Need something to do this weekend? Here are five offbeat spots where you can get geared up for school.

The Regional Assembly of Text, 3934 Main Street

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who scrawl their notes on scraps of 12-millimetre lined, loose-leaf paper, and those who earnestly record their musings in $15-for-a-set-of-three metallic foil-stamped notebooks decorated with abstract illustrations, whimsical florals, or geometric graphics. The Regional Assembly of Text was established with the latter group in mind but it’s hard not to fall for the Riley Park shop—with its old-school typewriters and wall of vintage filing cabinets—no matter what camp you’re in. The brainchild of two Emily Carr University of Art + Design alumni, the store is known for its quirky, printed-in-house greeting cards, though it’s a must-visit for stationery-obsessed Vancouverites looking to revamp desktops and workspaces, too. Among the goods are popsicle-shaped erasers, rose-gold paperclips, rolls of patterned washi tape, and writing utensils so offbeat they’ll have you contemplating ditching your keyboard for good. Feeling the nostalgia? Drop into the Regional Assembly during its monthly letter-writing club, where you can use one of the shop’s typewriters to craft a letter to a loved one for free.

Book Warehouse, 632 West Broadway and 4118 Main Street

You've paid for tuition and now your bank account is about to take another serious hit: textbooks. With some courses requiring texts that will set you back almost an entire month's rent, it's probably a good idea to steer clear of your institution's bookstore and search elsewhere, if you plan on having any sort of beer budget for the season. With two locations—the longstanding Broadway gem and another store on Main Street—Book Warehouse offers up a healthy supply of everything from university and college textbooks to classic literature, contemporary novels, and more. While the shop is lauded for its mind-blowing selection and reasonable prices, the best thing about Book Warehouse is its incredibly knowledgeable staff. Can't find what you're looking for? They're more than happy to order it in for you. If you've got time to browse, cozy up in one of the store's wooden chairs for a read.

Fjällräven, 147 West Broadway and 1976 West 4th Avenue

The best part of back-to-school shopping? The new threads you can splurge on—nay, invest in—with zero guilt. And if there’s one accessory that reigns supreme during the countdown to the first day, it’s the ever-functional backpack. But you don’t have to be hitting the books to embrace the bag: brands like Fjällräven have helped make the knapsack surprisingly hip again, especially with cyclists who tout the company’s stylish Kånken for its extra-long adjustable straps. But the Swedish-born label also produces technical packs made for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities that West Coasters are expected to partake in on a regular basis. Waterproof parkas, organic-cotton Ts, and weather-resistant trousers for mom, dad, and tots are part of the stock, too, plus a special-edition, monochromatic Re-Kånken bag made from recycled water bottles. 

Vancouver Pen Shop, 512 West Hastings Street

If you, like us, can’t take notes on your laptop without procrastinating on Facebook for the entire class, it’s probably time to invest in a pen. And where better to cure your attention deficit than the Vancouver Pen Shop? With prices ranging from $2.79 for a stick of plastic with ink in it to $3,000 for a high-end, solid-gold-nibbed fountain pen, there’s something for everyone—whether you’re a student too poor to pay cover at UBC’s Pit Pub or the asshole who owns the Ferrari that’s always parked next to res. Peddling pens for 30 years, the Vancouver Pen Shop regularly serves customers from tiny children to politicians, counting ex-premier Gordon Campbell as a major patron and finding a niche selling $20 to $30 fountain pens to inquisitive high-school students. A distributor for big names like Parker, Scheaffer, Cross, and Montblanc, the friendly staff are delighted to spend their time informing customers about the history of iconic brands, and helping them choose the pen that’s for them. Because having a good writing implement definitely means top marks at the end of the semester—amirite? 

Daiso, Aberdeen Centre, 1080–4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond

Besides being a one-stop shop for household supplies and personal care and novelty items, this Japanese mega-discount store offers everything you need to prep the kids for back to school. As soon as you walk into the two-level shop, you’ll notice that most of its items (it carries over 50,000 types of products) are sold for two dollars—bargain, much? From writing utensils and pencil pouches to stationery and binders to bags, totes, socks, and scarves, Daiso has you covered. The only problem you’ll have is helping the children decide which colour to get: pale pink or ocean blue? While you’re in back-to-school-shopping mode, you might as well pick up some Japanese snacks in Daiso’s intriguing food section for the kids’ recess and lunch breaks. It will seem as if you brought your family to an exotic excursion in Asia, when really, you just took a short drive to Richmond.