At the top of an unassuming staircase at a tiny Yorkville address, The Black Box Boutique opened its doors on Sept 8. Owner Lilla Balint has transformed a former office space into a sweet little jewel box of a store, selling — three guesses — jewellery. “I wanted people to walk in and have it be shiny and glittery,” Balint says.
And indeed it is. A large glass-and-silver metal chandelier hangs from the ceiling over space, while white and exposed-brick walls are punctuated with mirrored displays.
Keen to sell unique pieces from all over the country and the world — half of the designers represented in the store are Canadian — Balint does all the buying herself by scouring the Internet and industry trade shows.
The store carries lines that are crafted in places as far-flung as Israel and India, along with more localized goods from Montreal and Toronto. While the store carries baubles from better known brands such as Vita Fede, Toy Watch and Noir — the line that she says inspired her to open her own shop in the first place — she also carries designs you won’t find anywhere else in the city, like Liel and Lentz, along with Balint’s own line.
It is these personal pieces that stand out in a store full of jewellery that runs the gamut from classic to downright campy.
“I wanted to get a nice mix of different styles, as well as price ranges,” says Balint of the wide selection, all of which sells for $40 – $500.
Our favourites include the triple rib bib necklace by Liel and Lentz, which is handmade with light, carved wood ($374) for a tribal take on the statement choker trend.
So far, the biggest sellers have come from Balint’s line. We liked the covetable “fish chain” link bracelets ($52), the perfect addition to any fashionista’s arm party. Other notable mentions include Noir’s necklaces, featuring supersized lacquered pendants in the likeness of Kermit and Miss Piggy ($165), and a neckpiece by Monserat De Luca that looks exactly like a physician’s stethoscope, made from brass ($142).
Like any proprietor worth her salt, Balint is working hard to get the crème of the city into her store: she offers free mimosas on Saturdays. If that promotion is any indication, shopping at The Black Box Boutique feels like entering a modern salon: intimate and special.
The Black Box Boutique, 106 Yorkville Avenue, 2nd Floor, 647 748 8787
