carlow1

now that the hotel business is sorted out, am now looking for info in regard to "toy-shopping". i intend to start my xmas shopping on this trip. so are prices better in the outlets or in the department stores on the high streets? in particular i will be looking for dolls in the bratz range as these are a huge hit with our 6 yr old girl. mom and dad(us) just want to go sweater& jeans shopping.

BAK

I don't know of any discount toy stores anywhere.

There are several stores in the Toys, Toys, Toys chain downtown. I have a general feeling of animosity towards this chain, and fgell that they have been over-priced and non-child-friendly and felt they were run buy guys out to get the most money possible by ripping off custoemrs when they had hard to find toys. i.e. I bought Bey Blades from them for $25, when other stores were selling them for 1/3 less, except they were not in stock.

That said, on my last visit, I bought two transformers toys on sale for a very good price, and my son loved them. Plus the in-store attitude seemed to change.

There's a store on the south end of the lowest level of the Eaton Centre, north of Marche. there's another branch under the Toronto Dominion Center, near Black's Cameras.

Toys "r US is the biggest specialty toy retailer in Canada, and is closing or has closed its downtown Toronto store. If it has not closed yet, it's across Yonge Street from the Eaton Centre, south of Shuter Street.

The biggest toy retailer in Canada is the toy department of Wal-Mart, and there is no Wal-Mart downtown.

Perhaps the best toy store in Canada (but not a discounter) is on Cumberland Street, between Yonge and Bay. Cumberland is one block north of Bloor Street, a short walk from the hotel.

In the discount malls I've visited, there were no speciality toy stores, except for a lego store in the discount mall at Cookstown, thirty miles north of Toronto on Highway 400.

I live about two thirds of my life in Eddie Bauer's clothing. This is a Seattle-based retailer of mid-[priced, very well made, outdoors-oriented clothes. There's an Eddie Bauer's store on Bloor Street between Yonge and Bay. Jeans are around $50-60.

Downtown has three main shopping streets. Bloor Street and the Yorkville neighboorhood, west from Yonge Street, plus The Bay on the east corner of Bloor and Yonge. themost expensive stores in toronto, but some reasonable places, plus lots odf sales at reduced prices in most stores, fairly often.

And there's a GAP at Bloor and Bay.

Yonge Street, from a few blocks north of Bloor all the way down to Front Street is lined with stores. Some are pretty weird -- chains and leather and what look, to my untrained eye, like really high quality Goth outfits, and omse are mid-range and better, including another Gap at Yonge and Dundas. the Eaton Centre, a fifteen minute walk south fo the hotel, is a giant three storey indoor shopping mall with hundreds of stores, some American, some strictly Canadian, no Marks and Spencer anymore, and a Sears department store. Immediately south, on the other side of Queen Street, is a huge Bay department store, the oldest company in Canada.

Winners is my wife's favorite fashion store, and the source of all the clothing she buys me as gifts. Name brand end of lines, everything from lingerie to overcoats, lots of housewares, and more. Kids clothes and a few toys, too. Yonge and College is the nearest Winners to you, and the second nearest is on Spadina, south of King.

Which brings us to the third shopping area downtown. Queen Street West, from University Avenue west to BAthurst, is packed with small shops, some owned by designers, some parts of international chains, selling everything imaginable, from comic books to kids clothes to women's ahts to weird shoes, to fuses and capacitors and indusrial-class magnets. Always worth a stroll.

Discount Malls; there's one near Niagara Falls that you might hot on one of your car days. there's a lot of outlets in the area of Highway 400 and Hoighway 7, which is north and slighty west of the city. Again, a car trip. there's an Eddie Baurer's outlet up there. I have two pairs of $300 per pair Bally Swiss shoes from Globe there that cost $60 total. I think 90 percent discounts are pretty good, plus the shoes are comfortable.

And you can get on the subway and get to other itnereting shoopping areas. Yonge and Eglinton, Bloor Street West from Jane to Runnymede, and Danforth AVenue near Broadview come to mind. (There's a good toy store on Danforth near Chester subway stop, too, but small)

But if I had to go buy a Bratz tomorrow I would not have a clue where to go. maybe Toys are Us at the Sherway shopping center.

BAK

torontopm

Hi:
Toys R Us is your best bet for a good selection and a wide variety of toys. The Toys R Us downtown at Yonge and Queen is closed. However, there is one at Yonge and Eglinton, which is 5 subway stops from where your hotel is located.

The other alternative which is within walking distance to your hotel is "the Bay" at the corner of Yonge and Bloor; it is a department store and their prices are reasonable but their selection is not as numerous. The toy department as well as the children's department is located on the 4th floor.

"Toys Toys Toys" is a store that is overpriced and have very few "sales".

As Bak mentioned "Walmart" is an alternative, the closest Walmart is in west end of Toronto Called "Dufferin Mall" on Dufferin St. between Bloor and College St. This mall also has a Toys R Us, however it is difficult to get there unless you have a car(parking is free though). The toys at Walmart are priced very good but I have to caution you that toys are often picked over and they do not restock often; at this walmart anyway.

Sears a department store at the Eaton Centre also has a toy department, albeit a small one, but they may have enlarged it since Toys R Us is closed. While you are downtown there is another "Bay" as at the corner of Yonge and Queen that has larger toy department than the one nearer to you at Bloor and Yonge.

torontopm

Oh I forgot to mention that all the stores I mentioned carry Bratz(I had to buy for 6 nieces last year) except the toys store on Cumberland that Bak mention and Toys Toys Toys which I will not give my business to because as Bak said they are not children friendly.

torontopm

I should also add, if you are looking for stocking stuffers or toys for the children, there is a store called "Dollarama", just west of you at North west corner of Yonge and Charles, its inside a small mall. All items are one dollar each.

Meesthare

When are you going to be here? There is a discount toy outlet on the west side of the city, admittedly a little out of the way but accessible via the Queen Streetcar. I believe they are seasonal, though, and don't open until November. I will check if you think you might be interested. Otherwise, I'd recommend Wal-Mart. I was desperately looking for a Bratz doll for my granddaughter some months ago and was given good advice about going there. Toys R Us is impossible - the staff are rude and unhelpful and their prices aren't any great bargain. The Sherway store is near my office but I prefer not to go there.
I agree with BAK about the toy shop on Cumberland - great place! The other shops I like for my grandkids are the Mastermind chain - excellent toys and knowledgeable staff.

baker

Two other outlet malls near downtown Toronto are the Dixie Value Mall at the QEW and Hwy 427, right near Sherway mall. Another is off the 403 in Mississauga; go North on Mavis Road; it's called Heartland (I think). There's a Michael's, Bowring's, Harry Rosen, Danier, Roots, Tommy Hilfiger..just to name a few.

The one near Niagara Falls is on Lundy's Lane which is accessible from the QEW as you approach Niagara falls.

Meesthare

I think I've made this comment elsewhere on this board, but - the Dixie Mall is near my office and I go there from time to time, but I've never been very impressed with it. It's quite downmarket and probably not worth a special trip.