Eastward Ho!
Queen Street West has long been the mecca for cutting edge designs and a bit of grit in the T-dot (and it’s still very hip). But it’s time to point your wagons in the opposite direction (especially since you’re likely to own a wagon now) if you want to feel cool and keep those kids on your hip, hip. There are so many kid-friendly spots in Leslieville and we’ve put a go-to guide together for you.
Leslievillers consider a pretty long stretch of Queen Street as their ‘hood—stretching out between Broadview and Greenwood. There are lots of fantastic spots along that strip, but the best spots for young families start just after Carlaw and run east towards Leslie.
Baby on the Hip (969 Queen Street East)
Our tour starts with the sweet store that attracted us to Leslieville in the first place a few years back. Still full of amazing natural and organic fashions and gear for the newborn to two-year old set.
www.babyonthehip.ca
Nathalie-Roze & Co (1015 Queen Street East)
If you love recycling and you love fashion, it’s worth popping in to one of the neighbourhood mom’s favourite spots. Racks full of unique Canadian designs made from recycled, reclaimed or environmentally friendly materials. They have kids’ stuff too (we loved the recycled t-shirt onesies).
www.nathalie-roze.com
Good to know: If you are expecting, Nathalie-Roze will be launching its own maternity and new mom fashion line, which will be available starting on Mother’s Day.
