Twin sisters Jen and Sarah Wetmore have banded together to open up a curiosity-filled treasure chest of sorts. Jinks Art Factory, located on Parkdale’s westernmost strip, is a little bit of everything. Up front, it’s a café complete with a vintage arcade game and seats overlooking Queen Street.
A retail space makes up the shop’s torso, with goods running the gamut from organic clothing to, well, organic lip balm. The walls serve as an art gallery, with Jen’s abstract paintings joined by work from other local artists. Tucked away in the back is a tattoo parlour where customers can get custom ink done ($80 an hour) while their companion browses. Prior to opening the shop, Jen ran a private tattoo studio out of her home for almost three years (she most enjoys working in black and shades of grey).
If shoppers aren’t quite ready to get an image of a sassy lady emblazoned on their bicep, there are plenty of non-permanent options to quench the shopping thirst. Illustrated cards from Creepy Christine possess a Tim Burton-esque attitude, and are a fun way to deliver atypical greetings to a friend ($5.00). We liked a graveyard version with little ghosts streaming skywards under a full moon. Other artsy finds include photographic prints from Shawn Hogan ($19.95).
Clothing picks include tees from the Quebecois line Tresnormale, which feature various silhouettes of the Toronto skyline ($26). Meanwhile, B.C. line Salts makes cozy organic sweatshirts with almond-shaped pocket details to keep you looking stylish. We liked the soft grey-green version ($88).
Two-finger rings from All Deck’d Out are crafted from bruised and battered skateboards ($28.80). We also love the bangles that come in both circles and squares ($26). Finally, keeping in line with their organic concept, the sisters pour lattes using Etobicoke’s Birds and Beans ($3.15 and up).
Jinks Art Factory, 1664 Queen St. W., 647-347-7779
