Discover Canadian designers, CanLit, locally made goodies and other treasures in this laidback east-end Toronto neighbourhood.
Shop local in charming Leslieville
Travel mementos remind us of where we’ve been—and sometimes of how far we’ve come. Whether it’s a graphic tee repping a favourite Japanese baseball team or Bermudan oleanders bottled into a fragrance, a thoughtfully chosen souvenir can keep vacation memories front of mind, long after we’ve returned home. So, where in Toronto should you head for such a keepsake?
Leslieville, in Toronto’s east end, is where it’s at. The main drag, Queen Street East, is packed full of indie designers and locally owned boutiques. Follow along as we take you through five Toronto local shops where you’re sure to find that special something.
“When you shop local, you support Canadian jobs, help small businesses grow and keep ‘Made in Canada’ going. It also reduces the environmental impact of shipping products from overseas. It’s a win-win-win: good for Canada, good for the environment and if you’re happy with your purchase, good for you!” –Jeremy Watt, Co-founder of Province of Canada
Side note: Leslieville is also close to some of the east end’s buzziest brunch spots. Eggs Florentine followed by a power shop? Sounds like a solid plan to me. Check out Maha’s Egyptian Brunch or The Green Wood.
Local shop #1: Queen Books
East-end bibliophiles will tell you Queen Books is the place to pick up some CanLit (portmanteau for Canadian literature). Local authors get pride of place around the store, so if you’re looking for a Torontonian page-turner, you’ve come to the right place. Insider tip: before visiting, check their website. On occasion they host local author events, which you might be lucky to catch, plus you’ll also get a chance to see their catalogue. Their titles range from Afrofuturism to indie CanLit.
Local shop #2: Province of Canada
Province of Canada makes clothing that feels like a warm hug. The brand was started in 2014 by a husband-wife duo, and today can be seen on the backs of many downtown dwellers. Each piece is designed and made in Canada, and they specialize in cozy sweats, T-shirts and winter accessories, plus some home textiles. Shop their 1 for 1 sock collection and the company will donate a matching pair to one of 18 homeless shelters across Canada—so far 27,000 pairs have been shared with people in need.
Local shop #3: Scout
Looking for gifts to bring home for friends and family? Scout has a range of options to suit. You’ll find printed T-shirts emblazoned with classic Toronto sights, like the Revue Cinema and Honest Ed’s. Plus, giftware such as Montreal-made Baltic Club candles, or retro keychains dedicated to one of the neighbourhoods you’ve visited on your trip, like Leslieville or Roncesvalles.
Local shop #4: Doll Factory by Damzels
Canadian designers Kelly Freeman and Rory Lindo have been making retro-style dresses and clothing for the last 20 years. Their Toronto design label Doll Factory by Damzels has a loyal following of fans who are into their vintage look. Their pieces mix bold prints (think gingham, florals and leopard), and run the full spectrum of colours.
Local shop #5: Good Neighbour
Good Neighbour is the place to get your own always-appropriate Canadian tux. Toronto fashion brand Naked & Famous imports Japanese selvedge, which it then cuts and sews in Canada. You’ll also find Canadian-made belts from Brave Leather, jackets from Quartz and jewelry from The Right Hand Gal, among others. Foodies can shop a trove of locally made sweets, jams, bar mixes and coffee.
Getting to Leslieville
- Take the Line 2 Bloor-Danforth subway to Coxwell station, then the 22 bus southbound
- Or take the Line 1 Yonge-University subway to Queen station, and then the 501 streetcar eastbound
– Additional research by Akira Ourique
—This story has been updated with new details since it was first published in March 2021.
