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Market value
Cruise the stalls for sweet deals at Pride Day’s Marketplace . Located across the street from the Wellesley subway station, the market has an enormous (almost 100 businesses are participating!) selection of artisanal items like handmade jewellery, crafts, music and fashion made by local artists. Sixty per cent of the booths are rented by individual sellers. And with corporate sponsors like Crest White Strips, Schick and Trojan, samples and free swag will no doubt be bountiful. Sunday (June 29), 11 am to 8 pm. 416-927-7433.
Herbal remedy
Serving the community since 1930, Ottway Herbs & Vitamins Pharmacy (453 Church) is a great resource for all your healthful needs. Its Pride Week sale, on through Monday (June 30), features 15 per cent off natural libido enhancers 17 per cent off the store’s entire stock of vitamins and minerals and 11 per cent off sports nutrition, including creatine, whey powder and all that other good stuff that gets you pumped. Ottway also specializes in HIV/AIDS, diabetes and asthma products, and you can order online at ottway.com. 416-967-9222.
Live the fantasy
Shoes and fragrances on sale? That’s right, hon, you’re not dreaming. Saunter over to Out on the Street (551 Church) and score a 25 per cent discount on men’s designer fragrances (think Dolce, sweetie) and up to 40 per cent off on selected shoes. Monday to Wednesday 10 am to 9 pm Thursday to Saturday 10 am to 10 pm Sunday 11 am to 8 pm. 416-967-2759.
Womens studies
For the largest lesbian collection of fiction and non-fiction in the city you must – I repeat, must – come by the Toronto Women’s Bookstore (73 Harbord). Not only do they carry works by the best feminist scribes, but they also have a fun (and perfect-for-Pride) selection of sloganned and rainbow merch. Register for TWB’s e-mail newsletter at womensbookstore.com. Monday to Wednesday 10:30 am to 6 pm Thursday and Friday 10:30 am to 8 pm Saturday 10:30 to 6 pm Sunday noon to 5 pm. 416-922-8744.
