Glimpse the retail world of yesterday and celebrate Toronto’s shopping scene through the decades. Rediscover the retailers that defined eras and shaped how the city shops today.
This exhibition features vintage shopping bags from the library’s Special Collections. The shopping bag, just like the shopping landscape, has evolved significantly over the decades, reflecting the times in which they were created. It may seem like a shopping bag is just a vessel for carrying goods, but it can tell a larger story. It is not only a form of advertisement or status symbol, but it can also reflect a moment in time, as well as capturing a piece of design history.
FREE guided tours every Tuesday at 3 pm and additional tours on following dates Oct 30/ Nov 20/ Dec 11 and Jan 8 at 5:00pm. No registration required, please meet at the entrance to the TD Gallery.
Oct 11, 2025 – Jan 11, 2026
Hours of Operation
Saturdays: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm – 5:00pm (starting Oct 19)
Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 8:30pm
Please refer to tpl.ca for planned holiday closures or other schedule changes.
