Monocle opens a shop and a bureau in Little Italy
Monocle, the magazine-turned-retail operation founded in 2007 by writer and editor Tyler Brûlé, opened a shop at 776 College Street yesterday, adding Toronto to a small but distinguished list of cities that includes London, New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Monocle’s stocklist is decidedly eclectic: it carries clothing brands like Orlebar Brown, Sunspel and its own collaborations with Porter and Comme des Garçons alongside boutique furniture, ceramic wine cups and digital radios–sort of a kitsch chic, Drake General Store-ish approach to retail. Monocle hasn’t abandoned its roots in media, though: the retail side will occupy only a scant 238 square feet while a broadcast studio and office dedicated to its magazine and design agency, Winkreative, will fill the rest of the 1,240-square-foot space.
This is how storefronts should look like in Toronto.
I thought Toronto was far, far beneath the high standards of Mr. Brule?
Considering his Canadian nativity (and the fact that the magazine does have a Toronto “bureau”) I suppose this was inevitable. I’m just surprised they didn’t go with Vancouver or Montreal, as they tend to score more highly in their annual city livability index.
Fantastic news! Can’t wait to visit! Monocle is one of the best reads on the market today.
It’s actually in College Promenade not Little Italy.
Seriously Chris? I live here & everyone knows the area as little Italy. A few (very nice) flower planters with College Promenade written on them doesn’t change the name. 99% of Toronto residents would consider College St., West of Ossigton Little Italy.
The last time I checked Tyler Brûlé had no love for this city.