Your weekly guide to the city’s retail scene.
SALES
■ Elsa Reia’s definitive designer sample sale returns to its original outpost at 580 King St. W., 2nd floor (at Portland St.). Explore racks and racks of heavy-hitting international designers like Isabel Marant, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Haider Ackermann, Lanvin, and more at discounts of 70 per cent and up. Local designers Dennis Merotto, Vintage Style Lab Eyewear, and Tilo Scarves will also appear. Hours are Dec. 5 (8:30 a.m.–8 p.m.) and Dec. 6–7 (9 a.m.–6 p.m.).
■ The Drake General Store is teaming up with North Star sportswear for a holiday warehouse sale featuring salvaged furniture, eclectic holiday gifts, and clothing at a discount of up to 70 per cent off. Shop the sale until Dec. 16 at the Drake’s warehouse (442 Dufferin St., Unit 1). Hours are weekdays (2 p.m.–7 p.m.), Saturdays (11 a.m.–5 p.m.) and Sundays (12 p.m.–4 p.m.).
■ The denim sale continues at Girl Friday (740 Queen St. W., 416-364-2511) until all stock is gone. Receive 25–40 per cent off select styles of Yoga Jeans, Dish, and !iT Jeans.
OPENINGS
■ Shelley Town’s eponymous card and design store Town (1187 Bloor St. W., 647-748-8696) combines elements of her former shop Pulp the Paper Gallery and Danforth gift boutique Butterfield 8. The new Bloordale location features greeting cards, over 300 different postcards and designer products, and plenty of gifts to give (and keep for yourself). An in-house line, “Town at TOWN,” boasts items from cufflinks to bookmarks, Christmas ornaments, and abstract works by her artist father Harold Town. Toronto-based designers like Smitten Kitten, Pi’lo, and Canadian Culture Thing also have stock at Town’s new home.
EVENTS AND POP-UPS
■ Check out West Elm’s series of Thursday “how-to” events to make holiday prep a breeze. The free seminars, held at the Liberty Village shop (109 Atlantic Ave.), cover everything from gift-wrapping 101 (Dec. 6) to setting a festive table with more than just dinnerware (Dec. 13) to inspired last-minute gift shopping (Dec. 20). Hours are 6 p.m.–8 p.m. Reserve your spot by calling the shop at 416-537-0110.
■ The third annual edition of the Collective Show gets underway Dec. 7 at Artscape Triangle Gallery (38 Abell St.). This artsy pop-up showcases a mix of curated designs and affordable original art from notable Toronto artists like Rob Croxford—his murals cover Carlton Street’s massive Loblaws—and Julia McNeely, known for her vivid canvasses. Meet artisans and support local handiwork by purchasing their pottery, knitwear, jewellery, preserves, furniture, and more. The free holiday market is open daily until Dec. 18 (11 a.m.–6 p.m.).
■ City of Craft’s largest holiday show to-date gets underway this Saturday and Sunday, where $2 admission grants you access to 70 vendors in three locations: The Theatre Centre (1087 Queen St. W.) and beyond (1093 and 1095 Queen St. W.). The six-year-old weekend fest presents great craft from both local and visiting artisans, inspiring workshops, demos, and installations, and has grown to include design by junior vendors aged 15 and under at 1095 Queen St. W., a free venue. Arrive early for a chance to grab one of the 100 free swag bags. Hours are Dec. 8 (11 a.m.–6 p.m.) to Dec. 9 (11 a.m.–5 p.m.).
■ Online shopping e-tailer Peacock Parade will host a pop-up sale at the Alison Milne Gallery (198 Walnut Ave.) on Dec. 11 (4 p.m.–9 p.m.). The free-membership site, known for its inventory of designer clothing and accessories at up to 80 per cent off retail prices, has sold everything from Amrita Singh jewellery to vintage Louis Vuitton handbags, Badgley Mischka coats, and cashmere wraps. A limited supply of $5 tickets for the pop-up are available on their website at Thepeacockparade.com.
