Shopping in Canada
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A
Boa
Boa's hip yet classy designs and bright, vibrant fabrics stand out in the Toronto crowd – perhaps because most of the clothes are imports from LA. There's another store on Yonge St.
reviewed
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B
Muchstore
Music lovers should head here for fashions showcased on Much Music, Canada's music TV station, as well as pop star–designed labels by names like Kelly Osbourne and Simple Plan, and MuchMusic memorabilia.
reviewed
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C
Prairie Pottery
Chockablock with plates, bowls, mugs and anything else you can imagine, you'll find exceptional original work from 35-plus provincial artists here. It's never too early to start shopping for Mother's Day.
reviewed
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D
Glad Day
As Canada's oldest queer bookstore, Glad Day's been importing lesbigay material since 1970. Central to Toronto's colorful gay village, it is now proud to stock over 11,000 book, DVD and periodical titles.
reviewed
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E
Black Market Vintage Clothing
A new paint job and new walls have given the Black Market a facelift, but this Queen Street landmark's still got the same soul. Follow the psychedelic stairway to a mecca for screened T's and retro gear.
reviewed
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Owen Sound Farmers' Market
This co-op of vendors is one of the oldest in Ontario. Set up in an old brick waterworks building, the weekly displays include ripe produce, maple syrup, soaps and baked goods among the colorful bounty.
reviewed
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F
Auto Grotto Automobilia
In building 32 of the Distillery District, Auto Grotto Automobilia displays model cars, art deco racing posters, vintage memorabilia and just about anything to please an auto enthusiast.
reviewed
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Vancouver Store
Visit the waterfront Vancouver store of BC Ferries for information, packages and tickets. In 2010, the company also began introducing free wi-fi on some of its vessels.
reviewed
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G
Red Cat Records
Owned and operated by a pair of Vancouver musicians, Red Cat is packed with rare and local CDs and vinyl, and the staff are happy to offer plenty of suggestions for how to tap into the local live scene.
reviewed
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H
Chatelet
Shabby chic is redefined in this pink and white paradise of style from the 1700s. A mix of antique and new, silk cushions and chandeliers, Chatelet is French country life through rose-colored glasses.
reviewed
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I
Galerie 2000
Always fresh and entertaining, this eclectic gallery has large, flashy, tasteful displays from classic landscapes to neocubist portraits, with the occasional well-charted flight into the alternative.
reviewed
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J
Thomas Hinds Tobacconist
There's a wide selection of tobacco products and pipe tobaccos here, but the Cuban cigars and Cubita coffee (which has connoisseurs flocking) are the hot items, especially for American aficionados.
reviewed
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Farmers Market at Lansdowne Park
After breakfast, hit the Farmers Market at Lansdowne Park to buy produce for the week and chat with the local farmers. It’s also a great place to pick up some lunch: garlic dips.
reviewed
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K
Felix Brown
Black pumps with 10cm heels, ego-stroking staff and suits that mean business are the hallmarks of a shopping trip to this place. All items are imported from Italy and styles are sharp as a tack.
reviewed
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L
Propaganda
Tongue-in-cheek meets street chic at Propaganda, promoters of local and Canadian designers. Check out the handmade jewelry, bag and clothing creations, often emblazoned with mischievous slogans.
reviewed
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M
Tabagie Pat & Robert
Pat & Robert has a marvelous selection of the aromatic leaf – canned, rolled, displayed in plastic dispenser bins, with whatever accessory to make those rising coils a heavenly trip.
reviewed
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N
Wild & Wooly
This place has all sorts of lovely locally made jewelry along with quite fashionable men's and women's clothes. This is the place to see some of the large nuggets still being found near Dawson.
reviewed
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O
Fruits & Passion
This well-known international chain of natural aromatherapy bath and beauty products sells lovely, familiar products whose scents and sense of pampering are a welcome relief to road warriors.
reviewed
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P
Fresh Baked Goods
A true taste of Toronto style is to be had at this miniboutique, which rents out space to local designers. Check it out for beaded jewelry and funky knitwear by Laura-Jean the Knitting Queen.
reviewed
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Q
Silver Snail Comic Shop
Silver Snail is home to action-figure versions of every conceivable hero and villain, from cult classics to big name box-office hits, as well as classic, rare and of-the-moment comic books.
reviewed
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R
Quincaillerie Dante
This quirky little Italian-owned hardware and cooking supply store is a household name, selling everything from first-class pots and pans to espresso makers, fishing rods and hunting gear.
reviewed
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S
Future Shop
Canada’s one-stop shop for music systems, computers and software, printers, cell phones, video cameras and entertainment gadgets. Watch out for the weekly flyers with awesome sales.
reviewed
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T
Librairie Michel Fortin
A mecca for every foreign-language student and linguist freak in town. You can find books, cassettes or novels on just about every language in the world from Thai to Basque to Georgian.
reviewed
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U
Old Strathcona Farmers' Market
This not-to-be-missed indoor market offers everything from organic food to arts and crafts, and hosts some 130 vendors. Everyone comes here on Saturday morning – it's quite the scene.
reviewed
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V
J.B. Laliberté
Founded in 1867, this furrier has grown into one of Canada’s major players. You’ll find fancy collections of furs, coats, accessories and more, quite reasonably priced.
reviewed