(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 Dressbridal 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 newclothing 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.
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.
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.
<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.
<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.
<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.
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.
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.
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>.
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.
<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.