Holiday Shopping Toronto Archives

The Best Shopping in Midtown Toronto

December 27, 2019

If you love shopping, Midtown, Toronto is where it’s at. From enormous shopping malls to cute boutiques and much more, you’ll find everything you could wish for in this area of the city.

There are several great shopping areas within a short distance from each other, so you can cover a lot in a day. You’ll find all of the typical North American flagship brands, as well as luxury retailers and local boutiques with unique one-of-a-kind items. Put on your comfy shoes – there’s a lot of ground to cover!

So, where should you start when shopping in Midtown Toronto? Let’s take a look at the best shopping options in this part of the city.

Yonge Street

Yonge Street is one of the most famous shopping streets in Toronto. It’s a dynamic street lined with exciting things to see and do – whether you feel like shopping, catching a movie or heading to the theater.

Take a stroll down Yonge Street and you’ll find a mix of chain stores from big name brands, as well as several unique storefronts that are home to unique local businesses. For example, there’s the stylish shoes at Studio D, or the beautiful bohemian boutique Canopy Blue.

You can also check out That’s Italy, where you can find elegant designer frocks for your next party. Afterwards, you can check in at Room 2046 to sip a latte and nibble a donut while you admire locally made jewellery and soaps. If you get hungry while shopping, there are several restaurants to check out – from luxurious sit-down dining to fast food outlets.

This is a great part of the city if you love discovering shops that are unique, quirky and one of a kind. Be sure to check it out on your travels in Toronto.

Yonge-Eglinton Centre

If you are looking for the big shopping mall experience in Midtown Toronto, this is the place to head. You’ll find 70 retailers, including a wide range of brands such as Sephora, Indigo Books, Reitmans and more.

It’s located across the street from the Canada Square Complex and it is connected to the Eglinton subway station via a lower level tunnel. It has everything you’ll need – from groceries to gyms to liquor stores and convenience shops.

This bustling shopping centre has recently been renovated and the architecture is quite impressive – with columns of colour-changing LED lights and giant digital billboards. It feels futuristic and thriving and the centre often hosts events such as free rooftop yoga sessions (in the summer, of course!).

Yorkville Village

Another shopping mall in the area, Yorkville Village is located north of Bloor Street along Avenue Road. It was previously opened in 1976 as Hazelton Lanes, and fell into disrepair in the 1990s. It was redeveloped in 2011 and rebranded as Yorkville Village.

Yorkville Village has great options for shopping and food and it has been recently renovated, so it feels bright, spacious and modern. It’s an upscale shopping experience and there are plenty of high end retailers such as TNT, Andrews, Bois et Cuir and Belstaff.

This is where to shop if you really love fashion and decor – and you want to pick up something unique and stylish. Also, the mall has a SoulCycle, so you can get your workout on with an energizing spin class to exciting music.

Plus, when it comes to fueling up after a busy day of shopping, the mall offers ELXR Juice Lab AND Mi’Hito Sushi Laboratory. Whatever those labs are experimenting with – it’s likely to be pretty delicious.

Manulife Centre

Located on the corner of Bay and Bloor, this shopping centre is another great place to get your retail fix. The Manulife Centre is located on what’s known as the “Mink Mile”. It’s an upscale shopping district in Yorkville, along Bloor Street between Avenue Road and Yonge Street. It’s the most expensive place in Canada to lease retail space and is the 7th most expensive shopping street in the world. Essentially, the Mink Mile is the Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive of Canada.

The Manulife Centre is one of the tallest buildings in Toronto. Within this shopping centre, you’ll find the Bloor Street market, as well as many great fashion brands such as Ron White Shoes, Petra Karthaus and De Catarina. There’s also a GoodLife Fitness Centre, A Post Office, a Pharmacy and much more.

The good news? If the weather is terrible you can go straight through the underground tunnel from the Bloor and Yonge subway station and reach the mall without having to brave the cold!

These are just a few of the great places you can shop while staying at our midtown Toronto apartments. Click here to learn more about our short term apartment rentals in Midtown, Toronto. Our locations are accessible to great shopping, dining, nightlife and more.

Toronto Entertainment, Vacation Travel

Guide to Shopping In North York, Toronto

August 9, 2019

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift, a place to eat, a new outfit, or you just want to escape the cold weather, Toronto’s shopping malls are a great way to spend a few hours.

If you are based in North York, you’ll have plenty of great shopping malls and retail centres to choose from, each offering a diverse selection of brands. Here is a quick guide to shopping in North York, Toronto.

Sheridan Mall

Another great place to shop in North York is Sheridan Mall. It’s home to the major department stores – Winners and Walmart – which are great for finding the basics at a cheap price. There’s also plenty of mall favourite brands including Blossom, Ardene, Sirens, Payless Shoes, New York Connection and Urban Closet.

Plus, if you work up an appetite from all that shopping, there’s a diverse food court with cuisine from Japan, the Caribbean, Greece and more to choose from.

Yorkdale Shopping Centre

Located next to the Yorkdale subway station, Yorkdale is the fourth largest mall in the country and contains over 250 retail shops where you can stock up on everything you need. Many companies opened up their first Canadian store here, including Apple, Crate & Barrel, Bath & Body Works and J.Crew.

Grab a new book at Indigo Books and Music, then chill out at Michel’s Bakery Cafe while you read it. There’s also a lot of luxury brands here, such as Chanel, Versace, Prada and Gucci – so it’s a great place to treat yourself to something a little bit special.

By Oxford Properties – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12235649

CF Fairview Mall

This is not the biggest shopping mall in Toronto, but it does pack a great selection of retailers into a compact space. That means you can find a lot of great stuff, without having to spend hours walking around.

With the CF Fairview Mall you’ll find everything from toys to fashion to small appliances to books and more. Some of the shops here include Aldo Shoes, American Eagle Outfitters, Forever 21, Guess and Hot Topic.

Bayview Village

Fashion-lovers make regular visits to Bayview Village, a stylish mall that is home to more than 110 luxury retailers. This mall has a very “glam” vibe about it. You can valet park your car, drop off your dry cleaning, get a mani-pedi and get your hair done, as well as shop for elegant designer clothes.

The mall even offers a personal shopping service. The personal shopper will help you find that perfect item you need and the $50 fee will be given back to you in the form of a BV gift card at the end of your appointment.

The Shops at Don Mills

With 72 retail stores to choose from, this is another great place to shop in North York. You can find many of the big name stores here, including Guess and Calvin Klein.

It has the feel of a European piazza, with a central courtyard and great dining options. This means that the mall is a lot more fun in the summertime, but it does have a pretty spectacular Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in the winter as well.

To learn more about our short term rentals in North York, click here.

Downtown Toronto, Lifestyle talk, Uncategorized

Your Holiday Shopping in Toronto Guide

December 18, 2013

With the holiday season now in high gear, the mad retail rush has taken hold. And no matter what you’re celebrating, you’ve likely already got your list written, it’s just a matter of knowing where to begin. When you’re staying in an unfamiliar city, navigating the best shopping spots can be a challenge, let alone finding those truly thoughtful gifts for family and friends. Here are four shopping hot spots that not only offer a host of unexpected gifts, but you’ll also discover they provide a pleasant shopping experience too. As an added bonus, each shopping spot is easily accessible to our Qwest short term rental location.

The Drake General Store. With a carefully curated collection, the Drake General features an eclectic mix of lifestyle gifts including clothing, food and home décor. When you want to give an off-beat gift, you’ll find something for just about anyone on your list from cozy pajamas for your nieces and nephews to comfy, handmade pillows for your best friend. With gift packs available at nearly every price point, it’s also a great place to find a little something for colleagues or clients.

The Art Gallery of Ontario. While you may have caught the David Bowie exhibit this past fall, you might not consider the Art Gallery of Ontario as a shopping destination; yet it is. From adult art enthusiasts to creative children, the AGO’s gift shop is packed with inspiring gift ideas. Whether you’re looking for contemporary art pieces for your spouse or art supplies for a pint-sized Picasso, be sure to put the AGO on your hot spot, shopping list.

Kensington Market. From vintage finds to one-of-a-kinds, Toronto’s Kensington Market includes a collective of local retailers, many of whom have been in business for generations. Here you’ll find you can please your fashion-minded daughter with a few vintage accessories, along with that deliciously perfect item for the foodie on your list. And don’t forget to check out the Festival of Lights, an annual event held on December 21^st celebrating the ethnically diverse Market culture.

bigstock-Christmas-Shopping-Woman-6457015(1) Hudson’s Bay Company. Your holiday shopping is not complete until you’ve shopped at the Bay’s Queen Street location. Here you’ll find detailed, animated window displays that inspire the spirit of the season. While the number of high-quality brands are endless, the current Olympic collection will please the sport enthusiast on your list. The Hudson’s Bay Company Collection, offers a selection of toys, blankets and clothing that provides a touch of pure Canadian heritage; making it all the more inviting to cozy up during a cold winter’s night.

Holiday Shopping Toronto