Many of the items that you see in Atelier 688 are reclaimed materials that have been recreated into a state that you wouldn’t normally see them in. Some examples include a vintage kayak chandelier, a snowboard bench, vintage birdcage lanterns or the ‘Toro’ bicycle seat skulls that are hung on the walls. Each item is a one of a kind piece of art. Featured artists that Alex is working with include Zac Ridgely (of Ridgely Studio Works), Bradley Denton (the designer behind the eateries Czehoskis, The Harbord Room and Le Petit Castor), Christopher Roberts (of Drawnonward group fame), Matthew Hunter (from Television’s the Re-Inventors), Vanessa Li (fresh off a succesful show of sculpture at the Kitchener arts centre) and Michael Greenwood (of Greenwood Studio who creates intricate wood pieces). Atelier 688 is a place for art lovers and interior designers alike. So if you are looking for something truly different and unique to spruce up your living environment, be sure to check out Atelier 688.

Now situated in Yorkville, it was surprising to find out (after a chat with Gogo) that making crêpes was something she never imagined doing. Leaving behind her home in Paris, Gogo was an actress/director swinging by Toronto on her way to Hollywood. The idea of crêpe making came from her brother, who suggested she distribute crêpe machines from Paris around Toronto. But instead, Gogo took it upon herself to rent a small storefront and open her very own café. After many trial recipes, she finally found the perfect one. Unlike traditional soft and fragile crêpes-the ones from Crêpes à GoGo have character, rustic in appearance and taste, but full of a delicate soft chewiness. Favourites include their signature ‘Big Ben’, a crêpe filled with raspberry jam and mozzarella-a perfect marriage of two very simple ingredients, and the ‘Parisienne’, a combination of egg, swiss cheese, mushroom, red onion and dill. Aside from their signature crêpes, one of their popular drink innovations is the Limonana, a blend of mint and lemon that can be enjoyed hot or cold, now sold in specialty food stores like Pusateri’s. As well, their café is a place for social gatherings, an escape reminiscent of Gogo’s hometown Paris, and a display of her love of film and art. Swing by when you get a chance, Gogo is the friendliest café owner you’ll ever meet.

To see the full menu, visit the Crêpes à GoGo Facebook page.

The sisters themselves had a keen interest in designed and delightful items inside the home. As well, they loved to hold parties and to entertain guests, so it was not by chance that they stumbled onto this path. Their business consists of three streams – retail, rental and service. Their retail store offers stylish and sophisticated home décor items sourced from all over Canada, the U.S. as well as overseas. Cry If I Want to also offer party rentals of items with a modern and contemporary flair. Lastly, if that weren’t enough, they offer décor and styling services if you need help organizing that next party or celebration.

The soap designs are very unique and personal. Demo Soap Studio offers a dessert-inspired line where the soaps are designed to replicate cakes, brownies, fortune cookies with personalized messages and customizable cupcakes. The soaps are all handmade at the store. You can even see how the soaps are made right in front of your eyes. As well, Demo Soap Studio also offers workshops for you to make your own soaps. And as good as their soaps look, just remember not to eat any!

Design, Art, and Technology; the interaction, crossover and dialogue between these often-thought unrelated disciplines is constantly advancing, resulting in new aesthetic boundaries. The exciting areas created by these changes are the focus of this unique retail environment. Function13 offers a carefully curated selection of books, zines, T-shirts, music and posters that bridge the divide between analogue/digital and art/design. They focus on works from around the world, but have built up a strong collection of goods by local artisans. Function13 is also the flagship store for IdN and YouWorkForThem in Canada.

Function13 opened its doors in September of 2007, under the patronage of F.I.T.C. (Flash in the Can), as the retail part of the Element 156 Media Center. Function13 used to share floor space with Pixel Gallery, Toronto’s first and only interactive immersive art gallery, which is now Function13 Gallery. The store also shares the building with the Rich Media Institute, which has a wide variety of classes in everything from advanced coding and web development to Ableton Live intros and DIY electronics. Several graphic designers and FITC also have offices in the building, which all do their part in adding to the creative and progressive environment of the space.

Good Egg’s retail store, located in Kensington Market, also doubles as a cooking school.  They offer classes for home cooks taught by energetic professionals.

Registries for any occasion are also available.

Good Egg is open seven days a week from 11 – 6.  Please check their website for extended hours during the holiday season.