Shopping in Québec
-
A
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 goods.
reviewed
-
B
Boutique Kettö
Illustrator Julie St-Onge-Drouin started up Kettö after her illustrative designs kept finding their way onto ceramic surfaces. Now at this big, bright and beautifully set-up boutique, they’re on everything from plates and mugs to ceramic jewelry and necklaces. Great gifts, her designs are sold in small boutiques throughout Québec, but here you’ll find the best selection.
reviewed
-
C
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
-
D
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
-
E
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).
reviewed
-
F
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 descendants had turned the business into a successful clothing store. It’s popular all over Québec for its trendy Twik label and for stocking items more cutting-edge than those at competing department stores. There’s been a Simons at this location since 1870.
reviewed
-
G
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
-
H
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
-
I
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
-
J
Choco-Musée Érico
The exotic smells and flavors here will send a chocolate lover into 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 semisweet chocolate chunks, dates and black tea. There’s a little museum in the back and a window where you can watch the chocolatiers work.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
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
-
L
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
-
M
Taxi
This is a funky little store devoted to 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 1½ hours southwest of Québec City. Taxi underwear is 100% Canadian made.
reviewed
-
N
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
-
O
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
-
P
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
-
Q
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
-
R
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
-
S
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
-
T
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
Advertisement
-
U
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
-
V
Excalibur Québec
Devoted to all things medieval, this Québec company sells clothes, jewelry and accessories. It also manufactures about 80% of its merchandise. Some of the outfits are pretty spectacular – and pricey. But plenty of items have been dialed down a notch and are actually wearable in public. This is one of many such stores around the province.
reviewed
-
W
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
-
X
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
-
Y
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
