Shopping in Vaughan

Boa, rated one of the Best Places to Shop in Toronto by Toronto Life Magazine, is the fashionable brainchild of twin sisters Daphne and Ofra Nassani, geared toward chic-minded gals on a budget. Curating a collection of versatile day-to-night pieces, the sisters stock an inventory ranging from sparkling evening dresses to comfortable sweaters and bamboo leggings. In addition to keeping a close watch on the fashion world, the sisters pride themselves on being socially and environmentally conscious. They host in-store fundraisers and clothing drives to benefit Free-Them—a volunteer-run organization working to combat human trafficking—and make efforts to reduce their carbon footprint by sending their customers home with their new duds in paper bags, rather than plastic bags or in the hands of coal-powered personal bag-carrying robots.

For nearly five decades, G & K Picture Frame Canada has been protecting keepsakes from the wear and tear of time⎯and they do so in style. With four shops scattered across Ontario, the family-owned business presents its clients with hundreds of custom framing options and combinations. Expert staff members at each location help navigate the oasis of choices, flexing their framing muscles by putting everything from diplomas and sports jerseys to exotic brochures and clothing behind glass. They can also safeguard 3-D objects and bulkier relics, such as guitars and needlepoint creations.

Murtaza Janmohamed, a registered optician out of the College of Opticians in Ontario, utilizes more than 20 years of experience to lead a team of licensed optometrists, ophthalmologists, and physicians. As a fellow of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, Murtaza specializes in fitting multifocal lenses and possesses oodles of knowledge in eyeglass and contact-lens products. The keen eyes at the eyewear shop also know how to accessorize head orbs with a vast variety of frames from brands including Gucci, Hugo Boss, Ray-Ban, and Serengeti, and are always ready to assist with suggestions and fittings of Groucho glasses. Crystalline Eyewear's guarantee of optical excellence includes promises such as 60-day guarantees on prescriptions, one-year warranties on frames, and free eyeglass adjustments whether or not the specs were purchased from the shop.

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.

The Skater's Performance keeps athletes' tools in top shape with hockey equipment and equipment-maintenance services. Though everything from Cascade hockey helmets to Kewl apparel lines the shelves, the knowledgeable staff shines brightest when fixing existing gear. Skate repair and sharpening keeps athletes speeding down the ice during breakaways or cutting steaks on the bench between shifts, and skate profiling shapes blades to conform to each player's centre of gravity, improving their overall control. Additionally, Sani Sport technology sanitizes a variety of sports gear, eliminating the bacteria that causes odour and potential infections.

Kaboom Fireworks stocks a large assortment of pyrotechnics, including sparklers, fountains, and mortars that launch into the sky before bursting into showers of brilliant color. Shoppers can also find party favors such as confetti cannons and glow-in-the-dark jewelry. Before lighting a fuse, check out the company's safety tips where you can get information about everything from what makes a good fireworks show to where fireworks should be stored and why they aren't efficient at toasting s'mores.