When Pigs Fly

When Pigs Fly is a store I always like to pop into a browse around if I’m on or near Whyte. When I was a kid my Orthodontist was nearby so we’d come here at least once a month. Since the Tin Box closed last year this is my go to eclectic store. There’s a bit of everything, some home décor, cooking stuff, toys, gifts. Lots of stuff I’d classify under the «country chic» style, which is cool if that’s your thing. Some of the stuff is pretty pricey, but other things aren’t too bad. The store can get a little crowded, especially if you’re there in the summer during Fringe like I was last time. Still the name is fun, the store is cute, and it’s always good to browse around and support local businesses.

Was on a quest for souvenirs when I came across this shop off Whyte Ave. The name itself sparked my curiosity and when I stepped inside, it was filled with odds and ends, obscure little gifts and a whole lot of Christmas cheer. I was currently on the hunt for an ornament for Jaime cause we collect those things when we travel to new places so I thought this would be a good start.
Unfortunately they didn’t have any that were Edmonton specific, but they did give me some great recommendations on where I might find one. They even showed me some of the other Canadian branded goods they carried in case there was something else I might want to take home. Nothing caught my eye, but I definitely appreciated the warm customer service. Nobody was pushy and they let all their customers gawk and handle the items on their own.
This would be a place I’d stop for a unique gift for someone if I didn’t know what to get. They have a little bit of everything from seasonal picks, home goods, gag type gifts and stuff to spruce up your house or workspace. A lot of the stuff seems to be geared to women, but I imagine that tends to be their main clientele anyways.
Worth a browse, it’s fun nonetheless.

You know those times when you know that you have to get a gift for someone but you have no clue what to get? So you put it off for as long as you can, and as the deadline approaches you start to panic because you still have no ideas and you just don’t want to submit to the gift card. When Pigs Fly is the perfect store for those times! The store is filled with cute, funny, unique, gimmicky items — perfect for the ever so stressful secret Santa gift exchange that always sneaks up on you so quickly. The only problem is that there are so many neat things that appeal to me that being in this store really tests my self control.
For mother’s day I wanted to put together a gift basket full of items with a calming, soothing theme. I found a bunch of really awesome things here (and from a few other stores down the Ave) and was able to completely personalize a basket for my kooky momma!
I find the prices to be higher here but I do appreciate that you can find unique items. You don’t find 80 bazillion of the same thing here like you do at the department/​chain stores. There are new and exciting items brought in regularly — but be advised — if you see something SUPER cute that you really like — don’t hesitate — GET IT! Cuz maybe the next time you’re there it will be gone and you will NEVER see it again! But then that brings me to the reason for only a 3 star rating. Sometimes I find something and it’s just sooooo awesome BUT I just cannot bring myself to spend that much money on it :(

I love stores that are filled with home décor, and I don’t mind the country feel that When Pigs Fly has, but I am so overwhelmed when I go into Pigs Fly that I can’t stay long enough to browse for anything.
This store is filled with many different country style knick knacks, they also have those angels that have become ever so popular. They also have jewelery, gifts and some gag gifts or humorous things.
This store is completely crowded, even when it is not filled with people (which is rare).
If you don’t mind tight spaces, go ahead and browse this store. You will be overwhelmed if you are searching for something in particular, but if you are just looking for fun, this store is worth one look.

I personally don’t like When Pigs Fly and the stores alike. There are too many seemingly useless products on the shelves. I am all up for an occasional decorative object or an unusual gift, but stores dedicated to selling a little bit of everything is something I try to avoid. This time of year, When Pigs Fly sells everything that has to do with Christmas in addition to their usual inventory which consists of jewelry, home fragrances, housewares and objects the purpose of which is unknown to me. It is easy to become dazed and confused at this store. You also have to be careful not to knock anything over as this store is stocked from top to bottom, is hard to move around in and always busy. For me, less is always more, and since When Pigs Fly store’s philosophy is completely opposite, I will refrain from shopping here.

When Pigs Fly is one of the stores on Whyte Ave that everyone knows — it’s a landmark of sorts. I have to be honest though, I wouldn’t shop there again. As just another store full of knickknacks that I don’t need, I found a couple of unique little signs that made me chuckle but that was about it. I will give them credit for being amply staffed though! On the Saturday that I went browsing, there were about six staff members in the store (and it’s not that big). Although there was a vast amount of staff available and standing around, no one greeted me upon entering the store and no one offered me help of any kind. I was disappointed. The floor in the store also drove me crazy — it creaked with every step and the amount of people walking around inside the store was just enough to make a continuous creaking noise, making my brain want to implode. Thankfully, I left before that happened. I’m happy to report that my brain is still in tact and was able to continue shopping for the remainder of the day. Hooray!

When Pigs Fly really stands out on Whyte Avenue. I think it has to do with the colourful awning that has such big letters announcing the store. Inside, is a plethora of gift ideas. It is sort of cramped, especially if it is busy, so you need to be careful when browsing the aisles.
The store carries gifts, toys, and novelties for different age groups. You can find stuff here for kids, co-​workers, family members, and even tantalize your lover with some of the adult goodies. Seasonal items also abound, particularly at Halloween and Christmas.
Some items are a bit more practical, like housewares, garden accessories, and cosmetic items. However, a lot of what is here would definitely fall into the «gag gift» category.

It’s been awhile since I came to this shop, because the last time I was here, I accidentally broke something and was so embarrassed and afraid I would break something else. But like any really good shop, you can’t stay away from When Pigs Fly for long. It eventually lulled me back.
So yes, they have a lot of breakable stuff, but it’s really cool breakable stuff. They’ve got some pretty nifty items for Halloween right now, like flashy witch earrings. There’s always lots of kitchen and garden accessories too. I saw one wall hanging that was called a weather-​watcher or something, and it was a long list of how to predict the weather; the funny part is, they had Canadian and Italian versions. For example, «Eef itsa raining, get out of de kitchen!»
I like the lotions and bubble bath items they have in stock as well. They smell so nice! I fell in love with the «apple love» scent in particular, as it’s sweet but not heavy. I also bought some early Christmas ornaments from their clearance sale from last year’s season. There’s always something I can find at this shop, even if I don’t intend to buy anything (which isn’t really a good thing, I guess).

I love the name of this shop — it speaks of imagination surpassing one’s wildest dreams. It’s a fun gift shop to browse in because there’s so much to see. The old, creaky floors have a nostalgic feel and the staff are cheery and helpful, while always at work unloading new stock or making the store look better. They have lots of great, original greeting cards, stuffed animals, jewelry, pamper products, baby stuff and seasonal items. Near Halloween or Christmas the spirit is alive in their front-​end displays. I find a lot of seasonal décor tacky, so it’s not really for me. I like going to the smelly stuff — the bath oils, salts, hand creams, etc. This is the shop I discovered Barefoot Venus in. I have since picked up several bottles of Georgia Peach, a massage oil to that’s to die for and made in Edmonton. When Pigs Fly also stocks Warm Buddies heating pads, Goat Mountain Soup, jewelry from the local designer Kaitrin Design, and WebKinz, the «interactive» stuffed animal kids use with the Internet! Are you kidding me?! Interacting with your stuffed toys used to mean talking to them! Anyway, you can get’em here.

When Pigs Fly is the place I usually go around Christmas, when I haven’t got the faintess idea of what to buy someone. This store has a lot of interesting items, but I would say that most of it would be more appealing towards women. Unfortunately, no matter how many times I come here, I never end up buying anything, because a lot of their items (although unique) are still stereotypical gift items; not to mention, I think this store is just a little too cutesy for me.
There’s a lot of cuddly, smelly, and quirky going on in this store. Most of what they carry are unique items you aren’t going to find anywhere else. You can feel confident buying someone a gift here and not giving them the same thing someone else got them. One year they had a lot of fake roosters – a little too real-​looking for my liking, but it might make a good quirky gift?
There’s a lot of stuffed animals here, and I know they have those really popular Webkinz. I’ve seen some really nice jewellery here, but it’s kind of expensive. There’s also a lot of bath items, like colourful, smelly soaps and things. Actually, I probably would buy some of these, if they were cheaper, since they are organic and natural.
Even though I don’t buy anything here, I still like looking around; not to mention, I love the old wooden floor that creaks!