Year in Review: 45 fascinating Toronto shopping destinations that launched in 2013

2013 was a boom year for Toronto’s retail scene. Malls and shopping strips welcomed a raft of new international retailers, from chic brands like Mulberry and Miu Miu to American superstore Target. Meanwhile, dozens of homegrown boutiques popped up along the city’s trendiest streets, and online options proliferated, including new Canadian sites from Joe Fresh and Zara. Hell, the Hell’s Angels even opened a store. Here, the 45 shopping destinations we thought were interesting enough to cover in 2013.

Footwear

• Young and Tae, a new store on Queen West that sells stylish leather boots for under $200
• John Fluevog Shoes opens a new store in the Distillery District
• LeatherFoot, a high-end men’s custom shoe store in Yorkville

Menswear

• John Varvatos brings his high-end, rock-and-roll menswear to Yorkdale Shopping Centre
• Surmesur, a new custom men’s clothing shop for guys intimidated by the tailor
• The owners of Lost and Found open a menswear store and bookshop near Ave and Dav
• Black Flower, a guy-centric vintage store at Dundas and Ossington
• Gerhard Supply, a new Junction boutique selling Toronto-made menswear

Womenswear

• Montreal knitwear label Ça Va De Soi opens a Yorkville shop full of beautifully made sweaters
• TNT opens a location in Bayview Village
• White House Black Market brings its office-appropriate basics to Yorkdale Mall
• Ani and Wren, a new Rosedale boutique for fashionable moms and moms-to-be
• Loft opens an Eaton Centre store, with plans for three more Ontario locations this year
• Kate Spade New York opens a two-level store in Yorkville
• Craft and Guile, a trendy new women’s boutique in Yorkville

Unisex

• Da Zoo, a King West boutique with an impressive lineup of avant-garde design
• V S P Consignment, a high-end thrift store stocked with hip, designer clothing on Dundas West
• Floorplay, a new Queen West store devoted entirely to socks
• Blue Button Shop brings sophisticated Japanese clothing and accessories to Dundas West
• hr2, Holt Renfrew’s new designer discount store at Vaughan Mills
• Annie Aime, a new Eurocentric boutique on Ossington from the owner of French Accents
• AllSaints, a new home for rock-and-roll style at Yorkdale Mall
• Tiger of Sweden’s new Ossington outpost for hip professionals
• Used House of Vintage on Queen West merges with t-shirt store Bang-On
• The Hells Angels—yes, those Hells Angels—are selling yoga pants in their new Leslieville shop

Accessories

• Tumi arrives at Yorkdale with indestructible luggage and sleek, functional leather accessories
• ClearlyContacts.ca opens a brick-and-mortar store on Queen West
• American jeweller David Yurman is now open at Yorkdale
• Ferragamo brings tasteful opulence to Yorkdale Mall
• Mulberry opens two Toronto boutiques for its British-made luxury leather goods
• MenEssentials, a new guys-only grooming shop on the Danforth
• Quirky-cute Toronto brand Crywolf opens a boutique on Ossington
• Miu Miu launches its first Canadian boutique in Holt Renfrew on Bloor

Home and Lifestyle

• Easy Tiger Goods, a new lifestyle shop and coffee joint on Dundas West
• The Drake General Store opens a location at Yonge and Eglinton
• North Standard Trading Post, a new Canadiana-themed boutique in Parkdale
• Three Target stores are now open in Toronto
• Quebec mini-chain Artemano brings its ethically-sourced wood furniture to Toronto
• Zara Home, the Spanish fast-fashion giant’s new decor store in Yorkdale Mall
• Likely General, a new Roncesvalles shop selling handmade gifts, accessories and home goods

Online

• Joe Fresh launches online shopping (finally!)
• LAB Consignment is now selling its designer wares online
• A new Toronto-based website lets shoppers create customized shoes
• Preppy Toronto label Pink Tartan launches its online store
• Zara launches online shopping in Canada