In the second half of our guide to Parkdale’s most interesting shops, we give you the best places to find roller derby equipment, high-end fly swatters and a gizmo to keep your mustache out of your tea. Really, is there anything that can’t be found on a jaunt through Parkdale?
Studio Brillantine
Filled with quirky pieces for the design lover who has more than a bit of whimsy in him, Ferdinand Suzara’s playful shop is a treasure chest. Previously located next to The Drake, Suzara moved his store further west to snap up a building for sale just in the nick of time. And he has corralled quite the array of pieces, many of which have won top design awards or came from museums. A Philippe Starck/Alessi fly swatter elevates this basic tool to a work of art ($19), while elsewhere in the store a severed porcelain foot coolly presents a clutch of flowers ($38). Suzara has a soft spot for ice cream: a blow-up cone greets customers up front ($80), an ice-cream sandwich pillow promises sweet dreams ($24) and a gizmo for stacking the stuff will make a sweat-free dessert ($21). Meanwhile, a jello mould in the shape of a balloon dog will restart the debate over who has the rights to the image — inflatables designer Jeff Koons or the humble circus clown ($18).
1518 Queen St. W., 416-536-6521
Conspiracy Culture
Question everything. Aiming to provide curious Torontonians with a means of answering questions about, well, everything, Patrick Whyte’s shop is dedicated to non-fiction material and attempts to satiate the city’s most inquiring minds. Books, magazines and DVDs are available on topics including 9/11, cryptozoology and mythical beasts, and the occult. Those serious about their alien encounter or end-of-the-world predictions can attend book signings or join discussion groups to further explore their subject. Whyte notes that, recently, people have been trying to make sense of the financial situation and says that The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin, which examines the banking system in America, has been a hugely popular pick. As for Toronto-based conspiracies, Whyte speaks of the Masonic symbolism found on buildings throughout the city. The Police Station on College St. is apparently rife with symbolism, with a statue of a young boy pulling a wagon holding an obelisk being one such example. Note, also, the store’s hours: it opens at either 11:11 a.m. or 12:12 p.m. and closes at 5:55 p.m. or 7:07 p.m. depending on the day of the week.
1696 Queen St. W., 416-916-1696
Arcadia Antiques
Owners Ron Goulet and Barbara Barrett have made the far end of Queen West their home for some years now; Barrett’s father sold antiques next door for 22 years, and the pair has been settled in for over a decade. Specializing in period antiques, most of their pieces have been picked from around Ontario. We liked a pine slant-top desk hailing from 1860 ($895) and a Vienna Regulator grandfather clock from 1890 ($895), both beautifully crafted pieces that have stood the test of time — and then some. Mustachioed gentlemen who enjoy a spot of afternoon tea will find a selection of Victorian and Edwardian mustache tea cups. Fit with a plateau, these cups prevent a carefully curlicued ’stache from being sullied by tea stains (from $25).
1702 Queen St. W., 416-534-0348
My Roll Life
A fairly recent addition to the ’hood, this shop devoted to roller skating culture is the work of Gwen “Goldie Lock ‘N’ Load” McDonald. An avid roller derby gal herself, McDonald is captain of the Rollergettes, a nod to the Suffragettes. My Roll Life sells only Canuck lines and goods include clothing, jewellery, protective gear and, of course, skates. McDonald hopes to introduce the sport to folks who are looking to inject a little spice into their lives (or just hope to be a badass like Juliette Lewis). Fun finds include Triple Eight helmets in a rainbow of colours ($40), leopard-print elbow pads ($52) and vegan-friendly Dominion skates handmade in Canada (from $150). Those looking for a Saturday activity can rent some gear and work their way around High Park or head to the nearby waterfront ($42/day).
1714 Queen St. W., 647-932-7655
Hideaway Antiques
Housed in what used to be the Parkdale Movie Theatre, Bill Jarman’s sprawling emporium shares a building with the Queen West Antique Centre. What’s unseen is the original 1920s ceiling, hidden behind regulatory panels since the theatre closed its doors in the ’70s. Jarman, who’s been in the biz for over 20 years, sources pieces from all over North America, heading down to the States at least once a year. Some exceptional finds included a series of gigantic circus banners, many of which have been rented out to movie sets and the like (from $3,000) and a number of Vespas from 1968 to 1979 (from $2,500). Best of all was a peanut roaster which, we’re assured, just needs a little oiling and it’ll be good as gold ($4,500).
1605 Queen St. W., 416-539-0833
Sam the Chandelier Man
Sam the Chandelier Man is actually two stores. With barely any space to stand, let alone move around, this duo of crammed shops is the work of Sam Mozun. Every kind of chandelier imaginable hangs from the ceiling, and Mozun can tell you a tale for each one. Noting that elaborate lighting is back in style following a bit of a dry spell (and that architects are raising the height of ceilings because of this), Mozun carries chandeliers for every price-point, from pieces selling for $250 to extravagant, crystal-laden works of art that cost a pretty penny. A relatively simple Art Deco number is made from brass and crystal, while a Mediterranean fixture from the 1970s is dotted with hand-painted flowers. Mozun also does repair-work for well-loved family heirlooms.
1633 and 1635 Queen St. W., 416-537-9707
Neighbourhood Shopping Guide: Parkdale edition (part 1)
The best finds at Made You Look, Philistine, The Future of Frances Watson, Shopgirls, The Public Butter and Common Sort
