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Lifestyle

University of Toronto : budget buys

COVER : Eat, drink

Rating: NNNNN


U of T’s mega-campus means half of downtown is at your doorstep, and shopping can be as swishy or bargain- basement as your budget dictates. If high fashion is on your radar, leave the 10 credit cards you’ve already signed up for in your dorm room and cruise Yorkville’s designer emporiums.

After drooling over the Guccis and Chanels at Holt Renfrew (50 Bloor West, 416-922-2333), scoot into the laneways behind the shmancy Bloor strip for its hidden retail options. Rolo (24 Bellair, 416-920-0100) stocks zany gifts and accessories, and Neat (70 Yorkville, 416-972-9700) organizes your life with an arsenal of storage essentials.

On the west end of campus (where second-years go to live when residences fill up with fresh frosh) is Mirvish Village. Hidden behind discount-everything block Honest Ed’s (581 Bloor West, 416-537-1574) is comic book mecca the Beguiling (601 Markham, 416-533-9168) and retro frock stop Spa_ce Vintage Clothing Gallery (608A Markham, 416-916-6219). On your way back to Future Bakery for all-day breakfast, shop Grassroots ‘s (408 Bloor West, 416-944-1993) eco-living do-goodies.

Past the Augusta entrance to Kensington Market (check out our OCAD snapshot), College Street’s lineup of tech stores and brunch spots gives way to Little Italy. Hit Ukula (492 College, 416-619-9282) for its fashion and music mix and Soundscapes (572 College, 416-537-1620) for CDs and show tickets. Balfour Books (601 College, 416-531-9911) is open into the wee hours of rowdy weekend mornings selling used lit and coffee-table tomes.

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