Supporting Local Businesses In Roncesvalles This Summer

When talking about our favourite west end Toronto neighbourhoods (which, we find ourselves doing quite often), it never takes long for the community of Roncesvalles to come up in discussion.

With seemingly countless examples of stunning heritage Toronto architecture on display, an ample collection of leafy local parks and green spaces, a warm and welcoming neighbourly vibe, and a fantastic selection of local schools, Roncesvalles is a neighbourhood that truly has it all.

And that doesn’t even begin to mention the bustling commercial strip that Roncy coins its name from, Roncesvalles Avenue. While most of the quiet sidestreets in Roncy are strictly residential, Roncesvalles Avenue is primarily comprised of the neighbourhood’s many thriving individual shops, businesses, restaurants, and cafes, which we’ve fallen more and more in love with over time.

To help shine more of a light on a few of our favourite local businesses and (hopefully) encourage you to visit some you haven’t yet, we’re profiling which local businesses in Roncesvalles we’re planning on supporting this summer and beyond.

I DEAL Coffee

There’s no better way to start your day than with a nice strong espresso-based drink — well, unless you’re a devoted tea drinker. Whatever your preferred method for getting your inaugural fix of caffeine at the start of the day is, you can depend on I DEAL Coffee at 221 Sorauren Avenue in Roncesvalles to sort you out.

Located right at the corner of Wright and Sorauren Avenues, this charming little coffee shop is just one street east of the lively Roncesvalles Avenue, quietly tucked away from all the action of the neighbourhood’s busiest strip. Perhaps this was a strategic choice, as it can be difficult to cope with the hectic world before your first coffee of the day. Or, I DEAL Coffee prefers to serve clientele who are willing to head slightly off course for a more elevated coffee experience.

Whatever the reason I DEAL Coffee set up shop just around the corner from Roncy’s main commercial street, we love how cozy their little cafe is. And when their front patio space is open for use in the summer months, we love it even more.

For some of the best coffee anywhere in the city, a delicious assortment of wonderful healthy (and not-so-healthy) baked goods, an eclectic selection of pantry staples, and a very trendy bottle shop complete with some fascinating wines, I DEAL Coffee is always one of our first stops when in Roncy.

Has Roncesvalles captured your attention — and potentially your heart? Learn more about this fantastic west end neighbourhood and what you can expect to find here in our Roncy-related posts below.

Home Smith

As professional Realtors®, it takes everything we have not to pop into every tasteful home design store we see. However, we somehow always find that Home Smith at 309 Roncesvalles Avenue is too hard to resist whenever we’re passing by.

This perfectly curated home decor store just north of Geoffrey Street offers an eclectic mix of home goods, including everything from paint, paintings, books, bed and bath goods, decorative objects, lightings, small furniture, and much more.

In fact, it’s impressive just how many beautiful things Home Smith can fit into their elegantly staged storefront space. No matter what kind of functional or decorative piece your home might be missing, there’s a great chance you’ll find just what you’ve been searching for at Home Smith. Whether it’s a soap dish, a coffee table book, a new area rug, or a stunning antique mirror, there’s so much to fall in love with here if you’re as into stylish home design as we are.

Open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, make sure you make a point to stop by and say hi on our behalf the next time you’re in the area.

Making your home your own is one of the most fulfilling feelings a homeowner can have. Here are a few home styling tips and tricks we’ve been paying close attention to recently:

Cookery

Just a few doors down from Home Smith is another one of our favourite home shops in Roncesvalles, except this one focuses on design-oriented gadgets and items for one room in particular; the kitchen.

Cookery at 303 Roncesvalles Avenue is Roncesvalles’ go-to shop for all of your kitchen essentials, stocking all of the toys, tools, and utensils you could ever need to throw a fantastic three-star dining experience right in your very own home.

Seriously, Cookery on Roncy has everything from the basics to the extravagant, fulfilling any kitchen need you may have. The biggest reason we love Cookery, however, is because essentially everything they sell is beautiful.

No matter if it’s cutlery, glassware, a paper towel holder, or a set of cheese knives, everything this beautiful little boutique sells will make your kitchen look better and feel more enjoyable to be in. If your kitchen is the heart of your home, it deserves to be dressed up just as much as any other space.

See how Cookery can help you make ‘tasty’ more tasteful in your very own home kitchen by stopping by this summer from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Thinking about making your next real estate investment in Roncesvalles? We’ve helped countless clients get into the neighbourhood, and can help you find your next home in Roncesvalles too. But first, consider these related links about what it takes to buy a home here.

Willem & Jools

Now that you’ve sorted out your home decor and kitchen essentials, it’s time to add a pop of colour and vitality to your home this summer. And, one of our favourite ways to do just that is by potting a few beautiful plants throughout your space.

Towards the southern end of the Roncesvalles strip is another delightful little home-focused boutique, Willem & Jools. This florist at 125 Roncesvalles Avenue is where you’ll find some of the prettiest flowers and plants anywhere in the west end, all inspired by traditional Dutch floral arrangements.

After over 15 years in the floral business, Willem & Jools have refined their list of plant growers and suppliers down to a select few local, organically-grown vendors in Ontario. In doing so, Willem & Jools is able to offer hand-designed arrangements featuring greenery and flowers that are exclusively in-season.

So, whether you’re looking for an eye-catching bouquet, an inspiring new house plant, or a chic pot or vase for your new leafy friend to live in, you can be sure Willem & Jools will take great care of you.

Open for retail and pickup shopping from Tuesday to Sunday, you have plenty of opportunities to pop into their cheerful boutique on Roncesvalles this summer. Or, take advantage of their streamlined online delivery service to skip the line or send a thoughtful gift to a friend or loved one.

Alimentari

After a successful day of shopping, nothing hits the spot better than a satisfying dinner. And when it comes to eating well on Roncesvalles, finding a spot to grab a bite isn’t very challenging.

One of our must-go spots in the neighbourhood to do just that is Alimentari at 325 Roncesvalles Avenue, right at the corner of Grenadier Road. This awesome upscale Italian grocery store is consistently well-stocked with the best of Italy. From pantry staples to meats and cheeses, we could spend hours just looking at Alimentari’s vast catalogue of authentic Italian food and ingredients.

Whether you’re eager to try out all of those new kitchen gadgets you got from Cookery or just want something quick and easy, Alimentari has your evening covered. Find some of the finest Italian ingredients across their shelves and cold storage area or find ready-to-eat prepared foods under their hot counter.

Whatever your favourite Italian-inspired comfort food is, chances are Alimentari’s got it in stock. Our advice? Grab one of their amazing rotisserie roasted chickens if you’re lucky enough to find any left — they’re amazing on their own or paired with any of Alimentari’s amazing accoutrements.

Want to see the best of what’s currently available in Roncesvalles? Check out the latest homes for sale in your favourite neighbourhoods on Our Featured Listings page here.