The best fashion and gift stores Canada

Located in a quiet street in the Saint-Henri district, this independent bookstore offers a wide selection of literature for adults and children, in English and French. Anthony Benda, who also owns the café-resto-bar Córdova located a few meters away (good to know: for every book bought, a coffee is offered!), wanted to make this place a real meeting place. A reading corner has been set up as well as a nice terrace at the back. Monthly book club and events (check the website).

Located on trendy Bernard Avenue, in the heart of Mile End, and a stone's throw from bars and cafés that feature local bands (such as the Dépanneur Café), this independent record store promotes the local scene. Experimental rock, indie, jazz, folk, blues or world music, you'll find every musical style, even if Phonopolis specializes above all in the underground. Don't forget to take a look at the showcase which looks like a "mini-exhibition". The place also hosts events (check the website).

Opened in 2012 by mother-daughter duo Melo and Mahro Anfield, who have worked in the vintage industry for a long time, this adorable little boutique offers only vintage clothing and accessories, all handpicked. Not surprisingly, there is a nice selection of clothing, from pin-up dresses to old American jeans, for both men and women. The store may not be very big, but it is full of finds. A great place to find unique pieces! Online store as well.

The Images Boréales gallery's mission is to represent the greatest artists of the Inuit world, but also to encourage the development of emerging talent. Nearly 200 artists are represented in the gallery's showcases and aisles, forming the largest selection of Inuit art in the region. Through temporary exhibitions and one-off events, the gallery works to disseminate and promote this art form, which can be found in every corner of Canada. If you want to bring home a unique and authentic souvenir, this is the place to go.

This trendy store on Queen West Street specializes in skateboards, snowboards and longboards. You'll find all the equipment you need, from boards to wheels, trucks (axles), bindings, boots, protective gear and tools. Streetwear (men and women - including the popular Thrasher brand), shoes (Vans, Adidas, ES, Etnies, etc.) and a wide range of accessories (including Nixon watches) complete So Hip Toronto's offer. Online store as well.

This small shoe store prides itself on offering exclusive designer creations. The paradise of the stiletto heel, but also of the sandal and the small fashionable sneaker. In fact, all categories are represented here, for men, women and children. The store also sells various accessories, from bags to scarves, hats and umbrellas. Heel Boy also has a branch in Kingston (halfway between Montreal and Toronto). Online store as well.

Located at Place Montréal Trust, the huge Indigo bookstore has books in store in both French and English on every conceivable subject. It is even said to have the largest selection of cookbooks in the country. In addition to the traditional music, film and series, stationery and tutti quanti sections, there are BébéIndigo and EnfantsIndigo stores (children's books, toys, baby items or new mothers, etc.), gift items for home or for yourself, and even a coffee shop to take a break during shopping.

Renaud-Bray has been present in the Quebec landscape for over 50 years and is known under the banner "Books + Gifts + Games". A large chain very well supplied in almost all types of literature. In addition to books, there are also music areas, films and series, babies and young people, gift items and stationery. If you are a little confused by so many choices, Renaud-Bray offers a selection of "Hot favourites" that are always very judicious. Several other branches in Montreal and elsewhere in the province.

Opened in 1976, Kops Records is the oldest independent record store in Toronto. There is a great selection of all styles of music here, with both used and new records. Kops also has another branch on Danforth Avenue (where they stock tens of thousands of vinyl records) and one in Oshawa in the Greater Toronto Area. The place also buys back the vinyl you want to get rid of. Possibility to buy online on the website. Frequent draws for tickets to shows.

Liliane and Daniel's family shop is a veritable Ali Baba's cave. The countless retro (or not!) treasures are unearthed and carefully arranged in each of the eight thematic rooms of this former home, which now resembles more like a well-stocked museum. This pretty mess might impress some visitors, but the adventure is definitely worth it. It's a timeless place where one likes to come back to admire the collection, which is renewed according to the owners' discoveries. Perfect for a gift.

A nice independent record store where the bins are generously filled with vinyl and CDs, both new and used, not to mention a few turntables for the DJ in you and portable Bluetooth speakers. While music rules the place, there are also T-shirts with the record store's logo, cool greeting cards and other items. And the prices are very interesting, with many promotions throughout the months. Another branch on Church Street in the Church-Wellesley district.

Common Sort is environmentally conscious and operates on the "Buy - Sell - Trade" principle. Of course, unless you're in Toronto for a long time, you may not have clothes to sell or trade. That said, the place is also open to the general public and allows you to find second-hand clothing and accessories, all hand-picked. To keep up to date with what's new in the store, follow the Facebook page. There are also two other stores in Toronto, in the Parkdale and The Annex neighbourhoods.

Formerly known as Hazelton Lanes, Yorkville Village is an upscale shopping centre with a succession of chic boutiques. Ready-to-wear, jeweller, home decor and interior design, beauty care, art gallery, wine shop, fitness centre... There's something for everyone! The place also hosts some services such as a clinic, a dentist and the Whole Foods food market. Nearly a dozen restaurant counters also have their base camp there, most of them healthy or with a taste of the world.

Canadian Aboriginal artists and artisans are a must-see, and The Snow Goose has been specializing in them for over half a century. Located just a stone's throw from Parliament Hill, the Snow Goose is both a showroom and a retail store for the beautiful creations inspired by the nature and traditions of these ancient peoples. The website displays many of the works with a descriptive sheet presenting the Amerindian and Inuit artists. You will be sure to find an authentic souvenir.

A world of pretty little things opens up to those who push open the charming pink door of Buk & Nola, as you stroll down Rue Laurier. Colorful cushions, scented candles, stationery, clutches of all sizes, designer jewelry... you're almost sure to find what you're looking for, whether for yourself or as a gift. A dedicated children's area has everything you need for unforgettable festivities (garlands, decorations, confetti, gifts, etc.). A fine selection of original postcards to send or display at home.

You wouldn't expect to come across such a shop in this neighbourhood and yet it would be a real shame to miss it! Lovers of rags and vintage pieces won't go out of here empty-handed... and neither will the pockets, since the prices are quite reasonable. Accessories of all kinds also have a place of choice, as well as some offbeat objects (cups, stickers, pots...). Pieces sold at the back of the shop. The proposed selection changes often, so it is a good place to go regularly.

At Renaissance, we find everything... everything, really. The spacious shops are overflowing with second-hand items, especially clothing (for adults and children), but also bedding, books, dishes... You have to love rummaging for real nuggets at unbeatable prices. Renaissance works to facilitate the social and professional integration of certain people in difficulty while encouraging the reuse of goods for the preservation of the environment. A mine of bargains for those who know how to take the time.

A new addition to Plaza Saint-Hubert, Beurd offers unique, colourful, resolutely trendy and proudly Montreal! The various collections made in Montreal are a breath of fresh air on the fashion scene here: sweatshirts, t-shirts, shorts, shirts, dresses, accessories... the choice is vast and the prices are fair and reasonable. The different models of caps are also all the rage. In the pretty workshop-shop, you'll love to stroll around and take a look at those who are busy around an impressive silk-screen printing machine.

It looks like this thrift store is building a real empire, with two Mile End boutiques and a new one a little further north, in Little Italy. The principle is simple: anyone can bring in unwanted clothing and, if selected, receive a store credit (50% of the value) or cash (25% of the value) in exchange. The concept is a huge success, and the pieces on display turn over quickly. A good address for those who like to find beautiful second-hand pieces without rummaging around for hours.

Nath & Compagnie is actually two separate entities in the village of Percé, all located on Route 132 West. The first is 224, home to the café-library and ecological stationery shop, where you can relax with a cup of coffee and discover the books and objects meticulously chosen by the team (with a lovely terrace area at the back). Then there's 170, the Maison Black Whale, a bistro-boutique with terrace offering a menu of regional flavors, both on the plate and in the glass. Two addresses worth discovering!

Island textile designer Pascale Perron offers a wide range of in-house collections made from new and/or recycled materials. You'll find clothing and accessories for both adults and children, bags and saddlebags, jewelry, stationery and decorative items for the home. And it's all handmade for unique, original creations! The many stalls scattered around the house are also stocked with body care products, gourmet treats and more. A great boutique!

Founded in the Magdalen Islands as a base camp for kitesurfing, Aerosport has developed an expertise in water sports and runs a gear shop in Oka. It's a mecca for all things kayak, SUP, surf, kitesurf and wing - with all the accessories that go with it - as well as for those who prefer to stay on land thanks to the fleet of electric bikes. For the lucky ones who will go to the Magdalen Islands, Aerosport has its own shop in L'Étang-du-Nord and a private site in the Havre-aux-Basques lagoon.

This boutique in downtown Chicoutimi is a veritable Ali Baba's cave of creations and crafts. You will find beautiful jewelry, but also clothing and accessories, children's items, various decorative items, personal care products and other finds, all "made in Canada" and carefully selected by the boutique's team to encourage the local economy. Another branch in Jonquière in the Arvida sector.

Sharks is THE shop for water sports enthusiasts for over 30 years. You will find all the equipment and accessories you need for kiteboarding, surfing, paddleboarding, wakeboarding, water skiing, kneeboarding, wakeskating and wakesurfing, not to mention wetsuits and other beach and streetwear. A selection of skateboards and snowboards is also on sale on site. A highly recommended address, as much for its impeccable service as for its wide variety of models.

Snowboard, skateboard and surf enthusiasts meet here to stock up on equipment and streetwear. Everything from boards and bindings, skateboards, trucks and wheels, not to mention wetsuits, accessories of all kinds, and bags and cases to protect your new acquisitions. And it will cost you a fraction of what you would pay in Europe! Many Empire locations in the greater Montreal area and elsewhere in the province (see website for listing). Online store as well.

Ulysses, the library of eponymous guides. You will find nearly 10,000 Ulysses maps and guides in French and English.

Located in the heart of the trendy Mile End district, this pretty boutique offers clothing and accessories mostly made in Canada (Bully Boy Lingerie, Lissa Bowie...), including a selection of Montreal brands (Léonce, Darlings of Denmark...). Whether local or international, the items offered for sale are made in a sustainable and ethical manner. The owners, Jennifer Glasgow and Dan Lacroix, sell their own clothing collections, Glasgow and Lacroix. Great finds on the horizon!

To support Aboriginal fair trade, this is the place to come! Atikuss (which means "young caribou" in the Innu language) is a member of the Artisans à l'oeuvre network and makes clothing and accessories using ancestral weaving and beading techniques. The materials are natural, from eco-responsible hunting, and everything is used, even reused, without waste. Everything is made in the country too, from mukluks to moccasins to fur hats. There is also jewelry, dream catchers and other beautiful creations.

La Well, as it's known, is the economic heart of the Verdun district. It's here that locals and visitors alike come to do their gourmet shopping, find clothes and accessories, enjoy a drink or grab a bite to eat. We recommend the VerdunLuv boutique, where you can discover local businesses and artisans who take turns with the seasons. From June to September, "the coolest street in the world" (according to Time Out magazine, 2022) is pedestrianized between ^6th Avenue and rue Régina.

Located on a very rural site, this Mansard-style four-sided barn serves as a general store. You'll find a wide selection of local and imported products, a candy store, arts and crafts from Quebec and other countries (decoration, cooking, clothing, accessories, etc.), vintage items and more. This is a must-see address to bring back gourmet and/or artisanal souvenirs from your stay in Quebec. However, plan a good time to go around all the stalls...

Custom Buzz is a custom T-shirt boutique located in Montreal. They offer in-store purchase, in-store pick-up and delivery services. The boutique is located at Carrefour Angrignon, 7077 boulevard Newman, in LaSalle, Quebec. Custom Buzz offers a wide range of customizable products such as t-shirts, mugs, masks and hoodies. The boutique offers quality personalized t-shirts made from 100% preshrunk cotton.

Still housed at the address where it was born, Archambault is a reference in the bookstore world, offering a fine selection of Quebec and foreign authors. It is a choice address for musical instruments, scores and music albums (vinyls, CDs, etc.). There are also movies and series, games and toys, a stationery corner and a host of gift items for yourself or for the home. Archambault has three other branches in Montreal and is present in several regions of Quebec.