After years of involvement in the Toronto retail scene, Lisa Anderson recently launched her own fashion and housewares store in the Distillery District. Mint Boutique opened its doors last December, just in time to ring in the New Year of 2013 in style. Nestled beside the new condominium development on Cherry Street and Tank House Lane, Mint Boutique lives on Rack House Mews in the core of the Distillery. This new addition to the historical Distillery District is an embodiment of the neighbourhood’s multi-dimensional nature as not only a rich destination for tourism, but also a thriving community to live. Mint Boutique always stocks new merchandise, so that local Distillery dwellers can rely on swinging by the shop to find fresh style staples.
Lisa’s bright assistant, Zandra testifies that Lisa truly pulls from the relationships she has made in the industry. Her fashion expertise and brand knowledge are reflected in all the unique pieces offered in the store. Lisa puts her heart into researching and selecting all of the ready-to-wear fashion, accessories and housewares by hand. She supports local artisans and thoroughly learns all the brands, so customers can buy confidently from Mint.
Mint features both local artisans and high profile brands, like Nicole Richie’s House of Harlow Accessories
The boutique features a balance of both high profile labels and more classified brands. Some of the well-known designers include 7 for All Mankind, Splendid and Nicole Richie’s House of Harlow. Mint Boutique also features some designers that are exclusive to Toronto, as well as other unique brands.
Among the more exclusive brands available at Mint is Mar y sol, whose bright handbags and accessories are handmade in Madagascar and translate beautifully to summer in the city. Mint Boutique is also proud to offer Alternative Apparel, which is known for easy-to-wear, unisex styles, and its refusal to use harsh dyes and sweat shops.
Mar y Sol’s spring-coloured handbags translate beautifully to summer in the city
The brand MZ Wallace was the brainchild of two New York design students inspired to create women’s diaper bags to meet the standards of both practicality and style. Designed by women for women, Mint offers several of the Teflon-coated nylon pieces that are even complete with fuchsia interiors to combat the eternal challenge of losing items in the depths of one’s purse.
Whether the pieces are from well-known brands or local artisans, all of them are meant to last. Mint Boutique is committed to offering the ultimate fashion staples that can be worn and loved forever.
Also offered on Mint’s shelves are a unique variety of housewares. Artistically shaped oil and vinegar carafes are hand-blown in New York by NYCruets. These elegant pieces are perfectly complimented by cheese boards made by The Toy Maker of Lunenberg. The Nova Scotia based company designs cutting boards using actual planking used in the restoration of the Lunenberg, the Canadian iconic ship that has been pictured on the dime since 1937.
Hand-blown oil & vinegar dispensers displayed beside cheese boards crafted from actual planking used in the Lunenberg restoration
Currently, Mint Boutique is preparing for a pop-up art show on May 16, during which the store will host Toronto artist and designer, Lori Harrison, with her latest work. The idea is to kick off Artfest in the Distillery, for customers to meet the artist, sip some wine at the reception, and enjoy the beautiful artwork and fashion. This art show follows up Mint’s successful Step Into Spring event in March, where the store featured a nail pampering station and the opportunity to explore the shop’s brands with friends.
Lisa and Zandra of Mint Boutique are excited to bring retail therapy to growing Distillery, and are not deterred by the condo project occurring outside the front door. Since its grand opening, Mint has been welcomed by the neighbourhood’s familial community of creative businesses, tweeting and cross promoting one another online. With Cherry Street being rerouted in the fall, with a new entrance complete with a TTC stop to link the city’s east and west ends, Mint Boutique is set to lie in the heart of the action. The talented women behind Mint are excited to see the Distillery’s restoration and expansion being “done right.” Once it’s complete, they are looking forward to enjoying the full effect of Mint Boutique’s prime location.
Post written by Alex Franceschini on April 25, 2013.
That’s how and why Segway of Ontario selected the Distillery District as a convenient base of operations in Toronto. The cobblestone courtyards and alleys here are considered private property and off limits to most vehicles except bicycles and handcarts. The Segway scenic tours entice Distillery visitors to glide around the compound and have that unique two-wheeled locomotive experience as they learn interesting facts about the historic property and its whiskey distilling heritage along the way.
Charlotte Jenkins, the Operations Manager at Gotstyle works with the Design Agency to give the new location its striking appearance. A huge glowing angel with rope light wings presides over the store from the 2nd story balcony. There’s a vintage barbershop, and a billiards table in here, and a groom room is set aside for wedding consultations.
Charlotte explained to me that they made the decision to sell Ladieswear because of the number of female shoppers in the Distillery. Most of these ladies are pushing baby carriages. Indeed, parents are encouraged to ‘drop and shop’ here too, and while I chatted with Charlotte I noticed two mothers shepherding their toddlers toward an interactive play area before they sauntered off to browse the latest looks.
The historic building, with its new address fixed at 21 Trinity St. also enjoyed a makeover. The interior was redesigned by a Design agency and then overhauled by Woodbecker before Gotstyle moved into the structure last fall. New design elements were added, including a distinctive herringbone patterned hardwood floor, and durable hardwood shelves and kiosks. Vintage birch and reclaimed wood are mixed with marble accents and contemporary lighting to give a sense of familiarity and comfort. Charlotte tells me that they intend to use the front patio in the summertime and will definitely be employing a live DJ to spin records and make the perfect hipster shopping ambiance.
This young man is the voice of Gotstyle social media, which is 
The 2012 
It was this blue sign outside the north entrance that brought me into Hästens again. Years ago, I used to cut through this store just to get to the other side of the Fermenting Cellar bldg. I didn’t know any better route. Yesterday, a bright blue sign brought me back.
On thing I remember from my short cut days was to always pick up my feet when I came through the north entrance of the Hastens store, because there was a cement rise in the floor there and it was a half step up into the surface of the room. But now I see the hazard has been minimized by the artful positioning of a really thick rug. Hastens means horses in Swedish. While on horseback, the actor Russell Crowe playing Maximus, the General of Rome’s Imperial Legions in Germany, told his troops before the great battle at the start of the movie Gladiator that if they should find themselves suddenly riding in the green pastures of Elysian Fields then they should ride on, for they are already dead. It was so quiet inside this restful store. Too quiet I thought, as I looked around at the conspiracy of comfortable beds. They are like lily pads to my narcoleptic tendency toward noontime naps – yes I steal siestas to gain strength to work all afternoon and evening, and so this store suddenly held an odd fascination. When I looked up I could see I was being observed, by a respectful attendant.
He showed me a giant crosscut diagram of the handmade mattress composition and told me that the rows of black and white animal fibers are wool and horse hair respectively, and it all works together to regulate the temperature of the bed and a human body. The bed’s unique composition is extremely comfortable and prevents folks getting either too hot or cold in their sleep cycles. It all works so well because the natural fibers breath as they conform to the body as visualized in this graphic poster.
Sleep in a Hästens bed is more restorative and rejuvenating. It brings you natural energy, an improved mood and a more youthful appearance, each night and every day. The benefits of sleep extend into your improved life through greater health and happiness.
The two merchandisers are expecting large numbers of people to wander into the venue during the upcoming Toronto Christmas Market. Even though some people might just be taking a shortcut to the north parking lot, they will be impacted by how gorgeous the store looks during the holidays. Good job guys!
Distillery blog readers, if you see Nicholas during the Toronto Christmas Market say hello and ask for a special discount.
The Christmas tree is certainly the focal point of the Loews’ Toronto Christmas Market but other hot spots include the stage shows and audience viewing area under the clock (which is a good meeting place or a place to meet if you get separated from family or friends btw), and Rudolph’s Reindeer Zoo, and Santa’s house which is always hidden away at the end of a shrub maze that’s guarded by Santa’s roaming elves. There is great shopping, specialty beer and mulled wine gardens, sweets and treats, and all the great Distillery District restaurants
This Gingerbread house is the first piece of Rudulph’s Reindeer Zoo to appear… the fences are next.
This is Steve Levinson’s first major exhibit in Toronto in ten years! And there will be lots of people on hand to welcome him back to the walls.
Interviewing slender, soft-spoken Jessica Rose in her beautiful, whitewashed Distillery boutique (studio 102 of the Case Goods Warehouse) was an absolute pleasure. That’s because, aside from her clothes being breathtaking, her passion for what she does is contagious. It translates into a positive vibe that mesmerizes consumers.
For most body types (ones not void of imperfections, à la Sofia Vergara), Jessica creates dresses, tops, and skirts that are fitted in the arms and busts, and forgiving in the tummy area. “By accentuating just above the waist” she tells me, “you create that polished, styled look and give the appearance of a leaner midsection.” That “wiggle room” allows ladies to go through life a little more worry-free; feeling able to eat that piece of cake or strut their stuff on the dance floor. For taller, slimmer ladies, she suggests wearing tighter clothes and taking advantage of their good fortune (or hard work at the gym!) by highlighting areas others are not advised to flaunt.
Leif graduated George Brown’s three-year program as an award-winning honours student, and was immediately accepted as an Artist in Residence in the metal studio at the 