The Beaches Int’l Jazz Festival is back in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood with The Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside on July 6-8th, this year with an amazing new BLOCK PARTY!!! Check out Riverside’s unique and eclectic shops while you enjoy the live tunes happening on Saulter, Boulton, De Grassi and more.
Riverside is known for its small-town-in-the-big-city atmosphere. It has attracted a mix of unique independent shops owned by folks who are passionate about what they do. During the Beaches International Jazz Festival’s The Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside, (and everyday!) we’re inviting you to come out and meet the businesses owners, artisans and unique personalities – here are just a few highlights of what you’ll find in Riverside along Queen Street East from Saulter St to De Grassi St!
ARTS MARKET – 790 Queen St E
A one-of-a-kind shopping experience and rated as one of the top markets in Toronto, the Arts Market is definitely a shop to be reckoned with. With 50+ vendors, all under one roof, it’s a fab place to get gifts of any type for others or yourself!
COMMON SORT – 800 Queen St E
With consignment and thrift shops being all the rage in today’s day and age, Riverside has a shop that is unlike any other. Offering the best of in-season second-hand items, all-year round, Common Sort is a go to place for fashionable items in excellent condition, but at a fraction of the cost.
IRISH DESIGN HOUSE – 756 Queen St E
The Irish Design House is a unique gem in the Riverside neighbourhood. A Toronto based store that showcases handmade Irish crafts and fashion from various areas of Ireland, it’s one-of-a-kind. Run by partners Sinéad Clarke, a knitwear designer, and Benny Corrigan, a graphic designer, their passion for design and quality handmade products drove them to bring Irish design to Toronto.
TINY RECORD SHOP & TOKEN – 804 Queen St E
Specializing in rare and vintage high-end records and merchandise, Tiny Record Shop (TRS) is anything but your average record shop. With a large arrangement of vinyl records spanning over decades and genres, Tiny Record Shop is a treasure to the Riverside area. The Riverside neighbourhood store supplies to a niche market within a niche market.
Located at 804 Queen Street East, Tiny Record Shop can be found in the back half of the building, with their other store Token in the front half, where you’ll find many unique trinkets and gifts ranging from bags to home items to personal accessories.
BRIKA – 768 Queen St E
BRIKA is the city’s own version of Etsy, offering a curated selection of modern gifts, artisan crafts, home decor goods and accessories, along with information about the people who make them. Their products are of heirloom quality, making them a joy to give (and receive!). In addition to beautiful, well-crafted goods, you’ll find inspiration within their creative community.
With all these great options (and more!) available during The Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside, it’s definitely hard to pick just one, but not to worry, you’re always welcome back for more! Be sure to snap and share a picture of your experience in any of our neighbourhood spots with hashtag #RiversideTO.
The Riverside Eats & Shops is your handy everyday guide to some of Riverside’s best, including:
- Riverside Brunch Spots
- Shop Riverside
- Take a Lunch Break in Riverside
- Riverside’s Dinner and Late-Night Spots
Big thanks to Beaches International Jazz Festival for bringing the awesome Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside to Riverside!