IN A FLASH
Leaving holiday shopping to the last minute??
If the idea of hitting up boutiques in the cold or dealing with an overcrowded mall has you overwhelmed, Bayview Village Shopping Centre may be your best bet for one stop shopping. Only 400,000 square feet in size, Bayview Village is a space of well-edited shops that avoids feeling overwhelming. Having undergone a recent renovation, the shopping centre has the feel of a boutique hotel with wide walkways, and a valet, concierge. Retail award winners GHA Design Studio spearheaded the reno and took to using only Canadian designers and architects for the redesign, the centerpiece being a custom lighting installation/chandelier crafted from hand-made Swarovski crystals created by Lumid Lighting.
For last minute holiday gifts, FrontRowMag.com recommends the following itinerary:
Start the day at Oliver & Bonacini Café Grill. Don’t be afraid to tuck into the to-die-for mac and cheese, you’ll need the carbs for to shop (shopping is cardio, right?).
Our favourite gift-giving store is Teatro Verde and co-founder Shawn Gibson recommends picking up yummy Crabtree & Evelyn shortbread cookies in a collector tin ($30), coffee table books by Assouline ($50-$200), or Toy of the Year winning item, Buckey Balls ($37.50). These magnetic little balls are addictive to fiddle with, all while creating different shapes. Gibson also recommends a set of six champagne flutes ($120) or ice bucket ($399) that can be found in the Veuve Clicquot Boutique.
Post shop, stash your bags off at the concierge desk to do some retail therapy of your own. Stop by Canadian designer NADA’s boutique or by judith & charles (by the founders of Teenflo) for something to wear to those holiday and New Years Eve parties. Swing by Davids or Ron White as well for a special treat for your feet.
After picking out your holiday outfit, pop by The Village Spa, to unwind with a therapeutic massage ($45-$100) and pick-up some snacks at Pusateri’s (the red velvet cupcakes are highly recommended!) before heading home.
Bayview Village Shopping Centre is located at 2901 Bayview Avenue in Toronto. Hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 9pm, Saturday 9:30am to 6pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm.
