Aside from my protestor and International Protected Person friends, everyone else I know is planning on avoiding the G20 invasion downtown like the plague.
Why should the politicians have the only fun spending our money this weekend though? It’s the perfect time to inconspicuously consume midtown, uptown, east and west where the fences rarely break shoulder height and your ears are a comfortable distance away from any eager sound canon operators.
Here’s where we think you should shop:
Uptown: Magnolia
Since opening his chic Avenue Road and Eglinton boutique Magnolia a year-and-a-half ago, Juan Carlos Gaona has quickly become a key player in the city’s fashion scene. While most buyers like to remain anonymous, Gaona is always out supporting Toronto’s designers and carries many of them, including Lucien Matis and Carrie Hayes, at the store. This month, he asked fashion illustrator Danielle Meder to create a window display inspired by her series of paper dolls. The project is up until July 4. 333 Eglinton West, 416-825-4501.
Midtown: Advice from a Caterpillar
While Rosedalers wait with baited breath and rumbling stomachs for the arrival of a Terroni to call their own, a great new kids shop has opened behind the restaurant’s digs at Yonge and Price Street. Sisters Emily and Elizabeth Dyer’s Advice from a Caterpillar stocks Mini Mioche clothing, reimagined old-school toys (think colourful rubber balls and light-up yoyos) and other cute-but-classic buys for infants to 6-year-olds. We’ll give this one the full Store of the Week treatment in August but feel free to start shopping there immediately. 8 Price, 416-960-2223.
West: Red Canoe
The private launch party for Red Canoe’s new showroom and retail space on Dundas between Ossington and Dufferin is tonight but a sneak peek at the store is already on the company’s blog. I spy lots of knotty pine plus T-shirts and bags sporting Canadian heritage logos. 1356 Dundas West.
East: Nathalie-Roze & Co.
Leslieville shopping staple Nathalie-Roze & Co. has launched its ice cream patio for the summer season. Scoops from Yorkville’s Dessert Lady are served up in teacups in the flower filled garden. One of our stationary designing favourites, artist Katie Muth, is in Nathalie-Roze’s studio on Sunday between 11 am and 2 pm teaching a LINO-block printing workshop. A spot is $65. Call the store to register. 1015 Queen East, 416-792-1699.[rssbreak]
