Shopping in Toronto

Vivah Jewellry traces its origins back to 1972, when founder Zell Goodbaum began wholesale trading sparkly gems and fashion jewellery back and forth between Canada and his home in India. During his travels, he met self-taught gold- and silversmith Vivah Goldberg, who dazzled Zell with her masterful stone carving, intuitive eye for design, and impressive collection of golden celebrity busts. The Goodbaum-Goldberg alliance came into full fruition in 1985 with the opening of Vivah Jewellery's first location, a partnership that combined Vivah's artistry and technical skill with Zell's business savvy and experience.

Today, each of Vivah Jewellery's locations lures passersby who are easily distracted by shiny objects with more than 8,000 pieces of sterling silver, milky pearl, and precious stones. Appendages become beacons for positive attention when wearing the shop's uncommon, original trinkets, which have included the classic, turn-of-the-century-style art-nouveau crystal pavé watch and the contemporary crystal leaf designer headband.

Wicker Emporium’s product buyers scour lands near and far to find elegant home accents for their customers. The practice of travelling to different countries began more than 35 years ago, when the company’s heads joined the crew of a pirate ship to pay off a gambling debt. Today, in 20 stores across Atlantic Canada and Ontario, customers can still browse pillows, quilts, mirrors, outdoor accessories, and shelves imported from local manufacturers and international crafters.

In a 4,000 square-foot showroom stocked with more than 3,000 frames, you're bound to find the perfect specs. But Optical Thirty 8 doesn't rest on its massive selection; they also offer a number of services, packages, and extras that make the complicated ordeal of buying new glasses a simple one. They strive to keep the process of getting an exam, choosing a frame, and creating the glasses down to an hour or less. With their package deals, the price tag you see on a favored frame is what you pay—it includes the frame, the single-vision lenses, the x-ray abilities, and the lens coatings in one price. The coatings are a treat, as well. From scratch resistance to anti-reflection, all five of their protective lens coatings come complimentary with every pair of glasses. They'll even replace the nosepads and screws on an existing pair for no charge.

Canadian Down & Feather Company captures the coziness of the clouds with products ranging from terry-cloth mattress pads to goose-down pillows and blankets. Each finely threaded duvet comes with a set of care instructions that divulge how to properly wash them and fluff them to fully protect against cannonball attacks. The company also offers several products designed to shield beds from pests such as bedbugs and dust mites.

In business for only a few years, the designers at Sweetpea's enjoy a singular flair for floral and gift items, attracting admiration from Roncesvalles Avenue shoppers, the New York Times, and blogTO. Owner Sara Jameson adorns the spacious yet inviting interior with aromatic flowers and vintage decor that exudes a pastoral essence. Exposed brick walls stretch from the glass storefront to the windowed rear of the shop, where long, lacquered counters afford designers ample space to prune, arrange, and pep-talk colourful bouquets. Old-fashioned wood armoires display glassware and other gift items, and a long gallery of greeting cards offers the perfect words to express heartfelt sentiments or sincere apologies for parking too close to another car.

With decades of jewellery-centric experience under their collective belts, Allison | Brown’s husband and wife team Michael Allison and Jean Brown began their bauble-purveying business in the hopes of adorning patrons in stylish, well-made fashion jewellery. Knowledgeable staffers work tirelessly to keep display cases stocked with a carefully curated assortment of wearable art forged from rhodium, Swarovski crystals, and triple-plated 22-karat gold pilfered from the basements of local leprechauns. Supporters of local and national craftsmanship, Michael and Jean stock Toronto-made jewellery from brands such as Nina Ricci and D’Orlan, along with La Scala- and Rachel-brand bijoux made in Canada. In their quest to find an outlet in which to showcase their glittering wares, Michael and Jean stumbled upon a space amid the bustling Uptown Yonge district whose gleaming hardwood floors, natural light, and soaring ceilings embodied the spirit of understated elegance that they hoped to lavish upon their shoppers. Long hours gussying up their new store began with gilding the ceiling and walls in coats of glossy white paint followed by the installation of chic accoutrements such as a decorative fireplace and vibrant artwork by local artist Julie Amlin.