Toronto’s Top 10 Shoe Stores
December 22, 2008 by Logan Steele
10. Sydney’s – I know, I know, this store barely carries any shoes. But, men take notice. This little boutique may not have a huge shoe selection, but what they do carry is unbelievable. From Rokin, F-Troupe to Opening Ceremony, Sydney’s has taken the time to make sure every shoe that hits its floor is worthy of its clientele. When it’s time to complete that outfit, fellows, consider yourself informed.
- 795 Queen St. W. (at Manning Ave.)
- 416-603-3369
- Hours: Mon. – Wed. 12 – 7, Thurs. – Fri. 12 – 8, Sat. 12 – 7, Sun. 12 – 6
9. Get Outside – This spot is seen by many in the city’s core as the go-to, all-purpose shoe store. This veteran retailer literally has something for every taste. Clark’s, Vans, Tretorn, Hunter, Ked’s… It’s all here and at some of the best prices in town. The staff are very well informed and will help you suit up for any occasion. The store’s doors seem to never close; it feels like it’s always there when you need it. Pay them a visit.
- 437 Queen St. W.
- 416-593-559
8. Balisi – This is great example of a store that has achieved both success and recognition, yet has not stopped providing its customers with what gained it popularity in the first place: just some really cool ass merchandise, and great shoes for both men and women. The price points are decent, nothing too outrageous. It is about what you’d expect to pay. I recommend a drop in.
- 668 College St.
- 416-532-1074
- Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 10 – 9, Fri. – Sat. 10 – 10, Sun. 11 – 7
- 711 Queen St. W.
- 416-203-2388
- Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 11 – 9, Fri. – Sat. 10 – 9, Sun. 11 – 7
7. Heelboy- I fell in love with this little store about four years ago. Besides their having an amazing buying eye and great women’s shoes and accessories, what impressed me most about Heelboy was that, even though their men’s section is considerably smaller than the women’s, I still found the selection varied and concise. At the time, I didn’t think there was a single pair of shoes in stock that I would not have worn. Great store with a lot of great product.
- 682 Queen St. W. (at Euclid Ave.)
- 416-362-4335
- Hours: Mon. – Wed. 10 – 8, Thurs. – Fri. 10 – 9, Sat. 10 – 7, Sun. 12 – 6
6. Speechio – A tiny store with some big names. This thousand foot space harbours some of the most exciting and edge driven labels for a woman’s wardrobe. An amazing and daring buying eye has propelled this boutique into the spotlight; it definitely deserves a visit. Always very cool to see what they have in store. By the way: check out a label there by the name of Steven. I think you might like it.
- 1240 Bay St. ( at Cumberland)
- 416-961-7989
- Hours: Mon. – Wed. 10:30 – 6:30, Thurs. – Fri. 10:30 – 8, Sat. 10 – 6, Sun. 12 – 6
5. Brown’s / B2 – Now, depending on which of the many city-wide locations you go to, you can see everything from Puma and Lacoste to Prada and Dolce & Gabbana. And this is the exact reason they make my Top 10 List. Brown’s seems to always be re-inventing itself, choosing each store’s stock based on the store’s location. For example: the Queen West store may not carry all the high-end labels seen at its Hazelton Lanes counterpart; its product line is a lot edgier and better suited to its urban environment. However, just because a particular shoe is not at your location of choice does not mean they won’t have it shipped over. An amazing franchise that never disappoints.
www.brownsshoes.com – For a location near you.
4. David’s – This is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, shoe stores in the city. For over 55 years David’s has provided Torontonians with undeniable foot fashion. And its present-day line-up is no exception–David’s is still at the top of its game. You can find all the top designers on its sale floor: Christian Louis Batton, Paul Smith and Chie Mihara, among others. The sales staff aren’t always the most accommadating, but their product demands attention nevertheless. This is the store for those who have a little more to spend.
- 66 Bloor St W
- 920-1000
- Hours: Mon. – Wed. 9:30 – 7, Thurs. – Fri. 9:30 – 8, Sat. 9:30 – 7, Sun. 12 -6
3. Holt Renfrew – What can I say, it’s Holt Renfrew! Every possible designer label you can think of–plus some you may not have known existed. Its all here. Now, I know you’re thinking “this is not exactly within everyone’s price bracket,” and you’re completely correct. However, no one can deny how amazingly well-stocked they always seem to be. This is where you go to buy footwear for a real special occasion. The kind of occasion where you want to leave a lasting impression. And, for those of you lucky enough (financially speaking) to be able to shop there at will, more power to you. But everyone should find themselves inside at least once or twice in their lifetime. Live a little!
- Bloor St.
- 50 Bloor St. W.
- 416-922-2333
- Hours: Mon. – Wed. 10 – 6, Thurs. – Fri. 10 – 8, Sat. 10 – 7, Sun. 12 – 6
2. Goodfoot – This is without a doubt a store for the collectors. Those of you out there who are not merely satisfied with the run-of-the-mill selection available to the average “Joe Shmoe” buyer. The die hard sneaker-head that houses their shoes in their original box and returns them to said place after each and every wear. The ones whose heart-rates quicken at the words “dead stock” and won’t rest until their shoes of choice are laced tightly to their feet. This is the spot for you. Get on the Goodfoot.
- 431 Richmond St. W. (Location 1)
- 416-364-0734
- Hours: Mon. -Sat. 11-7, Sun. 12 – 6
- 1200 Bay St (Location 2)
- (647) 430-58
- Hours: Mon. -Sat. 11 -7, Sun./Hol. 12 -6
1. C Squared – Whether your tastes are boots, pumps, sneakers or all things in between, this is the place with it all. Very cool and fashion-forward selection, their shoe inventory seems almost endless, for both men and women. It is usually rare to find a spot that both sexes can find themselves lost in and this is the reason C Squared appears at the top of my list.
- 365 Queen St. W. (at Peter St.)
- 416-595-5606
- Hours: Mon. – Wed. 10 – 8, Thurs. – Fri. 10 – 9, Sat. 10 – 8, Sun. 10 – 7
Honourable Mentions
This city has such a vast variety of diverse retailers that I didn’t feel it was fair to merely name ten of them. So here are ten other great stores that carry some amazing shoes that I think you should also check out:
Stolen Riches
- 734 Queen St. W. ( at Niagra St.)
- 647-428-7497
- Hours: Mon. – Sat. 11 – 7, Sun. 12 – 6
Next Door
- 433 Queen St. W. (at Spadina)
- 416-593-6267
- Hours: Mon. – Wed. 11 – 7, Thurs. – Fri. 11 – 8, Sat. 11 – 7, Sun. 12 – 6
Lavish & Squalor
- 253 Queen St. W.
- 416-599-4779
- Hours: Mon. – Fri. 11:30 – 8:30, Sat. 11 – 8:30, Sun. 11 – 8
Livestock
- G1 – 116 Spadina Ave.
- 416-360-5483
- Hours: Mon. – Sat. 11 – 8, Sun. 12 – 6
Got Style
- 489 King St. W. (at Brant St.)
- 416-260-9696
- Hours: Mon. -Wed. 11 – 7, Thurs. – Fri. 11 – 9, Sat. 11 – 7, Sun. 12 – 5
Plum Shoes
- 29 Bellair St., Suite 107
- 416-964-6404
Capsule
- 69 Yorkville Ave. #104
- 416.926.1845
TNT
- 87 Avenue Rd., Hazelton Lanes
- 416-975-1810
- Hours: Mon. -Wed. 10-6, Thurs. 10 – 7, Fri. – Sat. 10 – 6, Sun. 12 – 5
TNT Blu
- 87 Avenue Rd., Hazelton Lanes
- 416-972-1593
- Hours: Mon. – Wed. 10 – 6, Thurs. 10 – 7, Fri. -Sa t. 10 – 6, Sun. 12 – 5
Zola Shoes
- 1726 Avenue Rd.
- 416-783-8688
- Hours: Mon. – Wed. 10 – 6, Thurs. 10 – 8, Fri. – Sat. 10 – 6, Sun. 12 – 5
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