Shops We Love: Old Faithful Shop

Toronto’s Old Faithful Shop may be small, but with so many enticing curiosities (from balsam-scented incense to grapefruit-hibiscus cocktail syrup) and home accessories (think wool throws, hand-stitched aprons and vintage-style desk lamps), you could browse for hours. Owners Walter Manning and Savannah Olsen opened the original shop in Vancouver nearly five years ago.

When they found themselves constantly shipping purchases to Toronto, the pair decided that Queen Street West would be an ideal home for an outpost. They found the perfect space through Craigslist — a 100-year-old building that formerly housed a vintage clothing shop — and renovated to create an open, sun-filled space with white-panelled and exposed-brick walls. On a recent trip, Walter designed and built some pendant lamps to hang in the store and put the extras on the floor, where they quickly sold out. Now, he plans to launch a line of his own designs in a range of colors. “Whenever we can put our own touch on something, I get excited,” he says. “It adds another dimension to our shop when we create our own products.”

Located at 886 Queen St. W., Toronto.