How to Shop Like a Pro Along King Street West

Exercise your credit card (and your good taste) along one of downtown’s most fashionable shopping streets.

While better known for its restaurants, entertainment and nightlife, King Street West hosts a trove of chic Toronto local shops for those with an eye for detail. Lace up your cutest kicks and you’ll be all set to and you can score much-loved finds along the stretch of King between Sudbury Street and Spadina Avenue.

Whether you’re obsessed with style, design, beauty or food, here are 13 insider spots that will make your shopping senses oh so happy.

For the style hunter

Save Queen West for tomorrow and discover the other hip strip where Torontonians love to shop local.

Don’t dismiss Patagonia’s Toronto flagship store as being for outdoorsy types only. This performance-gear brand is a hit for its eco-conscious ethos and on-trend style. Anything but fast fashion, Patagonia makes clothes that last and commits 1% of their sales to protecting the environment.

Consignment isn’t a dirty word anymore: pre-loved luxury goods are sustainable and wallet friendly. Located in Liberty Village, a short walk off King West, Bag Religion hand-selects every one of its bags, shoes, apparel and accessories to ensure its quality and authenticity. Love the thrill of the hunt? Here’s what’s lurking in-store: Chanel, Dior, Fendi, Gucci and more!

“I love the diverse fashion sense here in King West. It’s a very confident, casual style vibe: people are comfortable being themselves. The scene is on-trend, but it also has an eclectic edge where anything goes. Mixing high fashion with smaller boutique Canadian brands is a favourite look of mine—polished, but with an edge." –Erin Tracey, owner, Erin Tracey

If it’s jewelry that makes your heart sing, visit Toronto designer Erin Tracy. Also tucked away in Liberty Village, Tracy’s studio and showroom showcases refined designs that dare to mix metals and precious stones with concrete, acrylic and wood. And if you’re lusting for a signature look, she’s available for custom work that will shine as brightly as you do!

For the design junkie

Fill your suitcase or car with designer finds for every room of your home.

In Liberty Village, EQ3 is a Canadian-owned-and-operated furniture shop with a modern aesthetic. Besides their own collection of living/dining/bedroom furniture, lighting and accessories, EQ3 sprinkles in pieces from brands like Marimekko and Herman Miller, too.

A few blocks over, pop into Structube, another all-Canadian operation. They share contemporary and condo-friendly designs at price points you don’t have to sweat. Sort of like the big Swedish competition: think of them as a go-to brand for stylish finds with common sense.

Looking for sculptural delights to light up your life? Stroll north of King along Niagara Street to LightForm, a shop owned and operated by self-identified “lighting nerds.” They’ll help pair you with a table lamp, floor lamp or pendant that’s more than functional: it’s a glowing piece of art.

For the beauty collector

If soft skin, long lashes and the perfect shade of lipstick make your day, fill your bag at this bevy of King West beauty boutiques.

There’s lots of local love at Toronto min-chain Pure + Simple, which curates a selection of goodies, including their own namesake skincare collection, packed with natural ingredients. Pure + Simple is a two-in-one beauty store and spa, so consider planning ahead and pre-booking a relaxing facial with their signature Ayurvedic touches.

The Detox Market is the Toronto flagship of the popular Los Angeles-based store. Located a few paces north of King on Spadina Avenue, they stock the most coveted brands in green beauty, including Gwyneth Paltrow’s signature goop skincare line and Province Apothecary, a local brand from certified holistic aesthetician and aromatherapist Julie Clark.

At Majesty’s Pleasure, you’ll discover more than the standard spa services. They’re licensed to serve cocktails (their most popular drink is called Champagne Papi, an ode to Toronto’s favourite star), so you can enjoy a mani and a pedi while you sip, and then shop for a stash of the latest beauty must-haves.

For the food curator

Snack and sample now, then load up on foodie souvenirs to enjoy later.

Send your taste buds on a trip with chocolate crafted from Fijian, Jamaican or Peruvian cacao beans. SOMA Chocolatemaker has won global awards for its micro-batch chocolate. Buy a bar or two to take home, and don’t forget to order a cup of artisanal drinking chocolate, available in a classic fudgy flavour and Mayan chili.

Liberty Village’s Left Field Brewery is the place to go for ice-cold beer if you’re cheering on the Toronto FC or Toronto Argonauts at nearby BMO Field. It’s also got a mean gift store, with a sweet selection of sports-themed merch, from ball caps and hoodies, to the Beer For Everybody parade tee, a charity tee that’s 100% made in Canada.

Co-founder of Toronto’s iconic MAC Cosmetics, Frank Toskan has been busy with a new passion called Impact Kitchen, also in Liberty Village (with additional locations across town). He founded it in 2015 with his trainer, Josh Broun, and they serve nutrient-rich food that powers up your bod with action-packed ingredients. Brunch on Paleo waffles, then grab some take-home snacks like blackberry collagen gummies and strawberry chia squares.