spent a week walking every street in Gastown to find the shops, cafes, and services you might have missed. Here are our favorites.

**The Independents**

Tucked between the souvenir shops are independent clothing designers, handmade leather goods, and a hat maker who's been on the same corner for 30 years.

**Coffee Culture**

Gastown's coffee scene is serious. Single-origin pour-overs, house-roasted beans, and baristas who treat each cup like a craft project.

**After Dark**

Cocktail bars in heritage buildings, live jazz in intimate venues, and restaurants that source from BC farms.

**Why It Matters**

Gastown's independent businesses are fighting to keep the neighborhood authentic. Every purchase at a local shop is a vote for Gastown's character over another chain. ScoutLocal makes it easy to find them.