After a tirade of construction deterred many from heading to Toronto’s Polish village for, oh, almost forever, this west end ‘hood is now enjoying quite the revival. With many plenty of new businesses rearing their heads (with the exception of one landmark bakery shuttering after 39 years), Roncy is becoming a destination, featuring a great medley of boutiques and eateries. Below, some of the strip’s best shops.
Scout
This is one of our favourite new stores in the city, because owner Leah Eyles never fails to impress us with her covetable picks. Some new finds include a 2012 calendar by Katie Muth, filled with bewitching lino-blocked scenes of home ($20). Napkins with red wine “stains” are a great way to postpone trips to the laundromat ($25), while an anchor bottle opener is a nice upgrade from a lighter ($32.95).
405 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-546-6922
Planet Kid
Curated by Sarajane Fillmore, this shop for tots is filled with cute and clever products, many of which are Canadian-made. A cherry-red capelet from Patouche is made in Toronto from 100 per cent wool, and features a simple-but-charming flower appliqué ($38). Teeny tiny sheepskin booties look like they belong on babies in the Alps ($38), while various curious critters seem to be surprised at their positioning on a knit hat ($31.95). Unique toys are also scattered about; we liked the build-your-own kind by fidoodle, allowing kids to construct their own movable cars or creatures ($14).
87 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-537-9233
Frock
This lively boutique — parked on the corner of the block — is filled with delicious finds. Carrying a mix of pieces from Canada, the U.S. and overseas, we fell for a dreamy Valérie Dumaine dress ($156) and a red bra top by Free People dotted with miniature white hearts ($46). Garb from Pendleton can be found here, alongside homegrown line Alice & Alishka. Accessories include handmade, recycled leather and fur hats from Rachel.F. ($150-$295) and beautifully crafted leather schoolboy backpacks from New York label Etwas ($560).
97 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-516-1333
Mrs. Huizenga
Kind of like stepping into your grandmother’s hodgepodge of a home, the Mrs. is chock full of anything and everything one can imagine. Absorbing it all in one visit is unlikely, for each surface is bubbling over with seemingly endless retro goods. Live vicariously through the adventures of Nancy Drew ($6) while curling up by the fire (or just the fireplace channel), or craft your own tome with the aid of a Royal typewriter ($90). The kitchen table can be perked up with some cheerily embroidered napkins (six for $24) and painted coasters ($8) featuring chipper folks whistling while they work (though not literally, as far as we could tell). While the front space houses goods for the home, the smaller back room is devoted to vintage fashions; we enjoyed a floppy black hat and a pair of multicoloured pumps.
121 Roncesvalles Ave. 416-533-2112
Imelda
Named after the infamous Mrs. Marcos who owned, ahem, 1,060 pairs of shoes, Imelda is to the foot what Frock is to the bod. Carrying lines such as Frye, Re-Mix and Sorel, local ladies can saunter around town imagining they’ve stepped out of a Western flick or the Glastonbury mud. We fell for some tan lace-up booties from Swedish Hasbeens, loving the rustic craftsmanship and the wooden sole ($429). Meanwhile, a tiny vintage section is tucked to the side; a cream poncho ($139) with hand-embroidered violet flowers will likely stir up controversy (since folks are always opinionated about the poncho); while a camel-coloured chapeau — complete with flirtatious netting and a floral burst — is a sly look for Sunday brunch ($39).
123 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-516-1333
The Mercantile
Owner Shannon Doyle was known as the hostess with the mostess before she decided to open a shop dedicated to helping others impress with the same ease. This specialty food store offers a wide selection of teas, oils, salts, preserves, spices and more, along with custom-made gift baskets ($40 and up). Suggested cheap ‘n’ chic gifts include McClure’s garlic and dill pickles ($9.99), oak-aged apple cider vinegar from Wyatt Farm ($16), and fair trade sea salt chocolate from Galerie au Chocolat ($4.95). We were also drawn to Nellie’s All-Natural laundry goods. The laundry detergent nuggets ($19.95) are worth getting for the tin packaging alone, never mind the other benefits.
297 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-531-7563
Fetch
This cozy shop houses all the goods needed to deck your canine companion out. With eco-friendly leashes and all-natural food, owner Nadia Brooks has sussed out products that nurture both the pup and the environment. A roller derby collar featuring miniature tattoo-style images ($50) pairs nicely with a tough-as-nails studded treats jar ($30). For owners on the go, Brooks offers up daily doggy daycare, and has her very own dog park nearby. Most exciting of all, puppy adoption days are held a few times each year, with the next one happening on Jan. 21. Moosonee Puppy Rescue saves dogs from communities in northern Ontario that are overrun with them, hoping to find them new homes. Most of the puppies are husky mixes, and are incredibly adorable but rather hard to photograph!
367 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-534-6986
Fresh Collective
Specializing in local designers, this boutique — which is run by the designers themselves — carries both clothing and accessories for the lady who eschews fast fashion. With lines such as Fresh Baked Goods (from founder Laura-Jean Bernhardson) and Brenda Beddome lining the racks, pieces feature a variety of silhouettes; some give off a retro vibe, while others are more suited to those with classic tastes. A multicoloured dress by Fresh Baked Goods with a whirling circular pattern conjures up images of vibrant Tokyo ($165), while a lacey coat by Brenda Beddome offers a whiff of French boudoir ($270). The jewellery in this location (there are two others) includes sophisticated pieces by Nicole Boudreau and Elementals; a multi-strand necklace created using Swarovski crystals is simply stunning ($249).
401 Roncesvalles Ave., 647-352-7123
Mariclaro
Founded by globetrotters Sven Schlegel and Willa Murray, this sustainable design company sells a mix of green and up-cycled products, but is perhaps best known for its bags. Plucking materials from scrapyards and intercepting goods bound for the landfill, backpacks are created using a medley of unexpected materials. Car upholstery, bike tubes, seatbelts and exploded airbags are just some of the items the team works with. The result? Incredibly durable pieces that caught the attention of the Globe Awards and, oh, the New York Times. We fell for a metallic grey backpack, imagining it to be highly visible for nighttime biking ($139). Other goods include earrings made from recycled projector slides ($18, fathers everywhere, take note); offbeat bike bells by Epidemic 613 ($25) and the adorably menacing Damned Dollies.
457 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-533-9161
Stasis Local Foods
The newest kid on the block, this shop hawking Julian Katz’s pickled products has been open for a mere few weeks. Run with help from mom, dad and sister Katz — in addition to girlfriend Emily Pennington — Stasis promotes eating locally and in season, shunning anything artificial. Though Katz’s goods have already been spotted around town and can be found at various farmers’ markets, this is his first retail location. Products change based on the time of year; current offerings include Ontario strawberry rhubarb jam ($8), and black walnuts in honey ($12).
476 Roncesvalles Ave., 416-533-1079
Plastik Wrap
Recently featured in the Encyclopedia Gothica, Plastik Wrap carries alternative clothing for male and female cyberpunks, goths and those who just have a thing for black. Located a bit past the northernmost part of Roncy (which actually morphs into Dundas West), the garments are all made in Canada, and often incorporate futuristic materials and finishes. Although much of the garb is not for wallflowers, other pieces — such as a dark grey winter jacket with body-conscious piping ( on sale for $310) — will work on just about anyone. A lacy black bra with lilac edging is far more pretty than punk ($85), though a black women’s vest — with steel blue contrast panels — seems to have been snatched straight from the scenes of Blade Runner ($75). Our favourite? A pair of black armbands printed with silver storm clouds ($32). We’re pretty sure Robert Smith would approve.
2235 Dundas St. W., 416-778-4967
