Greater Vancouver, BC Tourism Guide with hotels, events and attraction in the historic city of New Westminster.
Stroll through Sapperton
The name of this neighbourhood began with the Royal Engineers (nicknamed Sappers) who camped nearby while helping build the community you see today. The Sapperton community grew due to Royal Columbian Hospital, sawmill, brewery and distillery employees moving closer to their place of work. Cafés, shops, variety stores, a bowling alley and theatre were built to give Sapperton residents all they needed in years past.
Today, New Westminster’s Sapperton neighbourhood has become a shopping hot spot for gifts, interiors and kids’ essentials. It has the feel of Vancouver’s Main Street district – a mix of local designers, modern home essentials complete with an organic market, fabulous bakery, gelato shop and variety of eateries. Umai Sushi (450 East Columbia) and Gino’s (431 East Columbia) are not to be missed.
Local business owners are beginning to call Sapperton “Kid Row,” due to a number of kids shops moving in, but it is much, much more.
New West favourite, Cadeaux (467 East Columbia,) boasts more than 900 square feet of clothing, jewelry, cards, gifts of every kind, as well as a sizeable kids’ toy section tucked away in the shop’s back corner. It’s one of the city’s best stops for gifts and ‘home embellishments’ where you’re sure to find something you, or someone you love, can’t live without.
Just down the block you will discover Dimpleskins natural baby essentials (451 East Columbia.) As a mother of two, owner Jen Casey began Dimpleskins in her home kitchen. Today the former make-up artist’s 100% natural baby products have a cult-following. The shop is conveniently located mere blocks from Royal Columbian Hospital, so pick up some “Boo Boo Goo” or “Bum Bum Balm” next time you’re visiting a new baby and mom!
Across the street there’s more for the kids at Pedagogy Toys (424 East Columbia.) The owners, a husband-wife team, specialize in toys for children ages 0-12 – favouring brands from Holland, Germany and France. Pedagogy’s unique toys are handpicked by a team of experts: the Smecher’s three children – all under age 5.
If you’ve brought your children along, pop into Sapperton Park for a break, it’s just across the street from Knox Presbyterian Church located at Sherbrooke and Columbia.
No trip to Sapperton is complete without visiting the historic Caps’ Bicycle Shop (434A East Columbia.) Many long-time residents of New Westminster can tell you about their first bike purchased from this very store.
Just off the beaten path: Just a few blocks up from Sapperton, in the Victory Heights neighborhood, you will discover the Van Dop Gallery (421 Richmond Street) – a home-based gallery with world appeal. Owner Trudy Van Dop’s unique gallery represents over 100 BC artists in every media. Browse the two floors filled with gorgeous one-of-a-kind works of art and the art-filled gardens surrounding her home. Call ahead so she can warm you up a cup of tea: 604.521.7887.
Complete your visit to Sapperton with a scoop or two from Temptation Gelati (450 East Columbia), a vanilla latte from Starbucks (411 East Columbia) or pop across the street to bring home some fresh baked bread and pastries from the delectable Bella Cakes and Pastries (459 East Columbia.).
Sapperton is easily accessible by two local skytrain stations: Sapperton and Braid. The area is also home to one of the strongest soccer teams in Greater Vancouver, the Sapperton Rovers.
