Local Independant Retailers in Downtown
A while back I promised a list and description of Downtown Local independant retailers. Here they are.
The ones whose description I’m missing is World Cottage, the Asian grocery market on Pelissier, Ray and Kim’s variety and the variety in Victoria place apartments. These variety stores sell many of the residents basic needs from office supplies to fruits and vegetables to some basic hardware items. I was just downtown austin texas and thats the only residential support they had and they didn’t seem to mind. The next part of this project would be to add profiles of the owners. Make this personal, show the faces of the fellow Windsorites who we need to support for what they bring to Windsor
Capish Bling Bling - Windsor’s One Stop Hip Hop Shop
Calling all fashionistas! Capish Bling Bling is the ultimate in hip hop apparel and accessories for the modern city dweller. Featuring the latest in progressive threads, their garments fuse design, detailing and quality with originality, attitude and style. While their selection of accessories that includes sunglasses, do-rags, grillz, dog tags and handbags is quite sensational, it is their vast array of stunning and unique jewellery that truly delivers the magic. Opening with a bang in 2004, the boutique has grown in popularity and is a favourite amongst local and visiting street-savvy consumers. Hook up with them at 345 Ouellette Avenue or give them a holla at 519 253 3960.
Dr. Disc - Hottest Record Store
Specializing in the largest selection of new, collectible and hard-to-find vinyl, DVD and CD titles, Dr. Disk features music in every possible genre and format. Committed to offering quality products, competitive pricing and exceptional customer service, Dr. Disk also provides an extensive and constantly expanding range of services including new releases twice a week and dynamic in-store performances. Check out their music players, record players, old-style gramophones, and huge range of collectables and memorabilia. From rare and interesting to alternative and avant-garde, from soundtracks, blues and jazz to loose, rocky and real, visit Dr. Disk at 659 Ouellette Avenue.
Havana Heaven - Pure Smoking Pleasure
Havana Heaven is located at 21 Chatham Street East, and as its name suggests it’s the quintessential in pure pleasure, and premium cigar and tobacco products. Featuring flavourful smokes, a blend of top-quality tobaccos and aged-to-perfection, choice cigars; Havana Heaven offers superior service and exceptional value. From rich and robust to smooth and satisfying, Havana Heaven carries a vast array of imported cigars, cigarettes, tobacco and accessories. Visit them and enjoy the friendly confines and relaxing atmosphere of this quality cigar shop. Sit on their patio, light up the sky, and experience the finest in pure smoking pleasure.
Lazare’s Fine Coats & Jackets - The Hallmark of Fashion
With over 80 years in business and a wealth of international clients, Lazare’s offers a comprehensive and distinctive selection of the latest in luxury furs, leathers, shearlings, fine fabrics and accessories. Fashioned from the finest skins, their private label collection features exquisite styling in Canadian mink, beaver, muskrat, fox and more. , Blending trend and tradition, their desirable designer labels include world-renowned Zuki, Fèraud, Krio, Ozani and Blackglama. With an in-house master furrier, Lazare’s also offers remodelling, repair, cleaning and storage services. Their fabulous accessories range from shawls, scarves, gloves and sunglasses to teddy bears, cushions, and bed throws, and include a wide selection of hats - berets, trapper, brim styles and caps. Lazare’s - the hallmark of fashion!
La Casa Del Habano - Cigar Central!
An internationally registered trademark, La Casa del Habano is the property of the Corporation Habanos S.A.. Offering the finest cigar and tobacco selections and products, old world service, cutting-edge systems and a refined environment, this cigar boutique caters to the aficionado and is a pilgrimage in and of itself. Here you can indulge in the elaborate rituals of selecting a premium tobacco blend — from clipping a fine cigar; filling and tamping a beautifully aged pipe; lighting and savouring a smooth, hand-rolled cigarette — La Casa Del Habano invites you to savour the art of relaxed hospitality. Sit on their patio and enjoy rich and rewarding taste, the ambiance and aromas of some of the world’s choice tobaccos and a welcome respite from the cares of everyday life. Visit La Casa Del Habano at 388 Ouellette Avenue.
Lou Myles Disegnatore - World-Class Destination for the Discerning Buyer
With its window overlooking Chatham Street West and an array of impeccably selected and highly coveted labels including Yves St. Laurent, Christian Dior, and Armani, Lou Myles Disegnatore is the destination for the discerning buyer. The store features an extensive selection of top-of-the-line formal and lifestyle fashions for men, and is renowned for its competitive pricing, exceptional service and bespoke tailoring service. Distinguished by detail, Lou Myles offers suiting, shirting, knitwear, silk ties, cufflinks, footwear, travel gear and accessories. Enjoy a sophisticated shopping experience; visit Lou Myles at 70 Chatham Street West.
Rogues Gallery Comics- World-Class Comics, Graphic Novels, Collectibles and Pop Culture
The Rogues Gallery Comics is so much more than a comic book specialty store. Independently owned and operated, the Roques Gallery offers a comprehensive and eclectic range of all that represents geekdom: toys, games, sci-fi, movies, TV, video games and of course, comics (basically anything that got you beaten up, laughed at, or given a wedgie at school!).
Their lower level houses an extensive inventory of back-stock comics, trade paperbacks, and toys as well as games; supplies; mags; specialty items; videos; rare, vintage and signed comics; and of course Silver Age comics (ask them about their secret stash). The upstairs is devoted to gaming, reading, art classes, surfing the net and socializing.
For your online connection, visit them at www.rgcomics.com. Here you will find news, info, upcoming events and the occasional rant from one of their staff. Keep an eye out for new picks and monthly favs! For great service and even greater conversation, visit them at 327 Chatham Street West.
Royal Windsor Pharmacy - World-Class Pharmaceutical Care!
Your health is of primary concern to Royal Windsor Pharmacy owner Rocco D’Angelo. With over 30 years of pharmaceutical experience, D’Angelo offers quality healthcare; expert advice; superior service and competitive pricing. Conveniently located at Park and Pelissier Avenues, the Royal Windsor Pharmacy is renowned for its caring, community-minded environment and fast, friendly service. From coughs and colds to stomach upsets and infant care, they carry a wide range of over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and prescription drugs to meet your every need.
D’Angelo also extends his unparalleled customer service to house calls, and regularly hosts information seminars providing his clients with the most comprehensive and professional pharmaceutical care possible together with modern solutions for today’s complex healthcare environment.
Shanfields-Meyers - Windsor’s epicentre in quality, craftsmanship, selection and value
Synonymous with fine jewellery, dinnerware, china and giftware, Shanfields-Meyers is undoubtedly Windsor’s largest and finest collectible retailer. Their legendary selection of dinnerware ranges from bone china, ivory and white porcelain to stone and earthenware and is beautifully complemented by sterling silver, pewter and stainless flatware. Offering a full line of figurines by Royal Doulton, Lladro, Hummel and Swarovski to name but a few, Shanfields-Meyers also carries limited editions, discontinued and Canadian exclusives. With over 250 cut-crystal stemware patterns to choose from, their crystal department houses a wide variety of fancies such as decanters, hand-blown glass bowls, candle holders and perfume bottles. Their jewellery department features a wide selection of suberbly crafted engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, necklaces and bracelets in 14kt gold, platinum and silver. For memorable souvenirs, distinctive gifts and the experience of a lifetime, visit Shanfields-Meyers at 188 Ouellette Avenue.
The Men’s Store - World-Class Men’s Emporium
The ultimate men’s emporium offering high-end fashion and grooming labels sourced from the UK, Europe, USA and locally. The Men’s Store brings together a mix of exclusive menswear, accessories, shoes and fragrances all under one roof. From handmade shirts, pants and jeans for those who prefer distinct fashion to suiting, denim and casual smart wear that offer classic style, The Men’s Store is the trailblazer of technology, quality and craftsmanship. When it comes to image, here’s a unique store for design-conscious guys that raises the bar. Visit them at 323 Ouellette Avenue.
The Uncommon Market - A veritable treasure chest!
The Uncommon Market Gift Shop, located inside the Art Gallery of Windsor, carries a colourful blend of unique shopping opportunities. Featuring exceptional merchandise from fine books and handcrafted jewellery to choice collectibles and home décor, textiles and ceramics, their veritable cornucopia includes distinctive stationery, paper products and greeting cards. With artistic integrity, design excellence and visual art culture in mind, the Uncommon Market offers a comprehensive range of beautifully designed products, gift items and exotic treasures. Visit them at 401 Riverside Drive West.
Tags: Downtown, Downtown development, independant retail, Independent retailers
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You forget another great retailer…Lou Myles men’s wear. There is also a women’s retail shop on Ouellette near Park (can’t remember name).
World Cottage has an eclectic inventory of Indian/Pakistani trinkets, rock shirts, leather jackets…
But hey! You got Ray & Kim’s so downtown must be great!
(the latter is a dig for fun Mark
)
No offense, but I think that Luxury Fur Shop- Lazare’s Fine Coats & Jackets does not deserve to be promoted on your list of great retailers because it’s not a sustainable industry and frankly is not a positive business by any means. I realise they’re trying to convince people that “fur is green” when actually, fur is greed (and death) and full of harmful chemicals. That’s just my two cents
Lazare’s does carry coats too. They had to diversify after they lost a lot of U.S. customers. I don’t agree with fur either but I do think that they are a unique stop in our city, especially for U.S. visitors who are looking for that type of thing. They do repairs and re purposing too so say your grandma gave you her old fur coat you could have it made into a stuffed animal, a stole, gloves, etc. Obviously you wouldn’t want that but someone might find that a unique way to keep a memory.
I’m pretty disappointed with this list. Ray and Kim’s left out, Casa Chavela left out, yet you profile places like Bling bling and a fur shop? The uncommon market, an independent shop? You profile them when they’re in a Gallery but leave out a local shop like Casa Chavela who’s been around for years.
Darren and ayesha - thanks for the corrections, comments and reminders.
As for disappointment, lighten up a bit. I’d dock my pay but don’t get any
Copywriting does not come that easy for me and I welcome help with any of the write-ups
As you can see rumours of retails death downtown is exaggerated. Now let’s turn these businesses into destinations and attractions
I guess I would of had a different list, but it’s all a matter of personal view I guess. Even the Coffee Exchange is doing great and hasn’t let Starbucks slow him down like in other places such as Toronto where Starbucks drives out the indie shops. There’s that book store across from Maiden Lane too, but I never can remember the name. This weekend downtown was so packed on Saturday and you wouldn’t know there was a recession. Even the bike racks were full and in use. Artcite is another long standing downtown location that is non-profit and artist run that you forgot to mention, but I guess you were going more for the retail. Milk, Phog, Pause Cafe and many more are ones I would of included as well.
No worries, hospitality is part 2 as there are so many locations
I’m liking the themes of ” you want italian you have Erie, you want the whole world, come downtown” or “downtown dining - a carrousel of nations 365 days a year”
Forgetting casa, the bookstore and artcite (which I thought of as a gallery but they do sell the art) were stupid oversights. This list and descriptions will get updated and hopefully utilized by the via or other promoters
I think downtown passed a hump or something recently. Especially with the closing of the Box Office. I hope something new will start to grow now. I remember downtown going through cycles like this since I was a child. This most recent one was my least favorite. But I still have hope for downtown. It’s why I always spend my time.
there is also the womens clothing shop ‘Awesome’ which opened somewhat recently.
Here is my two cents. Considering you barely hit double digits for naming retail in downtown (and that 2 are cigar shops and another is a pharmacy), I really don’t consider that a success story of downtown Windsor.
My personal opinion is that the DWBIA should at the moment invest time and money in lurnig entrepreneurs in the core and have them open up all at the same time and all in a row. With all the vacancies downtown, this shouldn’t be too hard to do.
The retail in our core is too spread out from one another to really come close to being labelled a good retail district. The focus needs to be put on getting new local retail businesses to cluster together to give them a fighting chance.
Can’t the DWBIA put together a program to provide free training and resources (money and knowledge) to local entrepreneurs at the exchange they sign a contract and agree to locate downtown and possibly even at a location decided upon by the DWBIA?
You need clusters of retail! No one likes to walk 10 minutes between each shop.
I would suggest to everyone who sees Mark’s list as lacking, that you do up a description comparable to the ones Mark has listed and get them to him so that they get out there in the public sphere where they belong.
I know Mark is compiling these indie retailers for a special project of his, and if I know Mark it will be done well. So, get your suggestions and descriptions to him so he can compile a complete list.
I offered up ‘Awesome’
I’ll try to think of more and send them along.
Don’t forget Dani Bobb on Pellissier
“Step into the serene and giggle your head off while you get possibly THE best haircut in the city.” I love Dani Bobb’s (especially James)…NEVER disappointed in the service. It would be good to include him considering how long he has been downtown.
Hey Adriano, you say doube digits isn’t impressive, add to that all the ones I’ve missed and then tell me which BIA exceeds it? I’m sure you migt find one but my point is not that Downtown Retail is thriving, only that it is not as dead as many believe.
Thanks Margaret, I didn’t cover any of the hair salons of which Downtown is filled with. Not to mention Professional services such as Legal, Accounting and others.
Oh, I agree Mark. It’s not DEAD, but it definitely isn’t close to being healthy. As I mentioned in the last comment I made, the retail is to far spread out to act as a cohesive unit to lure shoppers.
The DWBIA should definitely be looking into the suggestions I made above if they are possible.
Yourself having been a past chair, could you tell me if it is possible?
Just wanted to say it was good to see you at the thing tonight at the katzman lounge, and phog after. Wish all the bloggers could of met up and talked more. We were at the table in the back, but Tom kept all the talk close to the bar. Posted about it on my photo site http://photo404.com Very disappointing night there as there was no mention of bloggers at an event called “The Future of News”.