Retail

Blurring the lines between retailer and workshop, Kid Icarus allows visitors to observe the screenprinting process while they shop. In addition to the studio’s own line of greeting cards, posters and colouring books, Kid Icarus sells a good range of arts-and-crafts supplies, currently available online to be collected outside the shop.

Chris Naidu and Gray Butler met when working in retail and got on so well that they decided to open their own shop. Focusing on easy-to-wear wardrobe staples, the shop carries brands that aren’t as well represented in the fashion-heavy West Queen West neighbourhood. You’ll find clothing such as brushed Egyptian cotton shirts from Portuguese Flannel, parkas from Cape Heights in the US and bags from New York’s Ernest Alexander. There’s also a patio: it’s a nice spot for a pit-stop on the weekends if the nearby park is too busy.

Scandinavia meets Japan at Mjölk (pronounced “mi-yelk”; it’s Swedish for “milk”). With a focus on high-end design and clean aesthetics, it’s a labour of love for husband-and-wife team John Baker and Juli Daoust. Their meticulous selection of pieces ranges from classic Danish furniture by Finn Juhl to beautifully crafted houseware from Oji Masanori. The couple partner with their favourite designers to develop products that espouse their vision of impeccable craftsmanship, documenting the collaborations in a self-published magazine series.

Toronto’s first and only cocktail shop takes an all-encompassing approach to the craft, carrying everything from recipe books and Japanese bar tools to absinthe fountains and vintage glassware. “BYOB has a large range of products sourced from around the globe,” says founder Kristen Voisey. “We’re a one-stop shop for all beginners looking to set up home bars.” Besides selling all the equipment you could ever need to get mixing, BYOB is home to the largest collection of cocktail ingredients in North America, with more than 200 different types of bitters from around the world.

Our Canadian home follows the same shop-bureau format as our outposts in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore. Observe our team members as they busy themselves with stories for forthcoming issues and browse the full range of products and collaborations with our favourite partners, such as Porter, Delfonics and Comme des Garçons. It’s also where you can plug the gaps in your collection of past issues of Monocle and choose from our expanding collection of books.