Showing 1-15 of 15 results
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Benjo
This toy shop/children's paradise gives you a glimpse into what the world would be like if adults were overthrown and kids were running things instead. Even the front door is pint-sized (the adult-sized door is off to the side). There's a train that goes around the store on weekends, and arts and crafts for little ones during the week (usually around C$10 - C$15 ). Evening craft workshops for Moms are on Wednesday. Call for times.
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Boutique Kettö
Illustrator Julie St-Onge-Drouin started up Kettö after her illustrative designs kept finding their way onto ceramic surfaces. At this beautifully set up boutique they're on everything from plates and mugs to ceramic jewelry. The necklaces are fantastic. You may find the images too cutesy at first, but plenty of the objects are done up in bold geometric designs and bright colors that would make great gifts for anyone.
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Choco-Musée Érico
The exotic smells and sheer number of flavors here will have a chocolate-lover go into absolute conniptions of joy. Try strawberry and basil truffles or the ice cream that comes in orange pekoe tea and beet-and-raspberry flavors. Or go for the chocolate-chip cookie packed with semi-sweet chocolate chunks, dates and black tea. There's a little museum in the back and a window where you can watch the chocolatiers do their work.
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Excalibor Québec
Devoted to all things medieval, this Québec company sells clothes, jewelry and accessories and manufactures about 80% of its stock. Some of the outfits are pretty spectacular but also very pricey. But there's also plenty of items that have been dialed down a notch and are actually wearable in public. Terrific, good-humored staff are on hand to help you with the sometimes intimidating networks of hooks, eyes and looping ribbons.
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Galerie Art Inuit
Devoted to Inuit carvings from artists all over arctic Canada, this place is gorgeously set up, elaborately lit with a well-trained staff who knowledgably answer questions. Carvings range from the small to the large and intricate. Be prepared for both steep prices and fantastic quality. It ships internationally.
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Galerie d'Estampe Plus
A terrific gallery specializing in prints by Quebecers. The artists' biographies are pasted on the walls, and there's plenty of post cards and greeting cards if you can't afford the real thing.
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Ja Moisan Épicier
Established in 1871 this is considered the oldest grocery store in North America. The store is beautifully set up and fun just to browse - ever seen black-and-white zebra-striped bow pasta? The products do generally fall on the 'You've got to be kidding!' side of expensive but there will be products here you've never seen before along with heaps of local produits du terroir .
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Kama Sutra
This low-key store was started up by a sexologist. Despite being surrounded by all manner of dildos and naughty-bits done up in milk chocolate, the fresh-scrubbed friendly staff mingle easily with everyone from students to middle-aged married couples from Toronto in this no-embarrassment environment.
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Marché Du Vieux-Port
This is a local market where you can buy fresh fruits and vegetables as well as dozens of local specialties, from Île d'Orléans blackcurrent wine to ciders, honeys, chocolates, herbal handcreams and, of course, maple syrup products. Weekends see huge crowds and more wine tastings than can be considered sensible.
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Running Room
This Alberta-based chain sells running shoes and accessories but also does free group runs led by an employee. Just meet at the store. It has fantastic downloadable route maps on its site.
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Sillons
This independent record store has been around for over 15 years and specializes in jazz, world music and music from Québec and France. It's not the best place for metal or hip-hop but other than that this is a great place to come if you want advice on which Jean Leloup or Les Colocs CD you should be adding to your collection.
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Simons
One of the city's business success stories. Simons was started by the son of a Scottish immigrant who set up a dry goods store in Québec City. By 1952 his descendents had turned the business into a successful clothing store. It's popular all over Québec for its trendy Twick label and for stocking items that are more cutting edge than those at competing department stores. There's been a Simons at this location since 1870.
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Taxi
This is a funky little store devoted to one thing and one thing only: men's underwear and lots of it. The T-Shirts and briefs are colorful and cutting edge. Well, as cutting edge as men's cotton underwear can be without raising eyebrows. The company is based in the village of Ste-Anne-de-la-Pérade, about 1.5hrs southwest of Québec City. Taxi underwear is 100% Canadian-made.
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Un Air De France
A lovely simple shop devoted to artisanal soaps and bath products. Animal fats aren't used in the soaps and they're kept as 'vegetable based' as possible. The odors are wonderful; rich without smelling fake. The melon and cucumber, green tea or maple syrup soaps are real standouts! The owner isn't the best ambassador for his products (don't even think about picking up a non-tester soap unless you're prepared for the full breadth of his wrath).
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Vêtements 90 Degrés
Set up by a Québec City artist who decided to slap simple, strong images and cheeky French text onto T-shirts and tank tops, this store is now going gangbusters. Even non-French speakers dig the shirts. The Québécois slang can be impenetrable but the staff will do their best to translate into English for you. If you still don't get it don't worry, the text may be saucy but it's never vulgar so feel free to pick something just for the image.
Showing 1-15 of 15 results
