Cathy MerrittWhen I was a child, my parents brought me to antique stores to buy furniture and even jewelry pieces. Now that I’m an adult with my own money and apartment, I’ve picked up the same habit.
In my opinion, the items in antique stores are much more interesting than the ones in bona fide furniture stores and jewelry shops. They’re full of charm and character, and sometimes, they’re not as expensive as new furniture or jewelry pieces.
In my years of hunting antique stores in Toronto, here are the ones that I love going back!
Blackbird Vintage Finds
– From: blackbirdvintagefindsto
Address: 11 Trinity St, The Distillery Historic District
Operating Hours:
- Monday—11 am to 6 pm
- Tuesday to Sunday—11 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14166810558
Located in the heart of The Distillery Historic District, Blackbird Vintage Finds features an eclectic collection of vintage stuff. You can find classic items like cabinets and chairs, but there are also unusual things like pharmacy bottles and old kitchen scales.
I love snatching any houseware items that I can find here. I also love getting anything that seems pretty to me—even if they’re totally useless or I don’t know how to operate them.
For example, I once bought a century-old typewriter here because I didn’t think I could find something like this anywhere else. I mean, where else can I find typewriters that are more than 100 years old?
| Pro Tip: If there’s an item you want to buy but it’s sold out, send a message to [email protected]. They’ll be happy to order it for you if possible. |
Williams Design
– From: williamsdesignto
Address: 387 Keele St
Operating Hours:
- Sunday, Tuesday to Friday—11 am to 6 pm
- Saturday—11 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +16479310077
Williams Design salvages home and office furniture and other curios from old homes and offices. The best part is that they’ve been collecting for several decades now, so many of the items they’re selling are old-school—and I love that!
The collection of products is also varied. I mostly come here for the lighting fixtures and lamps, but sometimes, I buy tables and seats as well. There are also paintings and other artwork pieces that are great as decorations at home.
| Pro Tip: If you’re a filmmaker or advertiser, you might be interested to know this store has prop rentals like rotary dial telephones and refectory tables. |
The Art of Demolition
– From: theartofdemolition
Address: 390 Keele St
Operating Hours: Wednesday to Sunday—11 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14167609898
What I love about the collection of vintage items sold at The Art of Demolition is that there’s no rhyme or reason for them. You can find useful things like jars and mugs, but there are also trinkets that seem to have no purpose like heads of mannequins.
Personally, I love browsing through the books on display. Some of them are novels by authors I’ve never heard of or journals with outdated information. I find them fascinating because they’re like a time capsule of a forgotten era.
| Pro Tip: The Art of Demolition is also a custom furniture shop. The prices are also reasonable, making this perfect for people who need new furniture items but don’t have a lot of funds. |
Cynthia Findlay Fine Jewellery and Antiques
– From: cynthiafindlay.jewels.antiques
Address: 284 King St W
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday—11 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14162609057
If I’m looking for a new piece of jewelry to add to my collection, Cynthia Findlay’s shop is where I go. This shop has been operating since the 1970s, so you just know you can find many unique gems here.
I’m particularly fond of the vintage brooches and lockets here. I don’t normally wear them, but they’re always so colorful and shiny that I can’t help but add them to my collection.
This shop also has several beautiful vintage jewelry boxes. Putting my accessories inside this box always makes me feel like I’m an aristocrat during the Regency era.
| Pro Tip: Sometimes this store hosts sales for their vintage products. |
Green’s Antiques
– From: greensantiques
Address: 529 Parliament St
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—12 to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14169251556
Located in the historic neighborhood of Cabbagetown, Green’s Antiques is such a cozy store with a wide variety of vintage finds. Furniture items are the most common here, but you can also find several boxes of vintage records!
I usually get the fine china, mirrors, statues, and carpets. But lately, I’ve been eyeing the lighting fixtures and chandeliers. The only thing holding me back from buying them is the fact they’re huge and not practical since my apartment is tiny.
| Pro Tips: This store offers services in designing and resizing wedding rings. They also have repair and restoration services. In particular, they can repair and restore your treasured family heirlooms and other household items. |
Bernardi’s Antiques
– From: bernardisantiques
Address: 699 Mt Pleasant Rd
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday—11 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14164836471
If you’re a big fan of old-school European interior decor, then you’ll love checking out Bernardi’s Antiques. This shop specializes in English and French furniture, so you can find elaborate items that look like they came from the 1800s and older!
I’ve found several gorgeous oil paintings with old-school frames here. I also bought English wine coolers and Neoclassical gilt bronze urns even though I don’t have any use for them.
When I have money to spare, I also treat myself to a vintage jewelry piece. I like the rings and earrings, but sometimes, I can’t resist a shiny pocket watch.
| Pro Tip: There’s no dedicated parking lot here. If you’re driving, you have to park on the street or find a private parking space nearby. |
Of Things Past
– From: ofthingspast
Address: 185 Bridgeland Ave, North York
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14162569256
What I love about Of Things Past is that the collection of vintage items is never the same every time I visit. As a result, I always find something new and exciting that I want to buy immediately.
One of my favorite finds here is the ceramic vase on a wood stand. Not only is it pretty, but it’s also useful! I also like the candleholders I got here. I don’t use candles all the time, but these holders add so much pizzazz to my apartment.
| Pro Tip: If you have vintage items that you don’t want anymore, you can consign with this store. |
Alexandre Antique Prints, Maps, and Books
– From: rosemarymuir
Address: 593 Mt Pleasant Rd
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10 am to 6 pm
- Saturday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14163642376
Since I’m an avid reader, of course, I have to feature an antique bookstore on this list. Currently, Alexandre Antique Prints, Maps, and Books is my go-to.
I love that this store sells books that were published back in the day and are no longer in circulation these days. They give me a glimpse of what life was like back then; they also make me appreciate the power of literature, even if it’s centuries ago.
Aside from books, this store also sells maps. I’m always fascinated by old-school maps because they’re so different from the ones we have these days. In a way, poring over them makes me feel like I’m seeing a map of a fantasy land.
| Pro Tip: If there’s a particular book or map you’re looking for, you can send an inquiry to [email protected]. |
Acadia Art and Rare Books
– From: acadia_books
Address: 232 Queen St E
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday—11 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +14163647638
Arcadia Art and Rare Books is another great antique store to check out if you love books.
What I love about this store is that it’s not just books in the English language that are available. There are also books in French, Japanese, and other languages. There are even original editions of the works of famous philosophers like Francis Bacon.
In addition to books, this store offers a wide variety of art prints. I’ve bought a couple of them to decorate my bedroom and my office space, and I couldn’t be happier with the finished look.
| Pro Tip: Do you have vintage books and art prints that you’re planning to get rid of? You might want to consign with this store. |
