18 Best Shopping in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

Fred's Records

Fodor's choice

Among its many musical offerings, this independent record store has the best selection of local recordings—about 1,000 individual titles. This local gathering spot is staffed by musicians and poets with a deep knowledge of music. Tell them you want to hear something new; you'll love what they offer.

Johnny Ruth

Fodor's choice

This large, eclectic space houses a fashionable clothing store, specialty gifts, and the signature Living Planet eco-friendly T-shirts, dresses, and baby onesies designed by local artists.

Posie Row & Co.

Fodor's choice

This shopping emporium is anchored on the first floor by Posie Row, a clothing and gift boutique with imported fashion items, beautiful stationery, jewelry, and more. The next three floors house a collection of local retailers selling everything from yarn and quilting fabric to house-made soaps and artist's prints.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Quidi Vidi Village Plantation

Fodor's choice

Local artists and artisans have their studios here, making this a perfect place to pick up original art and craft works, including textiles, prints, pottery, stained glass, leatherwork, and jewelry.

The Leyton Gallery of Fine Art

Fodor's choice

In a cozy space tucked between the industry of the harbor and the commercial buzz of Water Street, this gallery invites an intimacy and comfort with art, with a range of work from affordable new artists to museum pieces.

Broken Books

This is St. John's only independent bookstore. The well-curated selection ranges from the Penguin Classics to locally produced and hand-printed poetry, children's literature, art books, and magazines.
245 Duckworth St., St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
709-754--2442

Christina Parker Gallery

The gallery specializes in works by local artists, both established and new, from paintings and sculptures to drawings, prints, and other media.

Craft Council Shop & Pantry

Recently relocated from its Devon House location, the Newfoundland Craft Council's retail center showcases a juried selection of fine art and crafts from the province's most accomplished artists and makers. With traditional and contemporary work in a host of media including wood, pottery, textiles and more, there's something here for every taste and budget.

155 Water St., St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1C 1B3, Canada
709-702–4295

Devon House Craft Centre

Serving as headquarters of the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, the center displays local works and showcases innovative designs. Check out the exhibits upstairs.

Downhome Shoppe and Gallery

With thousands of books, crafts, artwork, music recordings, and souvenirs created by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, this shop occupying two adjacent late-1850s shopfronts is a great place to pick up a homegrown memento.

303 Water St., St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1C 1B9, Canada
709-722–2970

Eastern Edge Gallery

Artists that run this center present everything from paintings and drawings to performance and video art from emerging talents. In August each year, this artists' collective puts on "Hold Fast," a contemporary arts festival with events and installations throughout the city.

Emma Butler Gallery

Some of the province's most prominent and established artists show their works here in this peaceful space just across from the Convention Center.

Newfoundland Weavery

This gift shop offers a mix of novelty gift items, clothing, housewares, as well as higher-end local handcrafts and souvenirs. 

NONIA

The nonprofit shop also known as the Newfoundland Outport Nursing and Industrial Association was founded in 1920 to raise money for public health services, with the proceeds from the sale of the homespun, hand-knit clothes used to hire nurses. Today, it sells a variety of knits for all ages including the classic and much-coveted full-suit onesies for babies and toddlers.

O'Brien's Music Store

This shop bills itself as the oldest store on the oldest street in the oldest city in North America. It's worth a visit just to see the accordions, tin whistles, fiddles, ukuleles, and ugly sticks (traditional Newfoundland instruments made from discarded tools and household items) on display. The shop also stocks recorded music, and you are sure to see your favorite local musicians popping in for a purchase or a chat, and occasionally to play a tune.

278 Water St., St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1C 1B7, Canada
709-753–8135

The Lane Gallery

The gallery exhibits the well-composed seascapes, landscapes, and other photographs of Don Lane, a St. John's native. His offerings include an extensive collection of Newfoundland scenery, as well as photos from other places he has visited in the world.  

Travel Bug

Whether you need travel gear to get you through your vacation or a pleasant memento for when you get home, this little shop has lots of charming finds. From travel bags to eco-friendly toothbrushes, plus locally authored books, it's worth a browse. 

197 Water St., St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1C 1B4, Canada
709-738–2337

Wild Things

The people of Wildland Tours run this gift shop that's easy to spot—the entire building is covered with an oceanscape mural—and a great place to look for Newfoundlandia crafts and jewelry. The items for sale include labradorite jewelry, tea dolls, and traditional toys made from caribou hide and stuffed with loose tea.

124 Water St., St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1C 5J9, Canada
709-722–3524