Toronto Shopping – Top 10 Hidden Gems

October 15, 2008 by Logan Steele

This my top 10 Hidden shopping Gems for 2008 in Toronto. We’ll do this like the Letterman show…

10. Flash Back – 33 Kensington Ave. ( in Kensington Market) 416-598-2981. A treasure chest of outstanding vintage finds. An amazing selection of leather goods, denim and all things retro and one of a kind. A must stop for the adventurous at heart. Catering to both men and women.

9. Risque – 404 Bloor St. W. ( at Brunswick Ave.) 416-960-3325. This edgy boutique, in the heart of the Annex, offers both higher end and relatively inexpensive alternatives for the stylishly oriented woman. Also carrying fabulous shoes and accessories, it is a great place to pop into when you need to put together something fierce in a hurry.

8. Model Citizen – 279 Augusta Ave. ( in Kensington Market) 416-703-7625. Founded by owners Julian Finkel and Georgia Groom, this well kept secret specializes in locally designed, cutting edge, fashion lines. For both men and women, Model Citizen has long been a calling card for the fashion forward of the city .

7. Delphic – 706 Queen St. W. ( at Manning Ave.) 416-603-3334. Established 11 years ago by owners Matt Robinson and Lena Kim. This Queen Street beacon has long been on the cusp of all things cool and upcoming in fashion trend. This unisex boutique harbours high-end street wear for both the young and youthful minded.

6. Jonathan and Olivia – 49 Ossington Ave. ( at Queen St. W.) 416-849-5956, jonathanandolivia.com. Originally located in Main St. in Vancouver BC. in 2005. Founder Jackie O’Brien in 2008 has entered the Toronto retail market bringing to the city an exciting new boutique for both men and women. This modest store houses some of the most innovative brands from all over the globe.

5. Lileo – 55 Mill St. ( in the Historic Distillery District) 416-413-1410, lileo.ca. Founded by the man responsible for Big Star’s success and one half of the visionary team that brought lululemon to eastern Canada, Syd Beder. Alongside partner Alexandra Bennett, brings you Lileo. A gorgeous destination hot spot stocked to the rafters with exciting and upcoming lines. A must for celebrity fashion stockers.

4. Jacflash – 1036 Queen St. W. ( between Ossington Ave and Dovercourt Rd.) 416-516-8766, jacflash.net . When co-founders, father and daughter team, Geoffrey and Jaclyn Genovese decided to open up an edgy unisex boutique in the heart of Toronto’s fastest growing districts on September of 2007. I don’t even think they would have imagined the response they would receive by the city’s “fashion forward” community. Jacflash carries a wide selection of essential “must haves” for a wide age bracket.

3. Corbo Boutique – 119 Yorkville Ave. ( at Hazelton Lane) 416-928-9898. A perfect example of feminine elegance minus your typical Yorkville Euro obsession. This boutique houses some of the most forefront labels the global market has to offer. Bare in mind you may drop a pretty penny in this 1500 sq. ft. space but, the attention you’ll receive upon exit, priceless.

2. Nomad – 431 Richmond St W. ( at Spadina Ave.) 416-682-1107, nomadshop.net. Sister store to both Ransom and Goodfoot (two definite honorable mentions), Nomad has certainly held its own weight and has proven itself to be a force in itself. This store offers some of the rarest denim and clothing brands for the progressive male. A bit off the beaten path but, certainly worth the deviation.

1. Sydney’s – 795 Queen St. W. ( at Manning Ave.) 416-603-3369 sydneystoronto.com. What can I say, this is currently my favorite Men’s store in the city. Owner Syndey Maname has brought a heightened level to tailoring and over all class to Toronto Men’s fashion. Originally this petite boutique carried both men’s and women’s lines but, as it faded out the female presence in the store, it seemed to have really homed in on its vision of the male silhouette. If you like to look good, for either business or pleasure, I recommend you run on over and see what they have to offer.

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