Here For It - Fall - Shopping

Chunky sweater season is the best season, particularly when you know those new knits are helping the local economy.

From locally owned boutiques brimming with fall fashions, to locally made goods and malls with all the best international brands, this shopping guide will have you falling for Winnipeg’s shops this autumn.

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.

Meet the makers

For a host of local stores all located under one roof year-round, head to The Forks Market.

Here, you can find handmade jewellery, housewares and accessories at dconstruct; Manitoba-made (and themed) products from Forks Trading Company; handcrafted candles from celebrated local company Coal and Canary; a great selection of books (including an abundance of local authors) from McNally Robinson; and one-of-a-kind works of ceramic art at the Jordan Van Sewell Gallery. Of note is Teekca’s Aboriginal Boutique, where you can purchase moccasins, jewellery, mukluks and art all made by Indigenous artisans.

Malls for all

We have you covered for international brands, with two of the largest shopping centres in Central Canada ready to wow you with their wares.

At CF Polo Park you’ll find Anthropologie, Apple, Aritzia, Club Monaco, Coach, Le Creuset, Lululemon, Roots and so many more, while Outlet Collection Winnipeg (OCW) features nearly 100 fashion brands all under one huge roof. OCW also has numerous services—including free walkers, wheelchairs and motorized scooters, free WiFi and family areas to make your shopping experience that much smoother.

For a full listing of local Winnipeg shops, head to our shopping website.