Shopping neighborhoods in SW Washington
In every city or county, there are neighborhoods where you can find a collection of small, independently owned shopping stores where you can find the unique, the curated, the boutique quality that can make a shopping trip worth your while. These are not national brand stores – these are the unique, home-grown stores that make “Shop Small” and “Small Business Saturday” such big hits. People love supporting local businesses – and here are a few of our favorites:
Battle Ground
Battle Ground is a tale of two halves. Half is mainly strip malls and big box stores. Don’t let first impressions put you off – the other half are small independent retail stores. They built a “New Town” center focused near the library which has an eclectic collection of new buildings made to look as if it’s been there a long time. Currently, they are mostly filled with restaurants, as the area struggled during Covid and lost several retail shops. “Old Town” is the area on East Main Street currently undergoing a bit of a renaissance. Although most of the buildings are rough on the outside, inside you’ll find a collection of well-curated collections of home furnishing stores and antique malls. You’ll enjoy wandering through this cluster of stores: Trove – a store of Delightful Things filled with ceramics, pillows, candles and other goodies, Finishing Touch has a great collection of upscale home goods and gifts, Urban Basics and eclectic art supply/antique mall, Main Street Station vintage goods with a Scandinavian influence, Posh & Tattered curated vintage, Rusty Glamour home goods and gifts, Nest Vintage & Home Decor, and Pacificly You – a lifestyle and home goods shop. Free on-street parking, and all are within walking distance of each other.
Camas
Downtown Camas has the ultimate small town downtown core with a tree-lined main street and a wide variety of independent stores to visit. The downtown also has its original movie theater still going strong. The downtown area is thriving and enjoying many new restaurants and shops. Here you’ll find the Camas Antique Mall filled with a good mix of antiques, handmade, gifts, and women’s clothing. On the same street you’ll find Arktana Women’s Clothing, an upscale quality clothing shop, Navidi’s Oil & Vinegars a food store to taste the flavored balsamics and olive oils as well as find artisan pastas and gifts, and fine clothing and accessories at Lily Atelier.Stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants including Acorn and the Oak, a combination florist and lunch boutique, an afternoon treat at Cake Happy Sweet Shop, or lunch at Nuestra Mesa a stylish Mexican restaurant. These are just a few of the stores and restaurants that make Camas downtown so special.
Downtown Vancouver
Vancouver has a large and diverse collection of shops and businesses worth seeking out. As you wander the streets, you’ll find pockets of treasures spread throughout, but include three main areas:
Lower Main Street area: Birdhouse Books is a new book shop, Nonavo Pizza if you crave a quick lunch, or lunch at Amaro’s Table is elegant and beautiful. And don’t forget all the wonderful wine tasting rooms along the waterfront! Read Our List.
Mid Main Street: Urban Barnhouse is right next door to The French Door Home & Garden, both fun shops for home decor and gifts at Main and Mill Plain, Kindred Homestead Supply offers unique and sustainable products, Not Too Shabby offers a great collection of gifts, jewelry, lotions, cards, and stationery. Take a break and rejuvenate at Sugar & Salt Bakery and Eatery on McLoughlin Blvd.
Upper Main Street offers great restaurants such as Bleu Door Bakery, shopping at Old Glory Antique Mall, Wild Fern boutique clothing, and lunch at La Bottega Italian Cafe is always a treat.
