The 10 biggest Toronto store openings of 2014
The 10 biggest Toronto store openings of 2014
By Jean Grant | December 23, 2014
By Jean Grant | 12/23/2014
(Images: Jenna Marie Wakani, Kayla Rocca, George Pimentel, Michelle Nunes, Erin Simkin)
This year was a big one for Toronto’s shopping scene. Major international players—like Japanese cult-favourite Muji and Say Yes to the Dress bridal store Kleinfeld — made their marks on the city, setting the stage for even bigger, flashier retailers to come. Meanwhile, homegrown businesses like Holt Renfrew and Frank and Oak upped the menswear game with new guys-only stores, and a pair of women’s boutiques became go-to spots for hard-to-find labels and breezy west-coast designs. And, of course, Drake himself debuted a new clothing store on Dundas West, helping fans of The 6 close out the year on an extra-sweet note. Here, the 10 biggest store openings of 2014.
302974 With its stock of chic local labels and quirky curios, <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/style/toronto-stores/2014/10/08/store-guide-good-neighbour/" target="_blank"><strong>Good Neighbour</strong></a> in Leslieville would fit right in on Queen West. (There's even a miniature Drake General Store inside.) Next up for the neighbourhood: a thousand snack bars. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-03-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-03.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/biggest-store-openings-2014/slide/best-toronto-stores-2014-03/ best-toronto-stores-2014-03 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
302973 Online menswear retailer <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/style/toronto-stores/2014/11/19/store-guide-frank-oak/" target="_blank"><strong>Frank and Oak</strong> debuted its Toronto flagship.</a> With its great selection of affordable, on-trend pieces (and on-site barber shop and café), the Queen West concept shop could be the be-all-end-all store for plenty of west-end guys. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-02-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-02.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/biggest-store-openings-2014/slide/best-toronto-stores-2014-02/ best-toronto-stores-2014-02 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
302981 <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/style/toronto-stores/2014/02/21/store-guide-suitsupply-yorkville/" target="_blank"><strong>Suitsupply</strong></a> was another major international label that touched down in Toronto this year. Though it landed in a Yorkville mansion, the Dutch brand's peppy, colourful menswear is surprisingly affordable for the neighbourhood—made-to-measure suits start at $799. (Image: Michelle Nunes) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-10-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-10.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/biggest-store-openings-2014/slide/best-toronto-stores-2014-10/ best-toronto-stores-2014-10 0 0
(Image: Michelle Nunes)
302972 <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/style/toronto-stores/2014/11/24/store-guide-elte-market/" target="_blank"><strong>Elte Market</strong></a><strong>,</strong> the high-end furniture store's trendier, slightly more affordable offshoot, is a one-stop-shop for cool teak coffee tables, Moroccan rugs and organic cotton sheet sets. The best part? Furniture on the floor is always in stock, so shoppers never have to wait six weeks for a sofa to arrive. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-01-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-01.jpg 1024 683 [] https://torontolife.com/style/biggest-store-openings-2014/slide/best-toronto-stores-2014-01/ best-toronto-stores-2014-01 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
302975 <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/style/toronto-stores/2014/10/02/store-guide-holt-renfrew-men-luxe-retailers-new-guys-boutique/" target="_blank"><strong>Holt Renfrew Men</strong></a>, the posh department store's first standalone menswear shop, sets a new standard for guys-only luxury in Toronto. The 16,500-square-foot space stocks a great mix of elegant basics and edgier designer pieces. It also offers ultra-luxe amenities, like an around-the-clock valet service and a luxuriously appointed personal shopping suite. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-04-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/biggest-store-openings-2014/slide/best-toronto-stores-2014-04/ best-toronto-stores-2014-04 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
302980 Vancouver-based clothing brand <strong>Oak and Fort</strong> opened four Toronto locations this year (Queen West, Yorkdale, Shops at Don Mills and Square One). With its cool minimalist style, well-priced basics and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=699789836710918" target="_blank"><strong>celebrity fan base,</strong></a> it's no surprise that the shop has become a go-to for stylish Toronto women. (Image: Erin Simkin) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-09-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/biggest-store-openings-2014/slide/best-toronto-stores-2014-09/ best-toronto-stores-2014-09 0 0
(Image: Erin Simkin)
303375 Toronto's homegrown hero has permanently colonized one of the city's trendiest strips. <strong>Drake</strong>'s <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/style/toronto-stores/2014/12/18/drakes-ovo-store-stay-dundas-west/" target="_blank">new <strong>OVO</strong> store</a> on Dundas West sells the rapper's full line of “6” toques and owl-themed merchandise, and a new winter collection will be hitting shelves soon. Plus, chance encounters with the rapper himself aren't entirely implausible. (Image: Kayla Rocca) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/end-of-year-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/end-of-year.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/end-of-year.jpg 1000 666 {"aperture":5.6,"camera":"Canon EOS 6D","created_timestamp":1418835070,"focal_length":"35","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.005"} https://torontolife.com/style/biggest-store-openings-2014/slide/end-of-year/ end-of-year 0 0
(Image: Kayla Rocca)
302978 Thanks to <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/style/toronto-stores/2014/05/15/store-guide-kleinfeld-bridal/" target="_blank"><strong>Kleinfeld'</strong>s massive new Canadian home</a> at <strong>The Bay</strong> on Queen, betrothed Torontonians no longer have to trek to New York City to live out their <em>Say Yes to the Dress</em> dreams. The impressive selection of gowns includes over 600 styles from designers like <strong>Carolina Herrera</strong> and <strong>Oscar de la Renta</strong>. (Image: George Pimentel) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-07-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-07.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/biggest-store-openings-2014/slide/best-toronto-stores-2014-07/ best-toronto-stores-2014-07 0 0
(Image: George Pimentel)
302977 When <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/style/toronto-stores/2014/06/03/store-guide-parloque/" target="_blank"><strong>Parloque </strong>opened on Queen West</a> earlier this year, it filled a void for Toronto fashion plates. The shop stocks a treasure trove of hip international brands, many of which were previously impossible to find in the city. Pop-ups and parties in the chic space have cemented the store in the Queen West community. (Image: Kayla Rocca) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-06-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-06.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/biggest-store-openings-2014/slide/best-toronto-stores-2014-06/ best-toronto-stores-2014-06 0 0
(Image: Kayla Rocca)
302979 <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/style/toronto-stores/2014/12/02/store-guide-muji/" target="_blank"><strong> Muji</strong>'s Toronto arrival </a>was probably the most buzzed-about store opening of the year, and it's easy to see why. With a cult following wherever it lands, the store's no-brand philosophy and perfectly minimalist products (ultra-efficient storage units, intuitive travel items) have universal appeal. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-08-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-toronto-stores-2014-08.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/biggest-store-openings-2014/slide/best-toronto-stores-2014-08/ best-toronto-stores-2014-08 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)