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We’d suggest a rumble on Kensington to settle whether OCAD art kids or U of T academics stake a stronger claim to the Market, but a sparkly buckle from vintage clothing mecca Courage My Love (14 Kensington, 416-979-1992) would probably catch everyone’s horn-rimmed eyes, resulting in a retro shopping love-in.
If we must divide, the university can have Bungalow (273 Augusta, 416-598-0204) and its teak furniture and well-edited throwback clothing, and the college can visit the Rage (13 Kensington, 416-588-5177) for emerging designer fashion.
Lots of art supply options are close to OCAD’s stilted campus, including Curry’s (283 Dundas West, 416-585-9292), Gwartzman’s (448 Spadina, 416-922-5429) and Loomis and Toles (130 Spadina, 416-703-4748). Late nights at Kinko’s (505 University, 416-979-8447) are spent in the midst of carbon-copy-happy collage artists and red-eyed report binders.
Creative kids have to push past scurrying mall rats on Queen West between University and Spadina to find counterculture spots like Lavish and Squalor (253 Queen West, 416-599-4779) and the Friendly Stranger (241 Queen West, 416-591-1570). Visit the new hot-pink Umbra store (165 John, 416-599-0088) and dream about how good (or bad?) selling your design soul to the man can be.
