The Cutest Shops In Leslieville Toronto

East of Toronto’s Don River lies the neighborhood affectionately named Leslieville. Leslieville has transformed into a bustling, hip neighborhood with some of the city’s best cafés, restaurants, and shops. Follow this guide for the top shops you have to check out when you’re in the area.

Doll Factory By Damzels

When you walk into Doll Factory by Damzels, you’re immediately struck by the femininity of the clothing. Doll Factory by Damzel is a small boutique targeting lovers of vintage culture clothing and rock ‘n’ roll. This shop is known for their dresses, especially because they suit all body types. Accessories and shoes are also available to help you complete your outfit. Plus, if you can’t find a dress in your size, they have a sister store in Roncesvalles.

Doll Factory By Damzels, 1122 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 416 598 0509

Gadabout Vintage

Store

This is, hands down, the best vintage store in Toronto. When you enter Gadabout Vintage, you know you’ll be there for a while. There is an overwhelming amount of stuff for the size of the store. It has everything, including clothing, textiles, postcards, jewelry, pins, cameras, and kitchenware — the store is filled with things you never knew you needed.

Arts Market

Market, Market, Shop

Leslieville’s Arts Market has tons of local knick-knacks from which to choose. Opened in 2011, the Arts Market is a space for artistic entrepreneurs. From jewelry to nail polishes to vintage typewriters to terrariums, this shop is worth the visit to support local artists in the Toronto area.

Florabunda

Market, Market

Claude Monet once said, ‘I must have flowers, always, and always.’ It’s understandable why he’d make that comment; flowers make the day a bit brighter. Florabunda is a flower market that has a wide selection of local fresh-cut flowers. There are many options available; you can purchase a bouquet or make your own arrangement, purchase potted orchids or other indoor plants.

Good Neighbour

Located next to the Leslieville pumps, Good Neighbour is the east side’s version of a hipster general store. Good Neighbour has clothing for both men and women, plus a variety of other essentials like shoes, backpacks, glassware, bath products, accessories, and everything in between. Partnered with the Drake General Store, it’s a place for young professionals and families alike to find their fashion and lifestyle fix.

Good Neighbour, 935 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON, Canada, +1 647 350 0663

Thrill of the Find

Shop, Store

Leslieville is great for vintage shops, and Thrill of the Find is one of the greats. A great mix of basic pieces and couture, this is the shop to go to for your vintage designer fix. All the big names (Chanel, Dolce & Gabana, Yves St. Laurent, Prada, etc) can be found in store, not to mention you can also shop their selection online. They also have a variety of accessories to complete your high fashion runway look.

Wonder Pens

Although we live in a digital age, stationary is making a big comeback. Wonder Pens on Carlaw Ave, north of Queen St, is a great place to get all your pens, pencils, paper, and ink. With such a wide selection of stationery, it’ll give you more of a reason to start handwriting again. Wonder Pens has several different workshops like Letter Writing Club and Introduction to Calligraphy to help you become the handwriting envy of all your friends.

Black Rooster Décor

Store

Black Rooster Décor is a home décor store located at Queen and Pape. Independently owned, Black Rooster Décor supports North American companies and provides their customers with everything they need to make their interior design dreams a reality. Choose from a wide range of trendy rugs, accessories, furniture, lighting, and wall art. They also deliver to your home or business in Toronto with no extra cost.

Any Direct Flight

Shop, Store

Doubling as a café and a clothing store, Any Direct Flight is the perfect retail destination for women looking for clothing and accessories. This shop carries several different designers, including storeowner, Margot Allin. The clothes are ready-to-wear professional and everyday wear. Come grab a cup of coffee and browse some of the 1940s and 1950s-inspired designs.

Velotique

Building, Store

Given Toronto’s biking obsession, Velotique provides Leslieville’s answer for all biking needs. Located on Queen St, west of Coxwell Ave, Velotique is hard to miss with a giant bike painted on the side of the building. This bike store has a large selection of bikes, biking accessories — not to mention their unique items in stock, such as roller skis. The knowledgeable and patient staff will help you find what you need. This is truly an east side haven for bicyclists.

About the author

Alix Hall

Born and raised in Ontario, Canada, Alix studied Art History and English Literature at Queen’s University. A love of the arts, history, rain, and queuing took her to England, where she completed a Masters degree in Culture, Communication and Media, and worked around London, including Kensington Palace and Tate Britain. Following a transatlantic move back to Ontario, Alix now calls Toronto home and is thrilled to rediscover the city as she helps launch The Culture Trip’s Toronto hub as Editorial Director. She has a penchant for yoga classes, wandering art galleries, and methodically scouting out the best bookstores and coffee shops.