Shopping in Montréal
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Simons
This Québec City chain is a phenomenon of which everyone, no matter their age or style, seems a fan. The selection runs from $15 T-shirts to $5000 designer coats, with the former (cheap, fashionable creations and basics with which you can’t go wrong) a hit with basically everyone.
reviewed
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B
Adrenaline
Many of the city’s tattoo and piercing places are in the ‘seedier’ or more alternative parts of town like Blvd St-Laurent or Rue Ste-Catherine Est. But oddly enough Adrenaline chose to set up right next to upper-crust Westmount in the shadow of a university and a hospital. It’s considered one of the best tattoo and piercing places in town. For those who aren’t ready to make a lifetime commitment to body art, Adrenaline offers red henna ‘tattoos, ’ lasting anywhere from two to eight weeks. Other options include temporary ‘airbrushed’ tattoos, lasting three to five days, and body glitter designs that can last up to two weeks.
reviewed
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C
Chabanel Warehouses
Bargain-sniffers from far and wide flock to the Chabanel, an eight-block expanse of old factory buildings in northern Montréal west of Blvd St-Laurent. Inside are hundreds of ‘suites’ or warehouse storage rooms stuffed with locally made and imported items. From Buffalo jeans to Monte Calvo coats to Indian skirts, the choice is so huge it’s almost paralyzing. Just start on a top floor (the buildings have up to nine floors) and work your way down. Bring cash and be prepared to bargain. The shops open their doors on Saturday morning only, when something of a funfair atmosphere prevails. A few buildings are open normal hours during the week.
reviewed
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Parisian Laundry
A former industrial laundry turned monster gallery, this 15,000-sq-ft space is worth a trip for the building itself even if you’re not a fan of large-format contemporary art. Natural light floods through enormous 19th-century-era windows into two floors of exhibition rooms. Exhibitions have included print artist Francine Simonin and international star Jean-Paul Riopelle. It also holds occasional artists’ talks and lectures.
reviewed
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E
Priape
Montréal’s biggest gay sex store has made a career out of parodying itself in great style. It’s been on the scene for a quarter of a century so it’s plugged into the mainstream erotic wares (videos and DVDs, mags and books) but has branched into high-quality clothing with a titillating edge – shrink-wrapped jeans, but also a vast choice of black leather gear in the basement studio.
reviewed
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Galerie de Bellefeuille
Even Montrealers may not know that Galerie de Bellefeuille is one of the top private agents of Canadian art abroad, representing the likes of Nicola Hicks, Stephen Conroy and Jim Dine. Sculpture, paintings and limited-edition prints are given excellent space in this grand ex-bank with its winding staircase. The manager, Anthony Collins, is a gold mine of knowledge on the local arts scene.
reviewed
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Ogilvy
Once a Victorian-era department store, Ogilvy has transformed itself into a collection of high-profile boutiques. When it was remodeled in the late 1920s the owner had a concert hall built on the 5th floor called ‘The Tudor’ that’s still open for viewing. Ogilvy’s front window displays mechanical toys that are a Montréal fixture at Christmas.
reviewed
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Space FB
Local sportswear designer Francois Beauregard’s eponymous line of casual mix-and-match separates is a stylish and authentic alternative to American Apparel, and Montréal scenesters wear the stuff in spades. With sexy-sporty T-shirts and hoodies sharing racks with tailored jackets and slacks, the shop’s clean design suits the simple silhouettes of its wares.
reviewed
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Betsey Johnson
Yes, the iconic New York designer has oodles of fans across the border, and her dresses are a smashing hit with the Montréal set. Browse through layers of feminine bliss, ruffles and perfectly fitted silhouettes in satin and lace. While frocks can run upwards of $3000, they’ll last a lifetime and the half-old sale rack is always crammed with pretty bargains.
reviewed
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Holt Renfrew
This Montréal institution is a godsend for label-conscious, cashed-up professionals and upscale shoppers. From fragrance to cosmetics, jewelry and men’s and women’s fashion, ‘Holt’s’ is the go-to spot for prestigious brands like Gucci and Prada. Services include personal shoppers and concierges, and an on-site café.
reviewed
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Birks Jewellers
For more than a century this upscale vendor of baubles and bangles has been Montréal’s answer to Tiffany’s of New York. Henry Birks opened his first store in 1879 and expanded throughout Canada. By 1936 the store won the right to supply the British royal family. Just the coffered ceiling in Wedgwood blue warrants a visit to the sales floor.
reviewed
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Schreter
This Jewish-run store has been going strong since 1928 thanks to its inexpensive brand-name clothing in all sizes: winter coats and boots, socks, underwear, jeans, sportswear. Parents remember how their parents brought them here to stock up on the equivalent of Nike, Reebok and Adidas at great savings. It’s still the place to get your basics.
reviewed
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Kanuk
When people in Québec say ‘Kanuk’ they mean the winter coats that last a lifetime, and although they’re available throughout the province, this flagship store has the best selection, and seasonal sales. Most jackets stay toasty in temperatures dipping to -30ºC. Kanuk also carries raincoats, swimsuits, backpacks and hiking gear.
reviewed
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N
Centre Eaton
This five-story retailing palace on the main shopping drag is home to 175-plus stores and restaurants, and six movie screens. The tax-refund service Global Refund Canada is on the 4th floor. The Promenade de la Cathédrale is an underground passage of the complex that runs beneath the Cathédrale Christ Church.
reviewed
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O
Cheap Thrills
Montréal's oldest used CD and cassette shop is so full you can hardly swing a cat. The selection covers everything from electronica, noise and indie-rock to jazz, blues and R&B, including hard-to-find imports. Upstairs you can snap up new recordings usually several dollars below prices elsewhere, and there's a decent collection of paperbacks.
reviewed
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Centre de Commerce Mondial de Montréal
The World Trade Centre is hidden completely behind the old facade of the ruelle des Fortifications. A lane marks the former location of the northern wall of the Old Town. Inside is a sweeping concourse with luxurious Italian fountains, an elegant carved stairway and a section of the Berlin Wall; above lie multiple layers of chic boutiques and stores.
reviewed
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Place Montréal Trust
One of downtown’s most successful malls, with enough rays from the skylights to keep shoppers on their day clock. Major retailers here include Athletes World Superstore, Indigo books, Mexx, Winners and Zara. It has a tremendous water fountain with a spout 30m high, and during the holidays a Christmas tree illuminates the five-story space.
reviewed
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Librissime
It bills itself as more than just a bookstore, and it’s right, there really is no other place like this in the city. Gorgeous books here are imported from all over the world including Italy and India and white gloves are laid on the displays for you to don before touching the tomes, including giant-sized books that cost upwards of $1000.
reviewed
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Roots
Its reputation is now soooo big worldwide that customers may forget Canada’s own Roots started off as a humble shoemaker in the ’70s. Now its range includes Roots for kids, Roots athletics, leather and home accessories. Tastes are easily accessible and geared to teens and 20-somethings, fashionable and at times even innovative.
reviewed
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Cruella
With a coffin centerpiece and one of the biggest arrays of Gothic and fetish clothing in Montréal, Cruella is the biggest apparition in the Plateau grave-digger’s scene. Slip into a chain-link miniskirt, dominatrix leggings or a Victorian shroud to give your party that something extra, or pick up vampire fangs and bondage icons.
reviewed
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Chaussures Tony
At Chaussures Tony the gracious, professional staff aren’t afraid to measure your feet and have made this elegant, old-fashioned shoe store popular among Westmount locals of all ages since 1937. The family-owned business stocks mostly high-end and comfortable footwear with a few trendy pairs for the fashionistas.
reviewed
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Duo
If you’re a suave fellow looking to dress sharp, head directly to this well-stocked little shop, staffed (it would appear) by models with a penchant for men’s fashion. Duo carries hot brands like Swedish suitmaker J.Lindeberg, and Canada’s own DSquared, as well as designer sneakers and accessories. Fedora, anyone?
reviewed
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Parasuco Jeans
Newly renovated and reopened, this store shines with self confidence and shows their sexy denim designs to terrific impact. What was a rough-and-ready garment for goldminers has clearly got out of hand. Parasuco caught some thieves on security camera saying 'take only the Parasucos' and it became the basis of a successful ad campaign.
reviewed
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Hudson Bay Co
La Baie, as it’s called in French, found fame three centuries ago for its striped wool blankets used to measure fur skins. Pass the legions of perfumery stands on the ground floor and take the escalators to the clothing boutiques on the 2nd floor, or make a strategic move for the cut-price garments on the 8th floor.
reviewed
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Moog Audio
This electronic and audio-equipment boutique used to house the legendary techno DNA record shop. These days, it sells synthesizers, amps, speakers, mics and sampler-type gear to rock stars, DJs and producers, both aspiring and established. Moog also rents audio equipment (for concerts and events) and is an authorized Mac dealer.
reviewed