-
Queen West
Indicative of a Queen West long gone, the most remarkable thing about Abraham's is that somehow it survives. Handwritten signs snarl "don't even think about it" amid a jumble of haphazardly piled rusty props and dusty "antiques" from doctor's bags and deer trophies to worn church doors, creepy clown shoes, and a sparkling collection of 1950s microphones. Purchasing anything will take some guts—few prices are marked, although everything, they say, is for sale.
635 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2B7, Canada
-
Rosedale
Curios, from glass fishing floats to hand-beaded animal sculptures, are sold at this fascinating interiors shop. You'll also find an array of vintage jewelry, antique boxes made of materials ranging from marble to abalone, English campaign furniture, French architects' drafting tables, and all manner of furniture, light fixtures, and even handbags.
1236 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1W3, Canada
Shop Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
-
Ossington
Bright comfy threads with a European aesthetic and a focus on sustainable production are the focus here. Expect items from French designers Cotelac and Elsa Esturgie, and Turkish-made deconstructed sweaters from Crea Concept. The eye-catching graffiti painting inside makes for a perfect fashion backdrop.
42 Ossington Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M6J 2Y7, Canada
-
Leslieville
More than 50 artisans and purveyors display their wares in tiny spaces where vintage collections rub shoulders with mixed-media paintings, artisanal soaps, and jewelry.
790 Queen St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M4M 1H4, Canada
-
The Annex
Established in 1972, Bakka Phoenix has the distinction of being the world's oldest science fiction and fantasy bookstore. The shop is home to several thousand new and used titles, with the selection catering to readers of all ages. Knowledgeable staff members are always on hand to help find what you're looking for (or suggest something new).
84 Harbord St., Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1G5, Canada
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
Little Italy
This hushed secondhand bookshop has a tempting selection of coffee table--sized art and photography books, along with more luggage-friendly novels and plays—all denoted with Scrabble-tile signs. You may even spot some rare out-of-print treasures.
468 College St., Toronto, Ontario, M6G 1A1, Canada
-
Chinatown
Paul Wong, an artist and dealer from Vancouver, started this gallery, which is directly across the street from the Art Gallery of Ontario. The paintings and sculpture are a window into contemporary Canadian art, featuring both emerging and established artists. Just a few steps down at 324 Dundas Street West is Bau-Xi Photo, which shows Canadian and international fine art photography.
340 Dundas St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1G5, Canada
-
Queen West
Determined vintage buffs hunt through the racks of band T-shirts, faded jeans, worn shoes, and biker jackets in this unfinished upstairs warehouse-style location. It's also famous for its signature in-house screen-print tee designs.
347 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1Z8, Canada
-
The Annex
Snag deals on classic books and new releases alike at this multilevel used bookstore (short for "Books Magazines Video"). Comics fans will also be happy with the selection of single issues and graphic novels.
471 Bloor St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1X9, Canada
-
Kensington Market
Teak tables, chairs, and cabinets give this vintage shop the feel of a strangely cavernous 1970s bungalow. Organized racks are filled with Hawaiian and secondhand T-shirts, vintage 1970s dresses, and comfortably worn jeans, but you'll also find new styles, too.
273 Augusta Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2M1, Canada
-
Yorkville
The Toronto location of this internationally renowned luxury jeweler caters to the city's elite. The glass cases feature a good selection of the jewelry designer's classic creations, including the triple-gold-band Trinity Ring and the striking nail-shape Juste Un Clou collection.
131 Bloor St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1R1, Canada
-
Yorkville
Located in one of the city's historic buildings, this boutique is one of the company's largest in North America. Most of the brand's latest offerings, including classic and seasonal bags and accessories, are here, and the staff is welcoming, knowledgeable, and helpful, just what you'd expect from a store of this caliber.
98 Yorkville Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1B9, Canada
-
The Annex
The best-dressed Torontonians clear out their closets at this consignment store, which always has something cheap and cheerful on the racks. Brands range from fast-fashion to vintage to designer; the eagle-eyed might even spot some Marni or Max Mara.
444 Bloor St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1X8, Canada
-
Distillery District
Founded in 1979, Corkin Gallery is one of the most fascinating in the city with its mission to showcase art spanning the 20th and 21st centuries. The gallery’s unique, industrial space complements the experience of viewing its roster of artists, such as Barbara Astman and David Urban, and spanning media from painting to photography, sculpture, and mixed media.
7 Tank House La., Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3C4, Canada
Shop Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
-
Distillery District
Most of the reasonably priced jewelry at this Distillery District shop is Canadian-designed, and all of it is unique and handmade. Pieces range from inexpensive glass-and-silver pendants to Swiss-made stainless steel rings and pricier pieces set with pearls and other semiprecious stones.
5 Trinity St., Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3C4, Canada
-
Kensington Market
The best and longest-running vintage store in Kensington Market is crammed with the coolest retro stuff, from sunglasses to sundresses, plus an ample supply of cowboy boots and gently used Birkenstock sandals for guys and gals, all at low prices. Not everything is secondhand here: there's a wall of sparkly Indian-inspired clothing, lots of costume jewelry, Mexican luchador masks, and a selection of unique buttons.
14 Kensington Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M2M 1R6, Canada
-
Old Town
One of the city’s longest-running rare bookstores occupies a nondescript brick building overflowing with more than 50,000 titles dating from the Renaissance to the present day. Family owned and operated since 1978, you will be astounded by the innumerable variety of books that cover every inch of this building ranging from art to fiction, travel to politics. Knowledgeable and friendly staff are ready to recommend fascinating reads. D & E Lake also specializes in selling fine art, coins, and modern and vintage maps and posters—all as impressive as the shop’s book collection.
239 King St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1J9, Canada
-
Church–Wellesley
Though Yonge Street is no longer a record store mecca, Dead Dog is an excellent indie shop in the nearby Gay Village. There are plenty of new vinyl records from hot up-and-coming indie bands, artists from a wide spectrum of genres, and box sets and reissues from legends like David Bowie, but regulars gravitate toward the constantly refreshing used bins to flip around for gems. There's also a good collection of DVDs, Blu-Rays, and band T-shirts, and this being the Village location, a good selection of queer artists as well.
568 Church St., Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 2E3, Canada
-
Leslieville
The Doll Factory carries 1950s rockabilly-style pinup looks from Toronto designers Damzels in this Dress, and other retro-inspired designers from across the continent. Chunky heels, heart-shaped sunglasses and printed sundresses are on the shelves, as well as high-waisted bikinis perfect for flattering those curves.
1122 Queen St. E, Toronto, Ontario, M4M 1K8, Canada
-
Queen West
Designed in British Columbia, these jeans and chinos are made for biking, climbing, or even the boardroom. The secret is their breathable, stretchy fabrics with reinforced stitching in the necessary "pain" points along with trendy cuts and colors.
491 Queen St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2B4, Canada
