Local boutiques on charming streets
Winnipeg’s top shopping districts are all walkable, allowing you to go from place to place while the leaves crunch underfoot. Whether it’s the historic, tree-lined streets of The Exchange District, the door-to-door eclectic options of Osborne Village, the swank boutiques of Academy Road or the pageantry of Corydon Avenue, you’ll find proud retail owners ready to go that extra mile.
In The Exchange District, which is utterly charming in autumn, you can experience the wonder of Toad Hall Toys. Here, the shelves are brimming with some of the world’s coolest toys. For boutiques, the area has a bounty of options, including Lennard Taylor, Wilder Goods, lot.ceramics and Oldhat, where items are made from the very person selling them to you. Plus, there’s always fresh finds at spots like Haberdashery Guys & Girls, Tara Davis Studio Boutique, Into the Music and Hilary Druxman Design. Get experimental at Canada’s first-ever open-access perfume lab Denatured by mixing your own custom scents while learning all about perfumery.
Academy Road is all about fall fashions with great sets available at Mad about Style; sporty, warm “Middle Province” gear to rep Manitoba at North Flag and chic fashion at Margot + Maude. Carefully curated Grace & Company has fantastic finds for your home, as does Salt Boutique, while the brand-new Beyond The Alley Boutique at Uptown Lofts houses luxe women’s fashions, accessories and home goods. Across the street, Cornelia Bean has an extensive selection of teas and locally roasted coffee, plus with an on-site café.
In Osborne Village, one can’t-miss spot is Small Mercies. It has everything from whimsical dried and fresh-cut flower bouquets, a staggeringly beautiful selection of jewellery, bath and body products and lovely giftware. Be sure to grab a hot drink from its in-store counter and check out its handsome hidden courtyard. Other notable Osborne shops include Silver Lotus for clothes and more, Rooster Shoes and Unique Bunny—a store inspired by Japanese and Korean pop culture that is oh-so kawaii.