Getting ready to head back to New York after spending the holidays with family in Toronto. The Canadian stereotypes held true, as we were blasted with snow for much of the last few weeks of December. Still, it was a nice time to relax and catch up with some of our favorite people — and favorite stores — in the city.

Last week, we dropped by Lileo in the Distillery District, to grab a morning coffee and chat with founder Syd Beder about his store. Beder is the man behind the Indian Motorcycle company (remember them?) and was also responsible for bringing yoga line Lululemon to Toronto. His latest venture is a converted 7000-square foot space filled with carefully curated clothing, books and accessories.

Lileo (named after astronomer Galileo) is equal parts gallery space and market emporium, with high ceilings and wooden beams inviting natural light into the store, while sturdy tables and antique racks provide the perfect place to display the merchandise. The store reminded us of New York boutiques in many ways, with an emphasis on subtle design and quality rather than on hype and big name brands. Beder’s staff has also taken time to write a paragraph about the piece and designer on each individual price tag, allowing the customer to fully understand and appreciate his or her purchase. 

Nomad is a tiny store we wandered into on Richmond Street, just off Spadina and it felt a little like walking into an impeccably well-dressed man’s private closet.

The cozy studio space is minimal is design but ambitious in its offerings, with brands like APC, Filippa K, Rogan, Surface to Air and Supreme. We loved the laid-back cool vibe of the store and its employees, and we love that Torontonians have yet another place to find those coveted threads. We spotted a pair of Common Projects boots on sale that we might just have to grab before we head back to New York.

Adrift Skate Shop was a favorite of the Kensington Market crowd when it opened back in 2004. This spring, Mike Frost and his team moved into a new location on Spadina, just south of Queen.

Whereas the old space was crowded and gritty and featured a skate-park out back, the new digs promote a cleaner, more spacious aesthetic, with a focus on retail. Shoes and hats are neatly displayed on light cedar shelving, while rows of decks line the walls like an urban gallery springing to life. It’s something Frost says is intentional, as he moves to reclaim Adrift’s position as a mecca for both the skate and artistic community. The store is hoping to keep old and new fans coming, by holding monthly gallery shows and events — and of course by making sure the store-sponsored skate team always looks good on the ramps.