We don’t have enough summer Store Of The Week spots to keep up with the season’s shop openings, so this week’s Style Notes is dedicated to a few can’t-miss debuts.
SUPAFRIK springs up
Kensington Market’s Hotshot Gallery (181 Augusta) is becoming the SUPAFRIK pop-up shop this weekend. Launching tomorrow (Friday, July 15) and continuing until July 31, the store features contemporary African design including clothing by Chinedesign, home buys and fabric from Shine Shine, SAWA sneakers, JunkPrints graphic T-shirts and books curated by A Different Booklist. Check out supafrik.com for info on more designers and Friday night’s opening party featuring afrobeats by Bend Down Boutique.
Style Exchange on Queen
Style Exchange has opened up on the Queen and Spadina shopping strip. The new 7,000-square-foot store (326 Queen West, 416-901-2224, styleexchange.com) stands apart from the retailer’s 13 other locations with a special shoe shop-in-shop where you can score Little Burgundy footwear. Other brands on offer include Miss Sixty, J. Lindeberg, Mackage and Canada Goose.
Double Take vintage
The Yonge Street Mission’s Double Take store (310 Gerrard East, 416-925-7198, ysm.ca) has opened a new room stocked with vintage clothing and furniture. The SHOW[Case] space is full of frugally priced buys including retro teapots, wooden trunks, amber glasses and designer clothing. The shop is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 2 to 6 pm, Thursday and Friday 2 to 8 pm.
The Arthur goes to College
Industrial curiosities and other retro oddities are best sourced on Queen East, in Parkdale or the Junction, but the arrival of The Arthur (550 College, 416-972-0725, thearthur.co) means Little Italy is giving those other nabes a run for their vintage money. Launched in June, the store has a carefully curated selection of nostalgic finds from cloth-and-metal grocery store baskets perfect for picnic duty to needlepoint art and tarnished gooseneck lamps. Stop by Wednesday to Saturday 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday noon to 5 pm.
