Shopping in Canada
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Joaillerie Jules Perrier
Passion is the inspiration behind this well-known jeweler’s stunning designs, unique earrings, brooches, pendants and more. It’s full of precious stones, making browsing in this elegant locale – still a family business –feel like perusing art. The shop also carries brands like Movado.
reviewed
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Mallard Cottage
Over Signal Hill, away from town, is the tiny, picturesque village of Quidi Vidi. Here you'll find the oldest cottage in North America, Mallard Cottage, which dates from the 1750s. It's now a national heritage site and a very cluttered antique/junk shop. Something is sure to charm you; profits go to maintenance.
reviewed
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Metropolitan News Agency
Missing your January 19, 1984 copy of the Winnipeg Free Press? Well, chances are, you'll be able to find a yellowed copy here amongst over 5000 newspapers and magazines from across the globe. It just gets weirder and weirder the longer you poke around. If you can't find it here it probably doesn't exist.
reviewed
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Mink Chocolates
If chocolate is the main food group in your book, follow your candy-primed nose to this designer choccy shop in the downtown core. Select a handful of souvenir bon-bons – little edible artworks embossed with prints of trees and coffee cups – then hit the drinks bar for the best velvety hot choc you've ever tasted.
reviewed
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Guild Shop
The Ontario Crafts Council has been promoting artisans for over 70 years. Ceramics, jewelry, glassworks, prints and carvings make up most of the displays, but you could also catch a special exhibition of Pangnirtung weaving or Cape Dorset graphics. Staff are knowledgeable about First Nations art.
reviewed
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Holt Renfrew Last Call
A discount haven for budget-savvy fashionistas, Last Call carries last year's fashions from Bloor-Yorkville's exclusive Holt Renfrew (416-922-2333; 50 Bloor St W; 10am-6pm Mon-Wed, 10am-8pm Thu & Fri, 10am-6pm Sat, noon-6pm Sun; Bloor-Yonge) at up to 60% off. There are monthly promotions, too.
reviewed
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Galerie Art Inuit
Devoted to Inuit carvings from artists all over arctic Canada, this place is gorgeously set up and elaborately lit with well-trained staff who knowledgeably answer questions. Carvings range from the small to the large and intricate. Be prepared for both steep prices and fantastic quality. It ships internationally.
reviewed
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Un Amour des Thés
Over 160 types of loose tea sit in canisters behind the counter of this charming shop. It stocks leaf varieties and flavors you’ve likely not only never heard of, but never imagined (red-berries and maple syrup, tea with chocolate oils, cream of Earl Grey). Regular tea tastings and ceremonies are also held.
reviewed
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John Fluevog
While some of the footwear here looks like Doc Martens on acid or as though it could poke your eye out from 20 paces, many of Fluevog’s funky shoes also have a reduced ‘green footprint.’ Check out the synthetic vegetarian shoes and the completely biodegradable ‘Earth Angels’ range.
reviewed
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International Travel
For maps, atlases, globes and guides covering nearly every region of the world, drop by this travel-lovers' favorite. It publishes 200 titles of its own and distributes 23,000 titles by other manufacturers. Ask the staff any geographic question from Andorra to Zambia, and they'll be able to find the map to answer it.
reviewed
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Lola & Emily
Less is more at this whimsically girly shop designed like your dream vintage apartment. Carefully selected clothes by brands like Swedish designer Filippa K, Denmark’s Designers Remix, Belgium’s Essential and Canada’s Ca Va de Soi are displayed in antique Indian furniture, which is also for sale.
reviewed
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David Mirvish Books
The only bookstore specializing in new art books in the country, this former gallery is a calm, spacious atmosphere for browsing through books on architecture, photography, cooking, design, graphic arts, film and more. Those in the know come just to view the renowned Frank Stella painting, which adorns the back wall.
reviewed
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Benjo
This toy shop gives a glimpse into what the world would be like if kids ran the show. Even the front door is pint-sized (the adult-sized door for grown-ups 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 $10 to $15).
reviewed
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Heavens Playground
Nestled in a new ministrip of urban fashion boutiques including Puma, Adidas and American Apparel, this is the first North American outlet for this ultra-cool Dutch chain that kits out people who want to look hip without looking like they’re trying. The hot item here is the Gsus and the Seven Deadly Sins T-shirt.
reviewed
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General 54
The hats! The bags! The community consciousness! Mile End artists have created almost everything stocked at this great little boutique. Goods are sold on consignment with creators getting proceeds from the store. You’ll find stuff you won’t find anywhere else, including funky T-shirts and leather handbags.
reviewed
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F/X
The tornado of girliness that hits you upon entering F/X makes it worth just a visit, even if tutus, Hello Kitty paraphernalia, colored wigs and rhinestone jewelry aren't your scene. The store carries its own line of nail polish in every shade of the rainbow, and, on the 2nd floor, gowns to befit every manner of princess.
reviewed
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La Casa del Habano
This well-stocked stogie temple has 50 brands of Cuban cigar. Be aware that taking these across the border into the USA is illegal although some travelers separate the bands when packing. Cigaraphernalia sold here includes cutters, humidors, lighters and books. The lounge and espresso bar attracts young important puffers.
reviewed
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Crafthouse
At this bright and friendly nonprofit gallery run by the Craft Council of BC (CCBC), the shelves hold everything from glass goblets and woven scarves to hand-forged jewelry and lathe-turned wooden bowls – all produced by around 120 regional artisans. The gallery also keeps schedules of provincial craft shows.
reviewed
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Le Point Vert
Part magazine shop, part hangout, this family-run establishment in the Portuguese are of the Plateau carries hard-to-find literature as well as the essentials. You’re apt to spot bespectacled hipsters perusing the latest issue of Adbusters alongside vintage fashionistas leafing through French Vogue.
reviewed
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Bacci's
Combining designer women's clothing on one side and a room full of hard-to- resist trinkets piled high on antique wooden tables on the other, Bacci's is a dangerous place to browse. Before you know it, you'll have an arm full of chunky luxury soaps, embroidered cushions and picture-perfect coffee pots to fit in your suitcase.
reviewed
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Little Sister's Book & Art Emporium
One of the only gay bookshops in western Canada, Little Sister's is a large bazaar of queer-positive tomes, plus magazines, DVDs and gifts. Proceeds of designated books support the store's long-running legal battle against Canada Customs for its seizures of imported items. A good place to network with the local 'gayborhood.'
reviewed
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Complexe Desjardins
This 1970s multifunctional complex links three office towers, a shopping mall and a big public plaza with atrium, trees and tinkling waterfalls in what’s still Montréal’s largest commercial building. The food court in the basement is usually buzzing with shoppers exhausted by the selection from 110 stores.
reviewed
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Hunt & Gather
A crisp white interior showcases the in-house-designed handmade clothing, bags and accessories here as if they are artworks. Some of them are, including a clutch of elegant classics that will likely become mainstays of your wardrobe for years. It’s making waves across North America, despite its humble size and location.
reviewed
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Harricana
Milan-trained fashion designer Mariouche uses top-grade materials to create fur and woven garments of unparalled style and beauty; soft, comfortable and for the most part affordable. Her creations are regular features in the fashion magazines. This airy corner boutique occupies an old bank and uses its safe as a changing room.
reviewed
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Les Antiquités Grand Central
The most elegant store on Antique Row is a pleasure to visit for its English and continental furniture, lighting and decorative objects from the 18th and 19th centuries. Get buzzed in to see the Louis XIV chairs, full dining-room suites and chandeliers in Dutch cathedral or French Empire style, with price tags in the thousands.
reviewed