Eaton Centre is a must visit place in Toronto. Even if you have no desire to shop, make sure to at least look around this six million square foot glass-roofed arcade. Located between Dundas and Queen on Yonge Street, it is as exquisite as it is vast. With five levels, over 320 stores and restaurants, you will need more than a day to make your way through this shopping wonderland. The center is conveniently sandwiched between two subway stations and is steps away from many of Toronto's hottest attractions.
At 1.6 million square feet (148,645 square metres), Yorkdale Shopping Centre is one among the largest shopping centers in Canada. Shopaholics will be thrilled to find more than 250 of Toronto's most fashionable stores at their disposal to hunt for some of the best apparel and accessories. Its year round customer service programs include gift wrapping, free strollers and wheelchairs, faxing service, valet parking and car cleaning, external security patrols and a lost and found service.
The Fairview Mall, in the North York area of Toronto, truly lives up to the one-stop shop tag most shopping centers are given. It is sprawled over a grand area of 80,000 square meters (861,113 square feet). Apart from the usual designer stores like Aldo, Calvin Klein, HMV and Sephora, it houses stores selling electronic equipment, gifting items and firms offering services such as a dentist's office. Shop for jewelry at Swarovski or Glitz Jewellery, then stop for a quick snack at Taco Bell or Mac's Sushi. Visitors can also watch a movie at the cinema within the premises. So for those magical bags of goodies, give those credit cards a rub at the Fairview Mall.
The Hudson's Bay Queen Street is a collection of buildings built between 1896 and 1969. The Romanesque Revival building is now a shopping complex and consists of a number of retail, electronic and other stores as well as a food court. Popular brands at the center include Burberry, Foodwares, Olsen, Hugo Boss and Pandora among many others. All the stores have attractive displays, be sure that you will not go back with your hands or stomach empty.
Go hunting for vintage treasures at Mrs. Huizenga antique shop located at the end of Roncesvalles Avenue. This spacious shop is equipped with all that you need to fill your life and home with unique, one-of-a-kind home decor items and collectibles, and on a regular day, you will see a range of items tumbling out of this earthy treasure trove. From a vintage chaise that belongs to another era, and an ornately embroidered carpet, to retro salt and pepper shakers, trinkets, dolls, and heavily bound hardcover books, find an incredible variety to choose from. Mrs. Huizenga also sells beautiful mid-century furniture and original upholstery items.
Sonic Boom serves as a second home to music-lovers of all kinds, particularly to vinyl aficionados as it has the best record selection in the city. After moving their vinyl section from the back of the store to the basement and simultaneously creating a stage for free all-ages shows, it jumped to the forefront of must-visit stores for any indie music fan looking for a rare find or a great recommendation. The staff is helpful and friendly, which is a nice change from the pretentious attitude that is sometimes displayed at other record stores in the city. Open late every day, swing by to sell your used vinyl, CDs, DVDs, videogames, and even videotapes.
Eclectisaurus is a retail store that buys and sells antique and vintage furnishings. You can also find art glass, clothing, accessories, jewelry, textiles, books, ephemera, ceramics, kitchenware, appliances, vintage technology and miscellaneous goods. Eclectisaurus has been in operation since 1998. Do check it out when in the city.
Go hunting for vintage treasures at Mrs. Huizenga antique shop located at the end of Roncesvalles Avenue. This spacious shop is equipped with all that you need to fill your life and home with unique, one-of-a-kind home decor items and collectibles, and on a regular day, you will see a range of items tumbling out of this earthy treasure trove. From a vintage chaise that belongs to another era, and an ornately embroidered carpet, to retro salt and pepper shakers, trinkets, dolls, and heavily bound hardcover books, find an incredible variety to choose from. Mrs. Huizenga also sells beautiful mid-century furniture and original upholstery items.
On the outskirts of Yorkville is Avenue Road running North from Bloor Street and across the road from the Royal Ontario Museum. Follow this road and you'll be accosted with high end clothing, accessories, cars and groceries. However, once you reach the crescent shaped area where Avenue meets Davenport, visitors will find the city's collection of art galleries and flower shops with their roses, daisies and lilies overflowing onto the sidewalk. In fact, anything considered classically beautiful can be found along this area, Haute Couturiers including Inez Di Santo Bridal, and Paperbag Princess' vintage designs can be found next to Whole Foods, and Rolls Royce.
Toronto Antiques on King is an age-old antique store is a mecca of the finest of antiquities and other collectibles. The showcased collection includes Moorcroft pottery, Doulton art, glass and antique jewelery just to name a few. For the curious visitors, the clients brief them with the history and other factual details as they browse through each antique. Connoisseurs vouch for the collection of this store. Overall, this place is a feast to the eyes of art lovers and antique collectors.
Sonic Boom serves as a second home to music-lovers of all kinds, particularly to vinyl aficionados as it has the best record selection in the city. After moving their vinyl section from the back of the store to the basement and simultaneously creating a stage for free all-ages shows, it jumped to the forefront of must-visit stores for any indie music fan looking for a rare find or a great recommendation. The staff is helpful and friendly, which is a nice change from the pretentious attitude that is sometimes displayed at other record stores in the city. Open late every day, swing by to sell your used vinyl, CDs, DVDs, videogames, and even videotapes.