Kid Icarus may be known as Kensington Market’s under-the-radar stationery and print shop, but with its recent move, the “under-the-radar” part may be scratched out. Owned and operated by Michael Viglione and Bianca Bickmore, the new spot is all retail in the front, while the back area has all the fixings for printing. Now located on the pedestrian-friendly span of Augusta Avenue, the shop is already experiencing far more foot traffic than it was at its former location around the corner.
Tucking five years in the biz under their collective belt, Viglione and Bickmore had been looking to expand for quite some time, but had yet to unearth the perfect Kensington spot. Now able to stretch out their arms (“We used to have meetings at the front counter,” Viglione says), the retail space has doubled, while the production area has increased sixfold, which will hopefully allow output to increase just as much.
Up front, endless rows of cards fill shelves, with letterpress picks from The Regional Assembly of Text and Papillon Press joining prints from Kid Icarus itself. Limited-edition band posters of contenders for this year’s Polaris Music Prize liven one wall — grab a Handsome Furs one before they’re all gone — while fun finds from the likes of Fidoodle and Julie Moon and jewellery by rare specimens are dotted throughout the room.
Meanwhile, custom-made prints can be made for folks looking for something a little more personal. Bickmore says that one of the more recent projects was an ode to the TTC; an engaged couple had wedding invitations done up in the theme, with Bickmore creating custom rubber stamps, a transit map and even a photo booth based on a TTC map for the big day.
And for those who want to learn the skills for themselves, the team plans on hosting workshops for screen-printing keeners.
Kid Icarus, 205 Augusta Ave., 416-977-7236
