Best of Both Worlds Imports & Design 2.7

What a long strange trip it’s been!

Fall, winter, spring of 1973/74 saw the first exploratory trip for unique products to bring back to the people of Victoria. It turned into a 24,000 mile road trip (in my Volkswagen Beetle) to Panama and back and resulted in making contacts along the way that led to the importing of hammocks and handbags from El Salvador.

In 1976 we formed “Best of Both Worlds Imports” in Victoria and hung our sign at the new shop in Market Square and began to sell wicker and rattan products from Cebu City – Philippines. Thirteen years later we were still in business with two downtown locations.

1990 the decision was made to switch to a wholesale only operation and Best of Both Worlds Imports began to import small gift wares from Asia, predominantly Thailand and to market these goods via gift shows into the retail world of western Canada.

When the opportunity presented itself in 2006 to expand the warehouse at 2713 Quadra Street to close to 7,000 square feet we decided to re enter the retail market and to continue with some gift wares but to swing the focus onto home furnishings . In a world of glass, steel and leather post modern furniture we saw the opportunity of serving a niche market with many one of a kind, solid wood character pieces.

This move back to retail opened up all kinds of possibilities that were unattainable to us in the wholesale market place. In a short period of time the Thai products were added to with goods from Viet Nam, China, India and even Egypt!

In the fall of 2016 Best of Both Worlds ventured to the deserts of India and discovered yet another exotic area of the world rich in quality handicrafts. Beautiful hardwood furniture and something new for us is floor coverings in the form of hand woven carpets!

We have supplied a host of restaurant, nightclub and hotel interiors and work successfully with many of Victoria’s finest interior designers.

We love working with the public and although we are not in the city core we have many regular customers and are constantly “being discovered” by new shoppers. Onsite parking is available and we are open 7 days a week.

We encourage you to come and see us and take in the sights and smells of the Far East. Let us help you find that hard to find “signature” piece you have been looking for.

Come in and browse, check out our site, or email us for more information.