Stockmarkt

On the corner of Notre Dame Ouest and Charlevoix last Monday, I found myself in what some could call a bit of a conundrum. Post hot yoga and feeling spiritually cleansed (with insensible water losses to match), I was about to get into my car when I found myself staring at the colorfully appointed store windows of the new boutique, STOCKMARKT, across the street. Curiosity peaked, I was overcome by a sudden sense of guilt; wasn’t I, just a few minutes prior, happily Om-ing my way to a state of material riddance? “But look at that branding…” I debated to myself, as I glanced over the car hood. “So nice, kind of Scandinavian…” I couldn’t help myself; with temptation mounting, I quickly scanned my surroundings for any ultra-zen yogis who’d surely disapprove (none…Phew!) and scurried across the street into the store at rapid speed. 

Once in the safe confines of this minimalist retail haven, I was happily surprised to find many of my favourite brands, heavily discounted. “This is going to be a problem,” I said to myself, with Filippa K, Acne, James Perse, and Maison Katsune, all at 30-40% off. But Eric Teo, the store’s general manager, immediately put me at ease, starting up friendly conversation while I scoured the racks for my next best wardrobe addition. 

It didn’t take long to find out that this Little Burgundy outlet is the retail hybrid of Westmount’s Want Apothecary and James Perse. Their tried and tested formula of mixing womens and menswear with well-curated concept items, like graphic boxes and stationary from Danish brand HAY, toothpaste from my favourite Italian brand Marvis, and great books and accessories to match (including those from brands like Swims and Want Les Essentiels de la Vie), is used again here. And how can one go wrong with these great prices to match? Even when I stumbled into my yoga instructor on the way out (she was carrying fresh yellow flowers from the atwater market, while I was carrying fresh purchases from stockmarkt) my guilt had evaporated. I mean, really, what purchases are more guilt free than those from your favourite brands at almost half off? None. All hail the opening of stockmarkt!

Boutique STOCKMARKT   |   2664 Rue Notre Dame O   |    Montreal, QC   |  

(514) 439-5575

www.boutiquestockmarkt.com

Want Apothecary

Westmount recently welcomed the Want Apothecary, a concept store that opened its doors to Sherbrooke Ouest last spring. Owned by Dexter and Byron Peart, the fashionable twins you may have seen while perusing GQ and the sartorialist, the store is so classic its cool, featuring a well curated collection of quality brands and grooming products, not to mention their own terrifically elegant accessories line, WANT les essentiels de la vie. 

Despite racks filled with modern labels like Acne, Nudie jeans, Filippa K and Maison Katsune, the store has a distinctly traditional feel, recapturing the essence and retail experience of a bygone era with aged herringbone floors, custom-designed dark oak tables and Roll & Hill smoked bulb chandeliers. The pharmacy style finishings make for a perfect setting to display body-care products from AESOP and Ursa Major Skincare, and fine scented candles from French brand Astier de Villatte.

The best in store, however, goes to the duo's own WANT les essentiels de la vie, a line of undeniably timeless travel and leather goods that combine both traditional design elements with modern day functional sensibility. The Trudeau bag, for example, is handcrafted in Italy and will house your macbook, iPhone, and documents with room to spare. I recently scored one up at a sample sale and have been in love with its masculine aesthetic and incredible functionality. I also recently picked up their black Naritta zipped iPad case for my father's birthday, and I can't tell you how cute it was to see him all proud, zipping open the soft leather case and wiping down the screen with the accompanying cleaning cloth so that he can read the news on his favourite new gadget. Now I can't stop dreaming about their O'Hare Tote Bag for work. Ahhh, a line that appeals to multiple generations... I love.

The WANT Apothecary   |   4960 Rue Sherbrooke W   |   Westmount (Montreal), QC   |   H3Z 1H3   |

(514) 484-3555

www.facebook.com/wantapothecary

Boutique Tozzi

I'm not sure what has been happening to Crescent street as of late but I will say that I am liking every bit of it; Alessi, Nespresso, Shan swimwear, and now the unveiling of Joey Tozzi's new menswear boutique, Tozzi, has the street on a stylish upswing. 

The supercool, streamlined shop, designed by architect Gabriel Kakon, showcases scandinavian staples (Filippa K, J lindberg, Acne) and amazing accessories, with sunglasses from YSL, Carrera and Marc Jacobs, and footwear from Box fresh, creative recreation, and J shoes.

Tozzi also showcases a cool line-up of local brands; here you'll find graphic, supersoft tees from Montreal based Roussel and Hip & Bone, as well as denim by Naked & Famous, a line that imports fabric from Japan before manufacturing the collection in Quebec city's oldest shirt factory. How cool is that? These designers alone make this new Crescent street gem worthy of a visit. 

Boutique Tozzi   |   2115 Crescent Street   |   Montreal, QC, H3G 2C1   |

(514) 285-2444

www.boutiquetozzi.com