Best Shop/Stores in Toronto
Antiques
Green's Antiques has been a fixture in Cabbagetown for 35 years. The perennially-packed store features a little of everything, but deals mostly in furniture (including sideboards, hutches, desks and dining sets), as well as Persian rugs and lighting fixtures. If you're not looking for any of those, don't fret - they get new finds in almost daily. Recent standout finds include an authentic Louis XIV desk for $2,200.
Green's Antiques
529 Parliament StreetGreen's Antiques has been a fixture in Cabbagetown for 35 years. The perennially-packed store features a little of everything, but deals mostly in furniture (including sideboards, hutches, desks and dining sets), as well as Persian rugs and lighting fixtures. If you're not looking for any of those, don't fret - they get new finds in almost daily. Recent standout finds include an authentic Louis XIV desk for $2,200.
The Art of Demolition in The Junction sells antiques, reclaimed items, and all things repurposed. Whether you just want to drop a couple bucks on an interesting knick-knack, or find vintage home accessories to spruce up your place, this shop has lots to choose from.
The Art of Demolition
390 Keele StThe Art of Demolition in The Junction sells antiques, reclaimed items, and all things repurposed. Whether you just want to drop a couple bucks on an interesting knick-knack, or find vintage home accessories to spruce up your place, this shop has lots to choose from.
Ransack the Universe is Bloordale's one-stop shop for vintage goods, records, local crafts, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind decor. Originally located in the basement of 1207 Bloor Street West, the store recently expanded to the main floor when the previous occupant, 69 Vintage Collective , moved out. The eye-catching display of vintage accessories, records, and knickknacks in the window has let people in on the secret of Ransack's treasures, greatly increasing the number of visitors since January.
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Ransack The Universe
1207 Bloor St WRansack the Universe is Bloordale's one-stop shop for vintage goods, records, local crafts, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind decor. Originally located in the basement of 1207 Bloor Street West, the store recently expanded to the main floor when the previous occupant, 69 Vintage Collective , moved out. The eye-catching display of vintage accessories, records, and knickknacks in the window has let people in on the secret of Ransack's treasures, greatly increasing the number of visitors since January.
Art Supplies
Curry's Artists' Materials has taken over the former Woolfitt's space across the street from the Drake Hotel. The massive store stocks all manners of art supplies including canvas, pastels, paints, frames, drawing materials and more.
Curry's Artists' Materials - Queen West
1153 Queen St WCurry's Artists' Materials has taken over the former Woolfitt's space across the street from the Drake Hotel. The massive store stocks all manners of art supplies including canvas, pastels, paints, frames, drawing materials and more.
The long, narrow store, which has been around forever, oozes character with its worn, hardwood floors and its cluttered walls. At the back of the store is the raison d'etre for coming here - huge slabs and rolls of primed and un-primed canvas. They've got primed and ready sizes here that simply won't be found elsewhere in the city. In fact, some stores in Toronto actually buy their canvas directly from Gwartzman's.
Gwartzman's Art Supplies
448 Spadina Ave.The long, narrow store, which has been around forever, oozes character with its worn, hardwood floors and its cluttered walls. At the back of the store is the raison d'etre for coming here - huge slabs and rolls of primed and un-primed canvas. They've got primed and ready sizes here that simply won't be found elsewhere in the city. In fact, some stores in Toronto actually buy their canvas directly from Gwartzman's.
ARTiculations is an art supply store that's more than an art supply store. It has its own semi-enclosed gallery space, a back room studio, and a roster full of workshops and drop-in programs for kids and adults. In these ways--plus the fact that owners Heather Phillips and Miki Rubin are Juction-devoted through and through--ARTiculations hopes to distinguish itself from the new Above Ground shop opening soon just down the road.
ARTiculations
2802 Dundas St WARTiculations is an art supply store that's more than an art supply store. It has its own semi-enclosed gallery space, a back room studio, and a roster full of workshops and drop-in programs for kids and adults. In these ways--plus the fact that owners Heather Phillips and Miki Rubin are Juction-devoted through and through--ARTiculations hopes to distinguish itself from the new Above Ground shop opening soon just down the road.
DeSerres is a new name on the Toronto art supply store scene even though the company has been around since 1908. In its former incarnation, it was known as Loomis & Toles but last year, as part of the company's 100th anniversary, they re-branded in an effort to unify the name through their entire chain of stores, four of which are in Toronto and a large number in the Montreal area and Quebec.
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DeSerres
124 Eglinton Ave WDeSerres is a new name on the Toronto art supply store scene even though the company has been around since 1908. In its former incarnation, it was known as Loomis & Toles but last year, as part of the company's 100th anniversary, they re-branded in an effort to unify the name through their entire chain of stores, four of which are in Toronto and a large number in the Montreal area and Quebec.
Baby Supplies
Early Bird & Worm bills itself as a kid's concept shop on Roncesvalles. Selling fashion forward outfits with bold prints and style as well as other accessories, this place will have your baby looking anything but bland.
Early Bird & Worm
149 Roncesvalles AveEarly Bird & Worm bills itself as a kid's concept shop on Roncesvalles. Selling fashion forward outfits with bold prints and style as well as other accessories, this place will have your baby looking anything but bland.
West Coast Kids established a foothold out west (where else?) before expanding to Toronto with a shop on Bayview Ave. that used to be Moms and More, stocking it with the safest and most stylish baby gear, like car seats from Canadian maker Clek.
West Coast Kids
1646 Bayview AvenueWest Coast Kids established a foothold out west (where else?) before expanding to Toronto with a shop on Bayview Ave. that used to be Moms and More, stocking it with the safest and most stylish baby gear, like car seats from Canadian maker Clek.
Ella + Elliot stocks imaginative, stylish nursery furniture with European flair. The store is curated almost like a gallery and is the exclusive Canadian seller for a number of different lines. The cribs and changing tables are sleek and sophisticated and not at all babyish.
ella+elliot
188 Strachan AveElla + Elliot stocks imaginative, stylish nursery furniture with European flair. The store is curated almost like a gallery and is the exclusive Canadian seller for a number of different lines. The cribs and changing tables are sleek and sophisticated and not at all babyish.
BB Buggy has moved from its former home on Davenport to a much larger space at the corner of Yonge St. and Yorkville Ave. Inside is all the latest trendy and organic baby and toddler gear including strollers, toys, clothes and more.
BB Buggy
10 Yorkville AveBB Buggy has moved from its former home on Davenport to a much larger space at the corner of Yonge St. and Yorkville Ave. Inside is all the latest trendy and organic baby and toddler gear including strollers, toys, clothes and more.
Bike
Sweet Pete's main bike shop occupies a huge 4000 square foot space on Bloor in between Dufferin and Lansdowne. A former Loblaws grocery store many moons ago, its current tenant has been servicing the needs of the "everyman" cyclist for over 15 years. This isn't the place to pick up a Cervelo R5, but if you're a casual urban rider â be it as a commuter or a hobbyist â you're likely to find what you need here.
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Sweet Pete's Bike Shop
1204 Bloor St WSweet Pete's main bike shop occupies a huge 4000 square foot space on Bloor in between Dufferin and Lansdowne. A former Loblaws grocery store many moons ago, its current tenant has been servicing the needs of the "everyman" cyclist for over 15 years. This isn't the place to pick up a Cervelo R5, but if you're a casual urban rider â be it as a commuter or a hobbyist â you're likely to find what you need here.
Bikes on Wheels is a good option when you're looking for a slick urban commuter bike or accessories for tooling around town. Operating out of Kensington Market for over 20 years, the store added a location at 779 Queen St. West earlier this year. There you'll find the same relaxed atmosphere and brands as at the original. In addition to urban and utility bikes, there's also a selection of MTB and road bikes on offer.
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Bikes on Wheels
309 Augusta AveBikes on Wheels is a good option when you're looking for a slick urban commuter bike or accessories for tooling around town. Operating out of Kensington Market for over 20 years, the store added a location at 779 Queen St. West earlier this year. There you'll find the same relaxed atmosphere and brands as at the original. In addition to urban and utility bikes, there's also a selection of MTB and road bikes on offer.
Cycle Solutions is an all-around bike store. They have a particularly wide selection of mountain bikes, but their offerings run the full gamut - from comfort to BMX to road. The store strives to excel in the customer service department, and they must be doing something right, because their two locations (615 Kingston Rd., 444 Parliament St.) are thriving. In winter, Cycle Solutions doubles as a ski shop.
Cycle Solutions
615 Kingston RdCycle Solutions is an all-around bike store. They have a particularly wide selection of mountain bikes, but their offerings run the full gamut - from comfort to BMX to road. The store strives to excel in the customer service department, and they must be doing something right, because their two locations (615 Kingston Rd., 444 Parliament St.) are thriving. In winter, Cycle Solutions doubles as a ski shop.
Urbane Cyclist, one of Toronto's most established bike shops, can be found on one of the busiest commuter stretches in the city. Previously located north of Queen on John , the shop now calls College and Spadina home, specifically 280 College St.
Urbane Cyclist
280 College StUrbane Cyclist, one of Toronto's most established bike shops, can be found on one of the busiest commuter stretches in the city. Previously located north of Queen on John , the shop now calls College and Spadina home, specifically 280 College St.
Oxygen Bike Co is located on the Lake Shore Blvd. in Etobicoke. They carry Trek, Norco, Rocky Mountain and Cannondale bicycles. Oxygen Bike also offers a spinning studio with regular classes for those looking for a workout.
Oxygen Bike Company
3267 Lake Shore Blvd WOxygen Bike Co is located on the Lake Shore Blvd. in Etobicoke. They carry Trek, Norco, Rocky Mountain and Cannondale bicycles. Oxygen Bike also offers a spinning studio with regular classes for those looking for a workout.
Book
BMV Books is one of Toronto's most loved independent bookstore chains. The store has locations in The Annex, Yonge-Dundas, and near Yonge and Eglinton.
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BMV
Spadina AvenueBMV Books is one of Toronto's most loved independent bookstore chains. The store has locations in The Annex, Yonge-Dundas, and near Yonge and Eglinton.
Glad Day Bookshop is one of the oldest if not the oldest queer bookstore in Canada. You won’t find just typical gay lit within the stacks: queer poetry, plays, theory books, sci-fi, horror, colouring books and much more can be found here.
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Glad Day Bookshop
499 Church StGlad Day Bookshop is one of the oldest if not the oldest queer bookstore in Canada. You won’t find just typical gay lit within the stacks: queer poetry, plays, theory books, sci-fi, horror, colouring books and much more can be found here.
Ben McNally Books originally opened in September 2007. Many Toronto bibliophiles know Ben from his long time as the manager of Nicholas Hoare Books .
McNally's doesn't really specialize in any one genre, but if there's a focus on a particular type of book, it'd be on what Ben jokingly calls "the good ones," those nice looking hardcovers that people tend to want to keep around for the long haul, whether it be history, biography or fiction (genres in which he's well stocked).
Ben McNally Books
108 Queen Street EastBen McNally Books originally opened in September 2007. Many Toronto bibliophiles know Ben from his long time as the manager of Nicholas Hoare Books .
McNally's doesn't really specialize in any one genre, but if there's a focus on a particular type of book, it'd be on what Ben jokingly calls "the good ones," those nice looking hardcovers that people tend to want to keep around for the long haul, whether it be history, biography or fiction (genres in which he's well stocked).
Another Story Bookshop has a comprehensive collection of books for children and adults with an emphasis on social justice, equity and diversity.
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Another Story Bookshop
315 Roncesvalles AveAnother Story Bookshop has a comprehensive collection of books for children and adults with an emphasis on social justice, equity and diversity.
Bakka Phoenix Books manager Chris Szego says "science fiction is not just a genre, it's a community." With their new space on Harbord just west of Spadina (which was previously occupied by Atticus Books) just across from the University of Toronto, Bakka Phoenix looks forward to providing a bigger and better home to that community.
Bakka-Phoenix Books
84 Harbord StBakka Phoenix Books manager Chris Szego says "science fiction is not just a genre, it's a community." With their new space on Harbord just west of Spadina (which was previously occupied by Atticus Books) just across from the University of Toronto, Bakka Phoenix looks forward to providing a bigger and better home to that community.
When I go to bookstores, the experience is similar to the one I have at art galleries: a sort of meandering walkabout with plenty of time for contemplation. And hey, as expensive as some books are, they're cheaper than most pieces of art. Speaking of which, Swipe in particular seems a good example of this mix between gallery and store. Over the eight years it's been open, Swipe has gradually carried more and more non-book items in the form of exemplary pieces of design that range from the idiosyncratic and cheap (think egg-timer), to the sophisticated and pricey (think stainless steel juicer).
Swipe Design books + objects
401 Richmond St WWhen I go to bookstores, the experience is similar to the one I have at art galleries: a sort of meandering walkabout with plenty of time for contemplation. And hey, as expensive as some books are, they're cheaper than most pieces of art. Speaking of which, Swipe in particular seems a good example of this mix between gallery and store. Over the eight years it's been open, Swipe has gradually carried more and more non-book items in the form of exemplary pieces of design that range from the idiosyncratic and cheap (think egg-timer), to the sophisticated and pricey (think stainless steel juicer).
Bridal
Sash and Bustle is a dreamy bridal shop selling modern gowns for brides and their maids.
Eschewing traditional, pouffy ball gowns for sleeker, contemporary looks, this pretty store is overflowing with chiffon and sheath dresses in light ivory—essentially what Pinterest wedding dreams are made of.
Sash & Bustle Bridal Boutique
111 Berkeley StreetSash and Bustle is a dreamy bridal shop selling modern gowns for brides and their maids.
Eschewing traditional, pouffy ball gowns for sleeker, contemporary looks, this pretty store is overflowing with chiffon and sheath dresses in light ivory—essentially what Pinterest wedding dreams are made of.
Lea-Ann Belter Bridal has moved its flagship store to the curious corner of Dundas and Broadview. I say "curious" because this the intersection is largely neglected - hardly abuzz with blushing brides or fervent shoppers. Indeed, the area is somewhat unremarkable; a bit too south to really be part of East Chinatown , slightly north of some of the Riversid e charm, and too far west to be considered part of Leslieville . But hey, it's where the streetcars turn. That's something, at least.
Lea-Ann Belter Bridal
238 Broadview AvenueLea-Ann Belter Bridal has moved its flagship store to the curious corner of Dundas and Broadview. I say "curious" because this the intersection is largely neglected - hardly abuzz with blushing brides or fervent shoppers. Indeed, the area is somewhat unremarkable; a bit too south to really be part of East Chinatown , slightly north of some of the Riversid e charm, and too far west to be considered part of Leslieville . But hey, it's where the streetcars turn. That's something, at least.
Blu Ivory is a bridal shop in the Corso Italia stretch of St. Clair West, where many similar stores reside. They do evening wear and bridesmaids as well as bridal.
Blü Ivory Bridal
1282 Saint Clair Avenue WestBlu Ivory is a bridal shop in the Corso Italia stretch of St. Clair West, where many similar stores reside. They do evening wear and bridesmaids as well as bridal.
Camera
Henry's remains the go-to camera and video shop for many Torontonians. The huge space at Church and Queen covers the complete range of photo equipment from point and shoots all the way up to $40K Hasselblads with 60 megapixel digital backs. Add to the mix an impressive video department and a well stocked used department (much of which is posted to Ebay), and you've got one of Toronto's most complete photography destinations.
Henry's
185 Church StHenry's remains the go-to camera and video shop for many Torontonians. The huge space at Church and Queen covers the complete range of photo equipment from point and shoots all the way up to $40K Hasselblads with 60 megapixel digital backs. Add to the mix an impressive video department and a well stocked used department (much of which is posted to Ebay), and you've got one of Toronto's most complete photography destinations.
Vistek, located further east along Queen Street, rivals Henry's for the comprehensiveness of its product lines and tends to be ever so slightly cheaper overall. Whether it be Nikon, Canon, or high-end medium format stuff like Hasselblad, it's all here. Also noteworthy is the store's excellent selection of rental items and Mac products. Bonus points for a solid service department as well.
Vistek Toronto
496 Queen Street EastVistek, located further east along Queen Street, rivals Henry's for the comprehensiveness of its product lines and tends to be ever so slightly cheaper overall. Whether it be Nikon, Canon, or high-end medium format stuff like Hasselblad, it's all here. Also noteworthy is the store's excellent selection of rental items and Mac products. Bonus points for a solid service department as well.
The DV shop, as its names implies, originally specialized in digital video related sales, but has now become a full-scale photography retailer carrying a range of products from from Canon, Nikon and Sony. A change of location to Runnymede and Dundas at the beginning of the year has increased the size of the showroom, but the store retains a laid-back vibe and knowledgeable staff.
DV Shop
3422 Dundas St WThe DV shop, as its names implies, originally specialized in digital video related sales, but has now become a full-scale photography retailer carrying a range of products from from Canon, Nikon and Sony. A change of location to Runnymede and Dundas at the beginning of the year has increased the size of the showroom, but the store retains a laid-back vibe and knowledgeable staff.