Local
The Best Local Shops in the Annex, Compared: Books, Vintage, Cameras and Bikes
A guide to the Annex's independent shops on Bloor Street West, from BMV Books and Seekers to Common Sort, Annex Photo and Curbside Cycle.
Bloor Street West through the Annex is one of Toronto's best stretches for independent retail, with second-hand bookstores, vintage clothing, art supplies and specialty services within a few blocks of each other. Drawing on Streets of Toronto's guide to essential Annex shops, Curiocity's neighbourhood guide and a June 2026 weekend guide to the area, here is how the local options compare.
Books and print
BMV Books at 471 Bloor Street West is described as Canada's largest bookstore for discounted and preloved books, with new and used books, records and DVDs, and Curiocity notes the flagship has been selling second-hand books since 1997. Seekers Books at 509 Bloor Street West is a Toronto landmark of well over three decades, with new and used books and a resident cat named Churchill. Presse Internationale on the same stretch specializes in international magazines and newspapers, including hard-to-find European publications and back issues. Curiocity also lists A Different Booklist, just south of Bloor on Bathurst for 30-plus years, and Thunderstruck Books for comics.
Vintage and secondhand
Common Sort at 527 Bloor Street West is a vintage and secondhand clothing shop organized by colour, which buys, sells and trades and accepts closet cleanouts for cash or store credit. Odd Thing Vintage at 390 Dupont Street sits inside Typist Café and carries vintage clothing, homewares, jewelry, records and books. Ed's Mercantile at 605 Bloor Street West is family-owned and sells vintage clothes, crochet crafts, jewelry, homewares and art, and hosts crafting workshops.
Gifts, art and hobby supplies
Juxtapose Cards & Gifts at 430 Bloor Street West is packed with cards, candles, earrings, keychains and Toronto-specific merchandise. Midoco at 555 Bloor Street West sells art supplies, office supplies, homewares, party supplies, games and science kits, with a focus on quality art products. Annex Photo at 362 Bloor Street West sells film cameras, film and accessories, and offers film developing, prints, photo restoration and slide scanning.
Practical services
Curbside Cycle at 412 Bloor Street West sells city bikes, cargo bikes and electric bikes, and offers repair and diagnostic services. Curiocity also mentions Bateman's Bicycle Company, Nella Cucina for kitchen supplies and Lloyd's Barbershop, established in 1979.
Take a break between shops
The Annex has plenty of places to pause. Jason DeLuca's weekend guide lists cafés including By The Way Café, Cộng Cà Phê, LÀ LÁ Bakeshop, Nadège Patisserie and Wildhearts Cafe, and Curiocity adds Creeds', First and Last and Future Bistro. For culture, the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema at 506 Bloor Street West is a century-old theatre, and the Tranzac at 292 Brunswick Avenue is a non-profit arts organization hosting more than 1,400 events a year. Lee's Palace is the area's long-running live music venue.
How to choose
Book lovers should start at BMV, then move on to Seekers and Presse Internationale. Thrifters can combine Common Sort, Ed's Mercantile and Odd Thing Vintage, and anyone shopping for a gift should try Juxtapose or Midoco. Photographers will want Annex Photo. The shops are concentrated on Bloor Street West between about 362 and 605, so you can cover most of them on foot in an afternoon. Hours and stock vary, so confirm with each shop before you set out.
