Comments on: Vancouver’s Salmagundi West

By: charles van sandwyk

charles van sandwyk — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 16:30:38 +0000

i came of age at salmagundi, the original proprietress became one of my greatest friends in life. We were all so distressed when she became ill and passed away. I worked and exhibited my paintings and little gnomes at Salmagundi from 1982 onwards. Now I’ve opened my own little gallery round the corner from Salmagundi and everything I do is in her memory.

By: Cathy Barzo

Cathy Barzo — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 03:19:05 +0000

This store is magical and it was always a delight to visit. I tried to bring all my out-of-town visitors to the store. I’ve never been in another store that had as much stuff per square inch. It’s a small store but has so much to see. I no longer live in Vancouver, but if I go back I’ll be sure to visit. So glad to know that the store lives on in the new owner.

By: Shelley Kean

Shelley Kean — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 23:32:42 +0000

Oh, so sad to hear about Lynn’s passing. We had many a discussion about all things tarot and astrological over the years. I always came away from the store with a delightful treasure. I’m happy to hear that so many of the traditions continue. I will visit the tiny drawers next time I’m in town. Thanks for this post, Eve.

By: Loretta Houben

Loretta Houben — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 16:57:36 +0000

I loved this post. I’ve been to the store many times, and purchased a few dolls and doll furniture. I love miniatures. The store has quite a unique feel to it, although I’ve never seen any ghosts. It took me ages to get over the “creepy” feeling downstairs. There’s one spot in the floor down there where you nearly sink through. Ack! I hope Anne stays there for a long time.

By: James

James — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 07:21:12 +0000

The girl who wanted to be immortalized! –still gave me a creep upon recalling Anne’s stories. Great insights here Eve. I loved how rich and detailed your visit was. Have
had only little time at the Salmagundi West last year and will surely visit again.

By: Fred Weiss

Fred Weiss — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 19:56:28 +0000

I have in the past worked part-time at Salmagundi and have always been fascinated with the rich, cluttered feel to the shop. Anne Banner is doing a wonderful job keeping the same flavour to the store as its original owner, Lynn Brown (who sadly passed away a couple of years ago). At Salmagundi you will find anything from Steam Punk findings to Victorian Ephemera to an old metal trunk which can be converted into a coffee table. It really is a potpourri for the pure at heart who are always on the lookout for something unusual.

Everyone, including tourist traffic and Anne’s local clientele express warmly how they love to come into the shop. Most people who walk into Salmagundi gasp a sigh of relief and express their love for the eclectic eccentricity. And then there is Christmas! Salmagundi is especially busy during this peak season, where customers stand in line on the lower level to look in the Chinese Medicine Cabinet drawers, searching for terrific stocking stuffer’s.

One of my most memorable experiences working at the store was when a woman came in with her children and expressed how much she loved the store when her mother bought “her” in as a child. I knew then that this store had a remarkable history.

When Lynn Brown opened Salmagundi West in 1973 I believe she may have been one of the first retailers to kick-start Gastown as a cool place to shop and hang out. Even back then, this shop became the true anchor for the young-at-heart, moving from Hippie Ville to the Hipster culture we are familiar with today.

If you ever have some time on your hands, spending an hour or two at Salmagundi is always a delight!

Fred / oncetwicevintage on Etsy