Toronto’s best general stores right now
Likely General
89 Roncesvalles Ave., 647-351-4590 The diverse stock at Roncesvalles’ haute trading post ranges from jewellery and art to books and plush toys, with an emphasis on handmade goods (like natural skin care and beauty products from Province Apothecary and ceramics by Helen Levi). Owner Brooke Manning, a musician and OCAD grad, has an eye for lighthearted pieces (huge pillows covered in winking eyes from People I’ve Loved; playful prints by artist Jamiyla Lowe) as well as understated accessories (bags by Baggu).
North Standard Trading Post
1662 Queen St. W., 647-348-7060 Pamela Hopson and Francesco Fiore’s three-year-old shop resembles a rustic cabin, with decorative antlers tacked to the walls and Hudson’s Bay blankets draped across the furniture. The inventory is equally rugged: a mix of straight-up camping gear (Grohmann hunting knives, starting at $78) and cool-but-comfy clothing, like beaded Minnetonka moccasins ($70–$75) and denim by Vancouver-based Standard Trade (for men) and J Brand (for women). Much of the stock is made in Canada, including necklaces by Sasha Eillenna.
Good Neighbour
935 Queen St. E., 647-350-0663 The grey-brick bungalow next door to Leslieville Pumps is chockablock with everything an east-end family could possibly covet, like handmade swaddle blankets, novelty glass tumblers and artisanal Portuguese soaps. Chic staples hidden among the gifts include Mackage coats and handbags.
Old Faithful Shop
886 Queen St. W., 647-352-9376 Inspired by the welcoming ambiance of his grandparents’ general store in Placentia, Newfoundland, Walter Manning’s Vancouver import aims to be more than just a cute shop: an indoor farmers’ market and seminars on container gardening are both in the works. The shelves are packed with a mishmash of home goods and gifts, including fancy apothecary products and cookbooks.
Northwood General Store
800 Bloor St. W., no phone Richard Pope, who also owns the Northwood café and cocktail bar, opened this Bloor West store in 2015. The shop specializes in gifts for every type of Torontonian, including the wilderness-loving cottager (camping-themed postcards, maple syrup–scented candles), the picky city girl (minimalist gold-faced watches, leather totes) and, of course, the coffee-and-booze snob (pour-over kettles, copper flasks).
Tuck Shop Trading Co.
1226 Yonge St., 416-859-3566 Tuck Shop is known for its Toronto neighbourhood-themed tuques as well as summer-appropriate exclusives for the urban glamper. You’ll find swimsuits printed with vintage Canadian maps (designed in partnership with the brand Bather Trunk Co.) and oversized cat eye glasses create in collaboration with the Fellow Earthlings label from Prince Edward Island.
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