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Capsule, located in the Yorkville neighborhood of Toronto, offers a massive selection spanning two locations, one dedicated to exclusive apparel brands like Denim by Vanquish & Fragment and Fundamental Agreement Luxury, the other solely to the most hard to find kicks out there, and boasts a well curated assortment of lifestyle products to boot. Thanks to new brands and products dropping on a weekly basis in-store, and to its well informed and helpful staff, Capsule is always a step ahead. We got to ask manager Eric Lee a few questions about Capsule to learn a little more about the shop.

How did Capsule come about and when?

We first opened Capsule as a clothing store in the outskirt of Toronto back in 2003 but we moved to our current neighbourhood of Yorkville in 2006 and added footwear. In 2013, we decided to divide the footwear and clothing store and opened a new location just for footwear. 

How big are your stores?

We currently have 2 locations. One is a footwear store and the other a clothing store

What's the neighborhood like?

I'd say Yorkville is a posh district with a lot of stores to shop.

What types of things do you sell at Capsule?

We sell footwear, street wear and accessories from various brands.

What makes Capsule special or unique?

We try to carry brands that no one else has and is unique to our store only. 

Any big changes coming up that people should know about?

A lot of new clothing brands will be coming to Capsule in the upcoming seasons.

What types of music do you play in the store?

We enjoy all types of music but we mostly play hip hop/R&B such as Kanye, MF Doom, Lauryn Hill, Sade, John Legend, etc.

Are pets welcome in your store?

Yes they are but at times there are pets that smell really bad because the owner hasn't washed it for a while. Then they stink up the whole store which we dislike. 

Do you have a favorite scent (anything goes from perfume to apples)?

I actually like most of the scents. I will say my favorite scent is OZO.

If your store was a reality TV show which one would it be like?

If we had to pick one probably pawn stars.

CAPSULE

#104-69 YORKVILLE AVE

TORONTO, ON M5R 1B8

AND

#108-29 BELLAIR ST

TORONTO, ON M5R 2CB

WWW.CAPSULETORONTO.COM

THANK YOU ERIC!

Eden is our favorite kind of shop: the kind that emerged from a lifetime of planning and development that wasn't necessarily aimed at launching a store, but was all integral to its creation in the end. It's the kind of store where the owner, Jennifer, looks carefully across the world for unique products that will make you feel good, but maybe looks even more closely at ideas from her customers whose input actually shapes the store. Eden is built on passion for connection, for curating, and helping you find just what you need to make your days a little more pleasant.

How did eden come about and when?

I’ve always been a lover of fragrance, candles and pampering products and often dreamed of having my own shop. Just like in the movie Practical Magic.

When I was little I loved playing store and often ran garage sales for my mom. I went to work at our local department store, Younkers, at age 16 and continued to play shopgirl all through high school and college. Following college I moved to Des Moines to work in the buying office, where I would meet my future husband, John, who worked in the advertising department. That job went away when in late 2002 Younkers merged with Saks, Inc. This was my chance. I never had the guts to leave my job on my own so the push out the door is exactly what I needed to follow my dream. eden opened 6 months after losing my job.

Our first shop opened on June 6, 2003, at the corner of E. 5th and Grand Avenue. 

How big is your store?

1400 square feet from front door to back door.

What's the neighborhood like?

eden is in a neighborhood called The East Village which sits at the foot of our State Capitol. This is such a gem of a neighborhood for Des Moines, bursting with niche locally owned boutiques and restaurants. It continues to grow organically and is becoming this wonderful little self-sufficient community. I feel so fortunate to be a part of it all.

What types of things do you sell at your eden?

We have a well-edited assortment of bath, baby, and home products at eden with a focus on pampering products like soap, lotion, bubble bath, perfume, and candles with a very unisex appeal. 

What makes Eden special or unique?

eden didn’t happen over night. We’ve grown very organically over the years adding lines as we get feedback from people. I strive to carry products that are hard to find in the Midwest that you’d normally have to travel to a larger market for. There’s a story behind most of the pieces in the shop, which people seem to appreciate. One of the laurel lamps was my mom’s from the 1970’s. We’ve tried hard to blend mid century modern pieces like saarinan tables and our Eames compact sofa with pieces we’ve found thrifting in Des Moines. Two of our prize pieces - the chandelier and check out counter were salvaged out of our downtown department store's (Younkers) tea room. 

Any big changes coming up that people should know about?

There’s a loft space above our shop that has been vacant for 30 years that we are finally starting to renovate. We hope to open it up for special events… First Friday parties, etc.

What type(s) of music do you play in the store?

We often turn to Songza playlists. You’ll most likely find us listening to Indie Folk & Americana on any given day.

Are pets welcome in your store?

Absolutely! We keep a doggy water bowl outside the shop as a sign that furry friends are welcome. 

Do you have a favorite scent (anything goes from perfume to apples)?

I’m a woodsy, campfire, incense, patchouli girl at heart. Basically I’m a bit of a tom boy. I’m a big fan of L'Occitane Eav des Bavx. 

If your store was a reality TV show which one would it be like?

The Real World : Des Moines

We interviewed Amy Renee from Nouvelle Nouvelle, a cozy shop located in Vancouver's coolest neighborhood. There's a balance they strike between the more rough and tumble, boundary pushing brands they carry and the softer, earthier, more pretty things also available, all in a small space that normally plays old hip hop, that works very nicely. The shop has a very modern and very inviting feel to it, and the breadth of their selection ensures that there's something for everyone. On top of that, Amy and Noah know all the best places for chow in Vancouver, so if you're ever in their hood (Gastown), stop by and ask them for food recommendations. You can tell them Blackbird sent you.

How did the Nouvelle Nouvelle come about and when?

Noah (my boyfriend and co-owner of NN) and I used to travel a lot and each city we visited had such unique and beautiful independent lines and designers that we couldn't find in Vancouver. In 2007 we opened our doors. 

How big is your store?

800 square feet

What's the neighborhood like?

Gastown is a neighbourhood full of creatives - with many small boutiques, design companies and great restaurants. Most of Vancouver is glass towers but Gastown has kept it's original details, with it's low brick buildings and narrow streets.

What types of things do you sell at Nouvelle Nouvelle?

Our focus is on independent, up and coming lines. We carry clothing for men and women as well as fragrances, candles, soap, paper goods and interesting gifts.

What makes Nouvelle Nouvelle special or unique?

The selection! We work hard to fill our shop with items that are exceptional and beautiful and that can't be found in every other shop in the city.

What type(s) of music do you play in the store?

It depends on who's working but usually lots of hip hop and dub.

Are pets welcome in your store?

Definitely - we bring our little old bulldog, Lily to work everyday. So many of our customers live in the neighbourhood and bring their dogs with them to shop - we love it!

NOUVELLE NOUVELLE

209 ABBOTT ST

VANCOUVER, BC V6B 2K7

NOUVELLENOUVELLE.COM

THANK YOU AMY!

ALOHA SUNDAY

3118 UNIVERSITY AVE

SAN DIEGO, CA 92104

(619) 269-9838

ALOHASUNDAY.COM

THANKS KAHANA & MIKE!