7 Perks To Living In Or Near Downtown Kamloops, British Columbia

British Columbia is a province that is very much known for its hospitality and inclusion of locals, tourists, and other passers-by who are keen to get a sense of culture. Specifically, the city of Kamloops in BC is popular for how attractive it is due to its food and drink, performing arts, off-trail biking, other sports, and recreational parks – All the finest perks of any city in British Columbia.

Even on a more competitive scale, Kamloops is known as the ‘Tournament Capital’ of Canada, having hosted many major-scale events over the years such as the 1993 Canada Summer Games, the 2006 and 2018 BC Winter Games, and the 2014 editions of the Four Nations Ice Hockey cup.

Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at what exactly the perks and pull factors of Kamloops are – Specifically, 7 perks to living in or near downtown Kamloops.

1. Fashion Stores, Boutiques, etc.

Looking to get a little fancy? Downtown Kamloops is home to a vast number of clothes, shoes, jewelry, and other types of fashion stores. Even if you’d lived in the city all your life, the chances are still very high that there’d be at least a dozen undiscovered gems left for you to find.

Kennell’s Shoes is a family-run business that offers almost every style of footwear under the sun, ranging from women’s heels to men’s steel-toe boots. Or if you’re looking for premium comfort for your feet, the Big Boot Inn offers comfortable leather shoes for your feet to be encompassed in.

Perhaps you want to dress with more vintage and ‘retro’ look, in which case, Jardine’s Domaine has you covered with an extensive array of elegant and well-preserved clothing from a bygone fashion era. For those looking to impress at job interviews or just their next big business meeting, McAllister & Howard Clothiers offer an extensive range of specially tailored suits for you.

Finally, for that last little flourish on your attire, you can check out Ms. Whimsy’s Gift Emporium which offers a generous range of brooches – Hand-made Canadian jewelry, specialized self-care/hygiene products, and scarves and knitted apparel are just the icing on the cake of this fantastic spot.

2. Music And Memorabilia

Even if clothing and fashion are put to one side, downtown Kamloops still hosts a great many other undiscovered gems in the way of shopping.

For instance, those who yearn for their younger years may find themselves in need of vinyl records, CDs, mixtapes, or even cassettes in order to access the vibes classic music once gave them. Barnacle Records is a well-stocked record store that sells both new and second-hand vinyl discs – As such, if you’re looking to buy an old record from a much-loved and missed era, then Barnacle Records may just have the key you need to feel yourself in the past again.

From a similar era, you likely had your favorite toys as well. Maybe you secretly miss having those little action figures on your shelf, or maybe you want your kids to experience the same joy from toys that they once brought to you – Primarily crafting their own toys, Tumbleweed Toys may have just the action figure that appeals to your child’s need and will, in turn, become memorabilia for them one day in future.

3. Aberdeen Mall

Bringing the previous two perks together and adding even more, Aberdeen Mall is a great pride and joy of downtown Kamloops. Here you’ll find larger retailers such as Navy and Sephora, but also a great many locally owned and Canada-exclusive businesses such as Dolson’s and Bigfoot Trading Company. All your shopping needs are brought together here under one roof.

There are over 70 stores and services here including food outlets and restaurants. Before you go, however, those living locally may want to consider signing up for Aberdeen Mall’s e-mails on the company’s website, as this may enable them to receive certain discounts at select stores. It may also be worth considering registering for a ‘Luv’n The Loops’ digital passport, which we’ll talk more about in just a second…

4. ‘Luv’n The Loops’ Digital Passport

Residents of Kamloops are eligible for a digital passport that allows them to win seasonal prizes and opt-in for certain discounts.

Here’s how it works: Say, for example, you scanned your digital passport after making a purchase at a store in Aberdeen Mall. That purchase allows you to collect and redeem points that can be put towards future purchases. Each time points are used, your chances of winning the seasonal ‘Luv’n The Loops’ grand prize increase!

5. Restaurants And Dining

The hustle and bustle of downtown Kamloops are most prominent on Victoria Street. You may be now wondering why exactly that is, and the answer is simple: The fine and prestigious restaurants propped up along the street.

With a menu that changes seasonally, and an early 1900s building jazzed up with Canadian décor, Brownstone Restaurant offers quality services for affordable prices. Hefty portions of cheesecake for dessert, tender cuts of lamb for the main, exotic cherry drinks to wash it all down with – It's service with a smile for both the customer and the waiter here.

If it’s earlier in the day and you’re just looking for something light, Victoria Street accommodates that as well! Sandwiches, toast, wraps, coffee, and orange juice are the kind of light cuisine you can expect to find at Hello Toast, and all without burning a hole in your pocket either – A half-benny costs no more than $14.

6. Biking Trails

Grab the family, grab the bikes, and go outdoors! Although not quite in downtown Kamloops, many of the city’s biking trails can be accessed from the city center and also provide a good reference point if traveling in the dark due to all the bright lights.

Exploring along Paul Lake, Monte Creek, or Pineview will give you a concrete example of just how beautiful Kamloops really is. You’ll likely see downtown from some of the higher points of the biking trails, and this in itself is one of the greater perks of living near to it.

Furthermore, as of 2021, Kamloops is now becoming an increasingly popular attraction for both tourists and residents moving into British Columbia, with the city’s population increasing by 10,000 between 2016 and 2019 – The views of downtown, from a biking trail at night-time, make it clear just exactly why so many are flocking to this beautiful corner of the world.

7. The Seasons

Now, this final perk is technically more of a feature as opposed to a physical ‘thing’. However, if you’ve been researching Kamloops for any amount of time, you’ll likely have seen this coming on our list.

Kamloops is widely regarded as being a viable vacation and residential spot due to how habitable its season can be. Each summer in Kamloops is hot and dry, and the days last longer. Rainfall during the summer in this city is often at a low, but not low enough to cause drought or any concern at all.

On the contrary, winters in Kamloops are nothing like the horrible snowy, cold, and dark ones that are often present in other parts of the country, for example. Instead, winter days are relatively bright, and although nowhere near as hot and sunny as the summers, the temperature often remains mild and bearable enough to perform outdoor activities still.

Overall…

If you're currently living in or near downtown Kamloops, British Columbia, or are entertaining the idea, and don’t know what to do with your free time, take a look at this list of seven perks that come along with it. You can enjoy everything from restaurants and dining to biking trails to the seasons here!

Kevin Scharfenberg takes pride in guiding you through the buying or selling process, making himself available is a top priority. If you are looking for a Realtor® that will ensure you receive the best possible experience and that always puts your needs first, then Kevin Scharfenberg is the Real Estate Professional for you!