Bloor / Yonge (Central Toronto) – TO’s shopping crossroads
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
Bloor / Yonge offers its shoppers two fabulous shopping strips and countless retail options. Bloor St. alone has all the major chains and designer brands anyone can desire. From Prada to the The Gap its all available on Bloor, I guess that you could refer to it as Toronto’s own “Magnificent Mile” well, kilometer. And, what more can I say about this portion of Yonge St. that has not already been said? There are literally dozens of boutiques for all tastes and needs. Overall this is a “must shop” district. Enjoy!
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Yonge Eglinton Centre
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
Pegged as one of Toronto’s mid-town destination spots, Yonge Eglinton Centre combines both a community feel alongside and urban edge. Making this 70 + store mall a great stop for those who don’t necessarily care to enter the city’s core for their shopping needs.
Yonge Eglinton Centre | 20 Eglinton Ave. W. | (416) 489-2300
Hours: Mon – Fri 10–9, Sat 9:30–6, Sun 12-5
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Commerce Court
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
With more than 60 retailers, restaurants and boutiques Commerce Court offers its customers convenience in the heart of downtown. Connected to the PATH underground network of stores and restaurants and direct access to King subway station. It is a great spot when you are on the go.
Commerce Court | 25 King St. W. | (416) 861-3475
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College Park
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
Located on the corner of Yonge and College this historic building has certainly held its ground. Now, from a retail stand point I can say that College Park has within it, one the best Winner’s in Toronto. With a hand full of some truly exciting stores and boutique businesses, I must say that a shopping complex this may not be. But, it is one of the most beautiful buildings and locations in our great city.
College Park | 444 Yonge St. | (416) 597-1221
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BCE Place
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
This breathtaking building is something to experience for yourself. The architectural marvel known as the BCE place has seamlessly merged historic magnificence with vanguard modernism and serves as an ideal tourist site for those seeking a bit of “eye candy”. Although I wouldn’t exactly peg the centre as a shopping hub, it does definitely have a charm that is not easily over looked.
The BCE Place | 161-181 Bay St. | (416) 777-6480
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The Atrium on Bay
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
Although this office / retail / event space isn’t exactly over-run with retailers. There are certainly a bounty of conveniences available to the general public within its walls. Located on the corner of Bay St. and Dundas St. W. (directly across from the TEC). This centre should be considered as an extension of one Canada’s largest retail havens and shopping districts.
The Atrium on Bay | 595 Bay. St. | (416) 595-5808
20 Dundas St. W | (416) 595-1164
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Yonge and Eglington – Toronto’s Midtown’s shopping refuge
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
Affectionately referred to as “Yonge and Eg” (or “Young and Eligible” alluding to its “Thirtysomething” demographic inhabitants). This Northern portion of Toronto’s infamous Yonge strip is home to some amazing designer boutiques, destination shops and restaurants. Its Midtown environment lends itself to a variety of big chain retailers as well as some great specialty shops. Littered with with quaint cafes, pocket sized pooches and the ultra fashionable, this is definitely a part of town like no other (well maybe a little bit like Yorkville but, I’m not judging).
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A New Must “Shop” Boutique on Queen West
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
Are You A Hunter or Gatherer?
When my dear friend (and sometime domino adversary) Daniela Bosco told me that she was finally committed to opening her own store, I felt an air of distinction waft over our city’s retail landscape.
Daniela is a 10-year industry veteran and self-proclaimed “style junkie.” She has maneuvered throughout the vast spectrum of our city’s fashion environment as a wardrobe stylist, line agent, retail manager and all round fierce individual. It was no mystery why she felt compelled to explore the adventurous next step of becoming an entrepreneur and visionary.
Ladies and gentlemen, allow let me introduce to one and all, Toronto’s own “Private Hunting Ground”– Chasse Gardée.
Finally a boutique for those who have a very clear idea of their own personal sense of style. Chasse Gardée is found in the Queen St. West & Dovercourt area, one of Toronto’s up-and-coming trendy neighbourhoods.
This boutique’s aesthetic could be described as a textural backdrop with a rustic sensibility. The inviting and unpretentious setting blends both modern and minimal sensibilities with classic poise. Daniela explained to me that it was important for her that the store’s interior complimented the spirit of its Queen St. West location.
I would have to agree that its atmosphere certainly reflects the creative verve of the area, while perfectly showcasing Daniela’s superb eye for merchandise. You will be amazed at the selection of shoes, handbags and accessories.
Chasse Gardée hosts such hard-to-come-by labels as Slow and Steady Wins the Race, Finsk and Grey Ant, to just name a few. As well, be on the lookout for the arrival of Swedish Hasbeens, Belstaff, Tiger of Sweden, Tashkent by Cheyanne among others.
This is definitely the boutique for those who seek out unique designer brands typically exclusive to a Yorkville-esque locale but now conveniently available on trendy Queen St. West. Currently Chasse Gardée only carries lines for women, but Daneila has assured me that her “spring/summer” collection will also have lines for Toronto’s cutting-edge men. It can’t be ALL about the ladies, right? 
A “must shop” spot when it comes to Toronto shopping!
Chasse Gardée | 1084 Queen St. W. | 416-901-9613
Hours: Mon–Fri 11–7, Sat 11–6, Sun (Closed) – Winter hours
Mon–Wed 11–7, Fri–Sat 11–8, Sun 12–6 – Summer Hours (After March)
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Shopping Toronto Yonge Street
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
Undoubtedly, Toronto’s most notorious and historic shopping strip has got to be Yonge St. Once named the world’s longest street by Guinness World Records, it is home to hundreds of national and international retailers, as well as a slew of “mom and pop shops” and boutique businesses. It is the city’s main artery and joins our suburbanite community dwellers to our townie scenester inhabitants. All that being said, how is the actual shopping experience on this world famous boulevard? Well, I would say that the answer to that lies in yet another question: what it is that you are looking for exactly?
Now, for the main street shopper–you know, the trend-savvy type of consumer who may be looking for what’s most current and seasonal. Basically, I’m referring to those with a more youthful approach to style. Allow me to recommend your journey start at Queen St. West. Besides the opportunity of seeking retail refuge in either The Hudson Bay Company or the Toronto Eaton Centre, if those better suit your tastes, a mixed bag of merchants awaits your visit. Everything from the designer denim of the Style Exchange, the bohemian basics of Urban Outfitters, the bling bang of the Jewelry Exchange and even the sneaker seekers’ haven of Athletes World. All can be found before you hit Dundas St. West.
Continuing north, the stretch from Dundas St. to College St. houses some of the more recognizable retailers, but is also occupied by some smaller shops that carry name brand merchandise, usually at a better price than their larger competitors. And it’s also a great area to find highly affordable footwear.
College St., in my opinion, has the second best Winners in the city’s core. That is, if you are willing to hunt through mounds of product. The trend of more independent store fronts continues right up to Bloor St. West. And, with a keen shopping eye, you can outfit your entire wardrobe for less. The boutiques are tiny and scattered but have a lot of great pieces hidden within them for recreating those desired looks. You may find yourself popping in and out of store after store, but the energy spent on your cardio regimen will be saved on your chequing account balance. I’d call that a fair trade! Everything from outerwear, formal wear, club attire, business casual to just your run-of-the-mill lounge basics–all can be found within the confines of these city blocks. And we haven’t even broken a sweat yet!
The shopping experience further north, from Bloor St. West to roughly St. Clair Ave. West, thins out as worthwhile shops become fewer and farther between. However, there are some great specialty shops found in the area and certainly honourable mentions such as Want Boutique, which carries beautiful women’s wear. The bulk of the shopping does not really pick back up again until Eglington Ave. West. But what a pick-up it is! Yonge St. once again becomes a virtual retail free-for-all and can appease the needs of the fashionista to the fashionably challenged. An array of fantastic boutiques decorate this strip. There is something for all age groups and styles, from the tweeny clientele of Aritzia to the more sophisticated Mendocino shopper; from the Puma enthusiast to the Sporting Life advocate. You can all find a home here. And, once again, there are many amazing smaller boutiques that house exciting and current lines.
Overall, this is my favourite pocket of Yonge St. to go shopping in. It is all here for the fashion forward thinker who does not mind a little adventure out of the city’s centre. It is a bit pricier in this end of town, but that’s a small sacrifice in the name of looking great. Did that come across as cocky? Well, you know what I’m saying. From shoes to chapeau, for man, woman or child, look no further. The only true bummer is that, after you reach approximately Lawrence Ave. West, the retail excursion seems to come to a grinding halt, as the street is dominated by business, restaurant and residential oriented store fronts. A necessary evil, I guess.
So, once again I ask you: what is it that you are looking for exactly? Yonge St. is forever growing with new stores and retail possibilities. It is an unavoidable and undeniable staple of the Toronto shopping experience. And with its wide variety of shops, it can be whatever you want it to be. Happy shopping!
