[not so] Hidden gems

It’s easy to turn to big-name department and grocery stores when you go shopping, but if you look closely, Toronto offers many alternatives. These are the tiny niche boutiques that serve specific neighbourhoods—some are tucked away on side streets and a little harder to find while many are in plain view. If you’re a serious shopper, you’ll love these offbeat offerings— quirky and fun all with something unique to offer.

BAL ANCE FIT NESS

BALANCEFIT.COM52 ST CLAIR AVENUE EAST

This boutique gym is nestled in at Yonge and St. Clair with an unbelievable selection of services and personal training that caters to your every fitness need. The staff, which includes personal trainers, fitness instructors, registered dietitians and rehabilitation experts, are amazing and very experienced and knowledgeable. The yoga studio is probably the best facility in the city with great instructors.

We also like the fact that membership is limited so it isn’t crowded and there is never a wait for equipment.

BAR APE GEL A T O

BAR-APE.COM283 RUSHTON ROAD

If you are an ice cream lover, this is for you. Their bars are moulded by hand and come in a variety of stock flavours (oregano to green tea and so many others) plus they make limited runs of ‘Feature Bars’. The gelato soft-serve pairing changes weekly and there is always at least one vegan option. You can follow them on social media to get the flavour of the day.

Unfortunately, they are closed for the season, but don’t be upset, their bars can be found at some local shops (check their website for stockists).

CHOCOSOL T RADERS

CHOCOSOLTRADERS.COM131 ST. CLAIR AVENUE WEST

If you love chocolate and want to know how it’s made, you have to visit this very low key, unassuming store front on St. Clair. They call themselves “a business and social enterprise transforming cacao, the ‘food of the gods’ into bean-to-bar and stone-ground, artisanal dark chocolate.” We call them delicious. A must visit if you are a chocolate lover.

Visit the website to find out about their Taste & Tour, Tortilla Project and ChocoSoil.

DE LA MER FISH MARKET

DELAMER.CA728 ST. CLAIR AVENUE WEST

Bright, clean and nicely decorated…ok, maybe décor isn’t at the top of your list when looking for fish, but it helps! Crates on the ceiling, chalk board menus, a seafood mural drawn with magic marker and fish…lots of fresh fish!

They have a very knowledgeable staff who are ready to tell you everything you need to know about the organic, naturally raised, sustainably caught, and farmed fresh seafood and fish options.

L I LLIPUT HAT S

LILLIPUTHATS.COM462 COLLEGE STREET

This is a traditional hat shop. You can have something custom made to your liking right on the spot or entertain one of their vintage style hats. Lilliput Hats has been used by every Hollywood costume director and has catered to many stars from across the world. The staff are amazing, and the store is very unique.

Oh, and did we mention they designed a series of hats for Gord Downie…you may have seen them—widebrimmed hats with embellished feathers. Iconic.

OLIVE OIL EMPORIUM

OLIVEOILEMPORIUM.COM659 ST. CLAIR AVENUE WEST

Chipotle, blood orange or cilantro infused olive oils, blackberry-ginger or cinnamon-pear balsamic vinegars—these are some of the flavours offered by this specialty shop. The title says it all—Olive oils and everything related.—olives, olive patês, recipe books, olive oil skin care, soaps and (of course) dispensers.

If you’re curious, drop by and sample the different flavours at their tasting bar before you purchase.

PASSION FOR THE PAST

PASSIONFORTHEPASTANTIQUES.COM1646 QUEEN STREET WEST

If antiques are your thing, this place is packed to the ceiling. They specialize in china and glassware but also have a large selection of vintage jewelry. John, the owner, has been carefully curating pieces from Victorian era to mid-century modern. For some more offbeat finds, don’t forget to dig through the treasure trove in the basement!

It’s cluttered and quirky and John is always ready to offer some interesting conversation about every piece in the store.

T HE PAPER PL ACE

THEPAPERPLACE.CA887 QUEEN ST WEST

Are you obsessed with fine paper? This is Toronto’s best source for premium paper, stationery and anything paper related. They have a nice assortment of fun gifts for the paper enthusiast—we found a very cool pinhole camera which may end up under the tree this Christmas. Once you select your gift, you can choose a wrapping paper, ribbon and your all set.

As they say on their website, you’ll discover a selection of enchanting objects what you didn’t know you were looking for!

T SAA T EA SHOP

TSAATEASHOP.COM412 DANFORTH AVENUE, TORONTO

For the love of tea…you need to take a trip to the Danforth. TSAA offers over a hundred different organic loose leaf teas from around the world. Flavours range from pineapple sencha green to Irish breakfast black….and let’s not forget the bubble tea. The environment is quite nice as well.

They also have an online store where you can order and have your favourite teas delivered directly to your door

WONDERPENS

WONDERPENS.CA52 CLINTON STREET

It’s all about the art of handwriting. If you are looking for any kind of writing instrument with you have to visit this store. It has every king of pen imaginable and then some. Their focus is specialty fountain pens and inks but they also carry pencils and stationery supplies. You can also order via their website

If you want to improve your handwriting skills, sign up for one of their workshops which range from 'children's cursive writing' to calligraphy classes.

WORDS: DAVID GANHÃO & VINCE NIGRO

PHOTOS: NOAH GANHÃO