Queen Street West and Dundas Street W. vintage stores and some nearby eateries
On July 20th, 22, I went on a trip to buy some vintage goods in downtown Toronto. I actually went to 3 shops at once and it was very tiring but I am happy that I got some really affordable but brand clothing. The vintage shops were very cool, filled with antique styles, beginning from dishes and accessories. You should definitely try going there yourself, since it is a trend and you always want to shop for little money! Let’s get started.
Dineen Coffee Co.
After getting off at Queen Subway Station from Finch Station, I needed to stay up with caffeine for a big shopping day, so I went to a really cool café that I found on Tripadvisor app last night. It was very famous among tourists and there were line ups even on Wednesday morning. Look what I ordered; almond croissant, pistachio muffin, and cold matcha latte and some coffee.
@140 Yonge Street
As you can see, the café has beautiful lights and lively atmosphere, with cute interior. Ordering was easy because menus were simple and clear. I wanted to sit at the sofa but it was taken already. If you don’t want to miss out the sofa like me perhaps for photos, I would go there as soon as they open. Overall, It was a very cool place to study. But, I had a long way to go today so I did not stay for long.
Public Buttter
First vintage place I went was at 1290 Queen Street W., Public Butter. As you can see, this place was typical of what I expected of a vintage store. Messy but everything arranged according to size and color. My arms hurt a little because there were not any baskets, but you can find a lot of good stuff for good price. In fact, it was a really great deal and I bought 3 pieces of clothing that I really liked for $65. Most of goods are around $20 so you can get many pieces. Nice vintage dresses and there were a lot of things unlike two other stores that I visit, which was not as stocked as it this place was. If you are really into bulk shopping, I recommend this place.
House of Vintage
Okay, just across the street from Public Butter, there is this awesome looking vintage shop called, House of Vintage. It was clean and very organized but not many things in there. Polo Ralph Lauren was major products there. (I got a Polo Ralph Lauren jacket in red and it was nice fitting.) It seemed that dresses were selected very careful. (I loved the taste, very wearable and not really out-of-trend.) Fitting rooms were cool and spacey. I wanted to get a cow boy boots but it did not have my size. If you go to that area, visit this place, such a antique place to hang out and take pictures.
Matt’s Burger Lab
I got really hungry after going through two vintage stores and carrying a heavy shopping bag. So, I head out to eat nearby, I had no energy to search for another good place to eat so I went to Burger Lab near the bus stop. Well…. the air-conditioning was not so good that day but overall good food. I ordered pineapple beef burger, apple soda, and fries, to fill me in. The burger was very filling and tasty, it screwed up my diet plan.
Penny Arcade Vintage
It was only 3 o’clock and I had a whole day so I took the same bus opposite direction to Dundas St. W. There was another street with vintage stores. The street was busier than Queen St. and I wanted to see more, but I didn’t have that much time. So, I went to only one cool place. Here are photos.
Here, there were not many clothes, mostly accessories. They had nice cups and plates and some scarfs. I got two bandana scarfs there, one in navy and the other in purple. It was a small store but kind of cool place, because it was organized in a such cool way. A little bit pricey store, though.
Wow, that was exhausting. Guess what? I had a gelato again. It was so hot and just walking around the corner was a ice cream gelato shop called Avoca. I got coconut and mango gelato in a cup. (It is supposed to be chocolatier.) It finished the trip just perfectly.
It was a very fun and extra-ordinary trip! I thought of going to vintage stores after looking at Youtube, hoping to find some classic clothes and I found more than that. Great experience to have, if you live in Toronto. I should have gotten the cowboy boots. But I think I am going to Kensington market, as suggested by the cashier at House of vintage. You should definitely go see and you would not be able to tolerate to shop.
Thanks.