Kensington market an eclectic customer experience

I have avoided writing about Kensington market. Though well known for its cheap and original second-hand finds, Kensington has seemed to me, paradoxically, to be a rather predictable style experience.

In fact, if I open one more weekly publication and see yet another Toronto style maven who has purchased parts of his or her outfit from “a little shop in Kensington,” I think the vintage vamp in me may explode.

But since I’m a passionate used clothes horse — one who would never dissuade anyone from buying gently used over new — and because I wanted to honour Earth Day on April 22 and pay homage to those who reduce their ecological footprint by buying used clothing, I decided to write about Kensington.

The first shop I check out is on my must-visit list, and it doesn’t disappoint. I love the name Fresh Baked Goods. Sister store to the popular Fresh Collective on Queen St. West, it is the brainchild of Laura-Jean Bernhardson, otherwise known as the Knitting Queen, who designs and makes knitwear and other clothing for women and babies.

Bernhardson’s stores are artist-run collectives that allow local designers to showcase their wares and gain valuable market exposure. When I enter Fresh Baked Goods, artist Nadia Vasrani, who is watching the store for the day, welcomes me. As she minds the store she makes necklaces for her rouge nv collection of jewellery.

I love Vasrani’s concept on sight. Her tagline, “electrify your life”, is clever because her earrings, rings and necklaces are made from semi-precious stones mixed with non-recyclable electrical materials.

My grade 10 electronics class comes flooding back as Vasrani shows me the various capacitors, LED lights and resistors that make up her funky and whimsical collection. Necklaces range from $74 to $79 and rings are $16.

Speaking of whimsical, Bernhardson’s designs are too cute. Though best known for her knitwear, the designer’s pre-shrunk denim skirt with pink and green glittery buttons sewn onto a darling cup-shape pocket is just the sweetest thing for $89. Speaking of quirky buttons, you can buy handmade ones for $2.50 each.

274 Augusta Ave., (416) 966-0123.

My second stop is unplanned, but a basket of woven scarves at $4 each lures me in to a shop called Soma.

Sisters Indera and Padmanie Roopnarine preside in this small shop, which is packed full of cotton dresses, tops and bedding. Indera also sells dresses and tops under her Soma label.

On the Saturday afternoon I visit, a steady flow of men and women drop in looking for everything from bedspreads and pillowcases to dresses and something called fisher pants.

With only one change room, there’s a wait to try on. But an inventive group of gals come prepared: they sport tank tops under their sweaters and have no problem trying on tops in the middle of the store. The mood is fun and girlie, and the sisters get involved by making suggestions to the try-on team of girls.

Though the cotton halter dresses in crinkled cotton are darling, under $40 and come in just about every colour imaginable, the chickie try-on of the day is definitely the wrap top. There’s an entire rack dedicated to such tops, which look great on everyone and can be worn with everything from jeans on the weekend to a suit at the office. Alas, the one that rocks on me is a bit faded, and though the sisters offer to reduce it from $26 to $18, I leave it there. But I’ll be back.

28 Kensington Ave., (647) 436-0972.

Who can do Kensington without checking out Courage My Love? There’s something for everyone at Courage, which has been in the market since 1975 and is a veritable institution of vintage cool.

In addition to retro and vintage clothing and accessories, you’ll find retro lamps and vases (I spied a head vase for $30). The shop is also well known for its beads.

Although the retro cornucopia vase I see high on a shelf is alluring, the round dress rack is my deal diva destination. There’s always some inexpensive gem here, from retro shirtwaist dresses for $14 to more glamorous party-going fare. My eye lands on a 1960s mint condition cotton sateen floral print dress in fuchsia, purple, white and green. It fits me like a glove, which is good as there are no returns or exchanges at Courage — a fact that is advertised in the change rooms.

I’m especially giddy because my gorgeous find is a mere $24.

But as I pay for my dress, that deal diva thrill in me deflates. Alas, the cost of a $24 dress at Courage is no “thank you” (or even a “goodbye”) to celebrate the sale. That and having my bank card literally tossed on the counter in front of me.

Sadly — and oddly — the two people behind the cash were too preoccupied with their banter to have any regard for a paying customer (except for taking her money). My lovely dress was a deal but, in the end, the attitude at Courage My Love lacked both courage and love.

14 Kensington Ave., (416) 979-1992.

While I had some good shopping experiences at the beginning of my market sojourn, my thoughts upon leaving Kensington were this: you have to decide what you’re willing to give up for a deal. In this case, it was politeness and good customer service. I’m not so sure I can give those up next time.