Hyper-Local Showcase: Leslieville
In this post we highlight some shops in Leslieville. More neighbourhoods will be covered in the coming weeks. A big thanks to our contributing editor Rachel Young from Camaraderie for putting this together.
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What started as a small village in the 1850s still has the small-town feeling with unique shops, restaurants, and cafes dotting the map. This up-and-coming neighbourhood, also home to the Film District, is packed with some great shops listed on Shopcastr, and here are some of our most active shops:
Nathalie-Roze & Co is the most obvious Leslievillain shop – and therefore the top of this list – if not for the hand-printed bibs and tea towel sets boasting the Leslieville name. Not only can you find stylized clothing and accessories, some upcycled from other materials, but they also hold a variety of crafty workshops, clothing swaps, and crafternoon tea, a crafty/fashion market and charity tea party, to entice folks into the store. It is located on Queen near Pape.
“Urban. Natural. Simple.” is their slogan, and they're not kidding. Baby on the Hip, located on Queen near Heward Ave, boasts one of the best collections of eco-friendly baby products without sacrificing style, efficiency, and practicality. Toys, clothing, bedding, car seats, you name it, they've got it or can find it. This all-inclusive baby shop also occasionally hosts workshops, including past topics such as Cloth Diapering and Infant CPR.
Located on Queen near Carlaw, Machine age Modern has an impressive collection of modern vintage furniture, lighting, and accessories in teak, leather, acrylic, chrome, and glass. One trip through the store will show folding telephones, Italian chandeliers, teak bedroom sets, glass display cabinets, and even leather sofa beds. Notable about this store is how items are paired with other items that are not necessarily from the same time or even same décor, yet seeing them together shows how some vintage pieces together can be easy on the eyes.
Anglophiles and British Expats rejoice at the Queen and Broadview shop Empire The Collection. Treats and delectables imported from England such as candies, teas, crisps, cookies, and chocolates fill the shelves and tables, and include well known brands and goodies like Hobnobs, Marks & Spencer, Guiness, and Fox's.
Studio WE! actually has two locations in the area, both on Queen, one for womenswear at Curzon and the other a few blocks east for menswear at Hastings. Both locations are fully stocked with elegant, hip, classic, and modern pieces for clothing, shoes, and accessories.
It's only been open for half a year, but Atomic Toybot has made a splash in the east end. Nestled on Queen at Carlaw, it is self-defined as part toy store, part art gallery, part bookstore, and customers can find just about anything: clothing to coasters, belt buckles to books, toys to tea cups, with art, figurines and posters in between. They also do DIY artist jams and have some gallery space.
Every girlie needs a rock n roll retail heaven, and in Leslieville, that's Damzels, located on Queen near Brooklyn. The store boasts an impressive collection of dresses, pin up inspired clothing, accessories, and even some vintage footwear. Vintage doesn't stop at pin up, though; a few other classic items scattered throughout the store include Golden Girls posters and Burt Reynolds coasters.
The space on Queen at Caroline Ave is a communal retail space featuring the work of artists, designers and artisans. Arts Market is a shop, a gallery, and an event space for workshops. A trip to Leslieville wouldn't be complete without stopping in to Arts Market to see how camaraderie reinforces the sense of community.
That's not all there is to Leslieville. Other great Shopcastr shops in the area are:
Aminda's Triangle – handmade one of a kind jewelry and other haberdasheries
Bagstar – handmade bags and accessories
Beaufort Decor – furnishings and decor
Clay and Katie – children's books and accessories
Hautezinger – fun t-shirts and apparel
Here and Now – men's and women's clothing
Lil' Bean n' Green – great gift ideas
Little Peeps – children's toys and accessories
macFABhome – custom upholstery and distinctive finds
macFAB Fabrics – one of a kind fabric shopping experience
Michele Guevera – crochet pieces to wear
Lazooleeta – jewelry and accessories
OneTen Instruments – instruments made in Canada
O'Darlin – handmade accessories
Pied-a-terre – furniture, antiques, and decor
Refluff – upcycled textiles
Telegramme Prints and Custom framing – prints and custom framing
The Bone House – dog treats and accessories
Timmie Doggie Outfitters – dog boutique
Zenporium – furnishings and accessories
What neighbourhood would you like us to feature? When we get a minimum number of shops listed on Shopcastr from a particular neighbourhood, we'll showcase a great collection of shops from it.
