Shopping in Canada
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Soundscapes
If you're struck with the need for bluegrass or spoken word in the wee hours, head here. Good prices, lots of local and rare finds and concert tickets are specialties. You'll also find listening booths, books, mags and DVDs on music, and friendly staff.
reviewed
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B
Nadya Toto
Defined by a unique recipe of spandex and wool in asymmetric cuts, Nadya’s garments offer a wonderful mixture of flexibility, comfort and warmth. Not to mention that just about every woman looks great in these gems that cost only about $150 each.
reviewed
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Oink Oink
Westmount parents rush to Oink Oink for the latest and greatest in toy gadgets and fashionable clothing for children. You’ll find that pink mini-ghetto blaster, Barbie wig set or Sunday picnic garb in this adorable little shop.
reviewed
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Boutique Oclan
International brands like Miss Sixty, Michael Kors, Buckler, JP Gaultier and more meet high-end Québec designers like Philippe Dubuc and Mackage at this little basement fashion cave. Charismatic owner Jean-Francois Renaud is quite a personality.
reviewed
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E
Clippermen's Barbershop
Let your inhibitions get lost in a fog of ale to discover your true style. Canada's only licensed barbershop lets you sip while they clip. Oh what the hell, you know you always wanted a mullet! Four varieties of beer help you cope with your new look.
reviewed
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F
Exile
Exile's endless maze of vintage gear is much older than it looks…but after you get lost amid the disco balls and yellow walls holding leather jackets, cowboy boots, furs and costume rentals, you might start to forget what year you're in, too.
reviewed
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Le Château
This trendy concept store is where to go for one-season fashion and cheaper versions of designer trends. Very popular for buying cheap, trendy club wear. There’s also a shop in the Centre Eaton, as well as others around town.
reviewed
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Polka Dot Kids
For a breath of fresh air and an answer to Nintendo overload, browse through cheery Polka Dot for a refreshing array of old-fashioned, all-natural wooden toys, knitted and linen booties, and patterned lunch boxes that hearken back to simpler times.
reviewed
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Firefly Fine Wines & Ales
While there's a great choice of interesting beers here, this popular spot is a magnet for wine buffs. They come for the sterling selection of international treats, superb service from highly knowledgeable staff and, of course, the regular tastings.
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Show Room
Five thousand pairs of jeans are housed on both levels of this lofty space, many of which can be seen on the finely toned rears of LA and European hipsters. Show Room's fitting rooms are bar none and pretty much any cut or size of denim is on site.
reviewed
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Boomer
Edgy menswear of a more forward than traditional variety line the racks of this exclusive boutique, where cooler-than-thou salespeople gladly guide dedicated followers of fashion through a sleek selection of suits, sports jackets, coats and denim.
reviewed
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Boutique Safran
Of the fancy little home-decor shops lining Ave Bernard, Safran is one of the cutest and most affordable. With a clientele of interior designers and civilians alike, you can find one-of-a-kind fabrics, pillows, lamps, chandeliers and furnishings.
reviewed
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Odyssey Books
Odyssey has soft- and hardcover books as well as a good classical and jazz CD selection. Strong in mystery, literature, jazz, philosophy, history, art and cookbooks, and recent arrivals have a special section so you can check out the latest gems.
reviewed
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Librairie Astro
Rollicking wit and helpful service are as ubiquitous as the collectible comics, books, cards and CDs stocked at this little family-run shop. They know their customers by name and will email you if they come across something you might like.
reviewed
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Saturday Market
If you arrive on a summer weekend, the best way to dive into the community is at the thriving Saturday Market, where you can tuck into luscious island-grown fruit and piquant cheeses and peruse locally produced arts and crafts.
reviewed
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Zone
Affordably chic housewares and home accents is the name of the game at this chain of shops. The simple and pretty kitchen accessories, picture frames, linens, lamps, lighting and bathroom stuff make terrific gifts for yourself or someone else.
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Arctic Nunavut
Carved Inukshuk figurines, Taloyoak dolls, Inuit handicrafts and Arctic-related books, music and DVDs are all sold here. Proceeds go toward the Nunavut Development Corporation, supporting artisans from Canada’s Aboriginal-run territory.
reviewed
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Grassroots
In the Annex. One-stop shopping for all things earth-friendly, Grassroots carries environmentally sound household items galore – even hemp coffee filters and organic bed linen are available here. It's also a used battery drop-off depot.
reviewed
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Touched by an Angel
This shop's array of colors and textures of yarn is so fantastic, you'll want to take up knitting (if you haven't already). Refreshingly affordable hats, handbags, scarves, footwear and jewelry await you as well, mostly designed by the owner.
reviewed
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The Tin Taj
Every square inch of wall and ceiling in this colorful shop seems to be home to some whimsical tin delight. Wares come from all over the world but this is definitely a place for unique Canadian memorabilia, reasonable prices and lots of fun.
reviewed
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Fourrures Dubarry
This place carries off-the-rack fur jackets, hats, fur-trim capes and coats, plus a selection of sheepskin coats and leather jackets. There are no middlemen, which keeps prices low, and you can trade in your old garment toward your purchase.
reviewed
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Owen Sound Artists' Co-op
The co-op features an assortment of crafts from regional artists. Spend countless hours browsing the high-quality pottery, photography, basketwork, woodwork, weaving and jewelry while listening to the experimental melodies of new-age music.
reviewed
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Fastball Sportscards
If it's signed Maple Leaf hockey jerseys, original Walt Disney art and stereographs, sci-fi collectibles, rare 20th-century sports cards or autographed photos you're after, this is your place. Make sure to talk shop with the friendly owner.
reviewed
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Brewery Creek
This Main St favorite is especially revered for its excellent array of bottled beer, covering choice tipples from BC and beyond. You'll find plenty of intriguing brews, from Flying Dog Pale Ale to Saskatoon's Black Cat Lager.
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Jet-Setter
An orgy of state-of-the-art luggage and every travel gadget known to man, it’s got luggage alarms, pocket-sized T-shirts, ‘dry-in-an-instant’ underwear and towels, mini-irons and hairdryers. You can also shop online.
reviewed