Like all other aspects of life in Toronto, Black Friday is a little different in 2020. Most stores are closed and public officials are urging people to stay home and shop online.
Toronto and Peel Region are in lockdown, which means non-essential retail is closed. However, box stores, pharmacies and grocery stores remain open.
“Frankly I’ve said I don’t believe stores, which are open for technical reasons, should even be holding Black Friday sales,” Mayor John Tory said during a city hall press conference this week. “Please shop online or use local curbside pickup with local small independent businesses. They need your business right now more than ever.”
Here are Toronto 20 places participating in Black Friday, including an arts centre and two music shops that are still doing Record Store Day on November 27.
Bather
The Toronto surf and swimwear brand is doing 40 per cent off swim trunks and camp shirts, and 25 per cent off everything else. bather.ca
Bay Bloor Radio
It’s going to be a while before you head back to the club. The local electronics and music hardware retailer’s annual Black Friday sale is full of discounts on TVs, headphones and stereo gear so you can bring the club to you. baybloorradio.com
Body Blue
The Danforth denim retailer is open for curbside pickup and delivery during lockdown. A range of clothing items are marked down by 20-50 per cent. bodyblue.ca
Drake General Store
The Candiana gift shop is doing five days of deals, but also sales on housewares by Puebco and New Era hats, among other brands. drakegeneralstore.ca
Frank and Oak
The Canadian clothing retailer nearly became a pandemic casualty, but has survived to see another Black Friday. Everything is 30 per cent off. frankandoak.com
Genuine Tea
Our readers’ favourite tea shop is doing a 35 per cent off sale. genuinetea.ca
Getoutside
The Queen West shoe store is doing 20 per cent off and 15 per cent off UGG products. getoutsideshoes.com
Greenhouse
If you feel more like giving than getting a deal, the local organic beverage company is donating $10 from home delivery orders placed between November 27-December 1 to homelessness charity Fred Victor. greenhouse.ca
Henry’s
The Church Street camera shop is offering free shipping through November 30 and Nikon products are on sale through early January. henrys.com
Indochino
Suit up for your next big important Zoom meeting or a future formal function at this Toronto menswear retailer. Suits are discounted to below $400. indochino.com
Long & McQuade
The music retailer is offering “don’t pay for 90 days,” an extra year on performance warranties and rental coupons on purchases over $100. Lighting effects are also on special. long-mcquade.com/BlackFriday2020
Muji
The Japanese housewares retailer didn’t have an e-commerce store in Canada during Lockdown 1. Muji has rectified the situation for Lockdown 2. Online Black Friday deals include 20 per cent off apparel and discounts on aroma diffusers and humidifiers. muji.ca
Nia Centre for the Arts
The arts centre and community hub near Eglinton and Oakwood has put together a list of Black artists selling work on Black Friday. Score some new art and support local artists during COVID-19. niacentre.org
North Standard Trading Post
Your entire order is 25 per cent off when you buy online from this Queen West clothing brand. The deal is in effect from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. northstandard.ca
Over the Rainbow
The Yorkville denim retailer is automatically adding 20 per cent off upon check out when you shop online. rainbowjeans.com
Peace Collective
The made-in-Canada streetwear brand has dubbed Black Friday “Peace Week” and is offering discounts of up to 60 per cent off through the weekend. peace-collective.com
Play de Record
The long-running record store is will be selling Record Store Day 2020 exclusive stock outside on the street starting at 8 am on November 27. You’ll have to get in a socially distanced line as RSD titles are first come, first serve. Online shoppers get a 10 per cent discount. 411 Spadina and playderecord.com
Rotate This
The west-end record store is also participating in Record Store Day. You’ll need to email your wish list in advance and then line up outside the shop. They’ll do their best to fulfill your order based on your place in line, but remember that RSD stock is based on availability. 186 Ossington and rotate.com
Portland Market
If you spruced up your home with plants during the first lockdown in the spring, chances are you need to do some repotting. Or maybe all your plants died and you need new plants. Either way, Portland Market has you covered with up to 50 per cent off. portlandmarket.ca
Sonic Boom
Starting at 10, Sonic Boom is having its first virtual Black Friday in 20 years, aiming to get as many Record Store Day Black Friday exclusives as they can. They’ve also got holiday gift bundles and stocking stuffers. It all starts at 1 pm. sonicboommusic.com
TNT
Been waiting for that designer piece to hit the virtual sale rack? The Yorkville boutique has a 70 per cent off sale this week. tntfashion.ca
