When people ask you where to find the best shopping in Toronto, what do you say? Most likely you name somewhere or something on the Queen West strip between University and Ossington. But awesome boutiques are popping up all over the city, especially off the ol’ beaten track of Queen West, and they’re worth the trek. Here’s our list of the top five boutiques to check out and why they love where they are.
The Narwhal
Situated next to the beer store and overlooking its parking lot, the quirky location of Rosedale’s newest and coolest boutique, The Narwhal, only adds to its mystique. Owners Sydney Wills and Marisa Buchkowsky have filled their shop to the brim with exquisitely-picked pieces from some of fashion’s most coveted ready-to-wear brands. Expect to fall in love with everything from A.L.C., Preen and Helmut Lang to Toronto’s very own Chloe Comme Parris.
Why I heart my area: “We grew up in the area and always wished there was a cool shop we could go to. We love Queen West, but don’t want ‘cool’ to only be downtown.”
Shop pick: feather print French cuff shirt by Rag & Bone, $570
The Narwhal, 8 Price Street, 647-351-5011
290 ION Fashion
After 15 years of business at Queen and Soho, and a ten-year hiatus, Sanghun Oh re-opened the doors of 290 ION Fashion three years ago in Corktown. Best known for her incredible support of Canadian designers — she helped launch the careers of Joeffer Caoc, Comrags and Lida Baday — Oh’s shop floor is now filled with the likes of Montreal’s Marie Saint Pierre, Veronique Miljkovitch and Melissa Nepton, alongside a mixture of designers from Copenhagen to Paris.
Why I heart my area: “I love that when my customers come here, they can park, they can focus and they can shop. They’re not surrounded by distractions and they get to do what they came here to do, which is shop!”
Shop pick: linen-jersey long vest by Melissa Nepton, $165
290 ION Fashion, 380 Queen Street East, 647-283-5321
Tabula Rasa
Located on Broadview Avenue, just south of the Danforth, Tabula Rasa was opened by Ryerson Fashion Design graduate Jennifer Park in Oct. of ’09. Committed to the importance of individual style, Park provides women with a selection of re-worked vintage and new pieces from labels such as: My Teaspoon, Alternative Apparel and BB Dakota.
Why I heart my area: “I’m an east end girl, this is the neighborhood I grew up in and it is home. Plus I’m the only kick-ass vintage store on the Danforth!”
Shop pick: denim chambray bustier by My Teaspoon, $69
Tabula Rasa, 745 Broadview Avenue, 416-465-4450
Woodlawn
The youngest shop of our top five list, business partners Ainaz Maleko and Jennifer Kim opened Woodlawn last April. Having set up shop at Dundas and Dufferin, the boutique offers clothing and accessories for both men and women by labels that include YMC, General Assembly and Whillas & Gunn — notably, most pieces are exclusive to the shop or hard to find anywhere else.
Why I heart my area: “Its great to be a part of a neighborhood where you find all your favourite cafes, bars, restaurants, butcher shops and bakeries. There is a real sense of community on the street and that is one of our favourite things about our location.”
Shop pick: men’s britches by Birdwell Beach Britches, $85
Woodlawn, 1491 Dundas St. West, 416-551-8000
Sara Duke Factory Store
Sara Duke’s little factory on Bloor West offers simple, easy separates in small quantities from her own line as well as other indie T.O. designers at a price range from $18-$108. Why bother with fast-fashion mega-chains when you can now support local and wear something unique at the same price-point?
Why I heart my area: “I picked my location based on the huge space, but when I opened up and started to meet my neighbors, I was blown away by how nice, supportive and wonderful the locals are. The people I meet here are the very best, I heart Bloordale!”
Shop pick: ‘New’ cotton dress by “I made this for you” – Sara Duke, $88
Sara Duke Factory Store, 1244 Bloor Street West