Drake General Store

I’m usually drawn to places that sell an eclectic mix of knickknacks. It really does live up to its hipster label and I’ve bought more than my fair share from the store over the years including cool socks, coasters with owls on them (O RLY?), cards, and books.
Problem is that almost everything that I bought can be found cheaper elsewhere. The purchases are generally all impulse buys so my impatience got the better of me. If you’re not in a rush, it doesn’t hurt to do some comparison shopping. They generally do have some things that are a bit harder to find though.
Service is OK. I’m generally ignored, but when I’ve asked for assistance, the sales staff have been accommodating.

I was pretty excited to stop by the Drake General Store while in Toronto (had considered buying stuff like the Great Lakes toque/​scarf set online and wanted to see it in person), but was completely disappointed the two times I stopped by. One of the more unpleasant customer service experiences I’ve had in the past year. I went in and wasn’t acknowledged at all, while others were greeted — maybe I don’t fit the vibe?
It kind of felt like they were trying too hard to be Brooklyn… except people in the real Brooklyn aren’t actually that unfriendly. And while the curation is not that bad, except for their in-​house clothing brand, I think I’ve seen a good chunk of the items elsewhere. Given the amount of stores on Queen with less faux-​Brooklyn selection and better service, I’ll pass.

SO I caved.
After hearing about Evelyn’s Shops Local initiative and being sent a gajillion flyers at my house, I finally decided to come check this place out.
Nothing could have prepared me for this level of hipster madness. It looked like the set of an indie music video.
Their stock is super random — onesies, boxers, cookbooks, mugs, notebooks, passport carriers. The only theme that binds all the stock is the overt hipsterdom of the products.
Thankfully, they aren’t as expensive as North Standard Trading Post or American Apparel. Still, it’s Canadian hipster swag, so be ready to pay. My onesie was $ 40 plus tax and boxers were on sale for $ 10.
Staff are helpful in a hipster kind of way.

My love for this store grows each time I stop by. Not only is it packed with locally made items, but their clerks are down right the friendliest people. This time I scored on a made in Canada hoodie to replace my crappy Target one with bleach stains. This is a really great place to stop for gift buying for friends or family.

I’m sitting in a onesie covered in holiday Canadiana from the Drake General Store, and I’m as happy as a clam.
So my love of this place makes me a hipster? Grrrlll (looking at you, Vivek S), I don’t even give a whoa.
I bought half of my holiday gifts here in 30 minutes and my friend Matt and I had a grand time with the staff. Excellent collection of clothes, odds and ends and one of a kind items. I’m really into the nodding bear on the desk, but it’s not for sale. Damn.
PEPPER POINTS: For the free cup of warm apple cider. Classy touch, pals.
WHAT THIS PLACE TEACHES ME ABOUT MYSELF*: I’m a hipster.
*Nod to former Toronto CM, Aunt Viv. (Double mention!)

It’s a very small store version of American Outfitters.
Lots of ‘STUFF’. (junk)
Antler themed stuff, cliché salt & pepper shakers, $ 135 no-​name sunglasses, with MADE IN CHINA embossed on the inside of the arm. I’ve seen the books they sell here on
for HALF the price.
I must not forget the 50% markup. But maybe that’s a cliché too.

VIBE
It’s an extension of the Drake. So too cool for school.
If you are a hipster, you will likey.
WHAT TO BUY
The whole store. Especially if you’re gift shopping. They have a carefully curated selection of books (especially travel related ones); retro postcards; a bunch of Canadiana/​wilderness paraphanelia (like blankets and the ilk); and really pretty jewelry. And of course, my favourite: the scratch map!
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
Get em while it’s hot! Not surprised there are three locations. Well deserved.

Need a gift for a hipster?
Obligatory Title Pun: DRAKE me out to the ball game.
Menu Readability: Is that Din? Oh, you guys!
Need to mention: DIY Plain Wood Nesting Dolls. $ 20.
What this place teaches me about myself: Yeah, I love this ish.

As a country girl, I often find myself missing the small town feel within the concrete city we live in. So it’s always refreshing when I come across a store such as the Drake General Store. With a little taste of the way back machine, a splash of simplicity and dash of country Ra Ra, this store oozes the Christmas season.
I am so happy this is a part of my new neighbourhood as I am sure there will be many a gifts bought at this gem.

I had already made up my mind that I really didn’t need to go to this place. Based on the attitude I had last time I attempted to shop here, I was ok to never enter this store again, but when you are shopping with friends there is always a give an take, so I went in.
I really don’t know how to describe the merchandise except to say it was a collection of Canadian kitsch. If Outer Layer {1} and those tourist places that sell authentic native dream catchers next to mass produced $ 20 bottles of maple syrup were to have a baby, it would be The Drake General store.
If you needed to find an offbeat gift or I guess if you were visiting Canada and wanted a cool keepsake this place would be good. Prices are steep. I feel in love with a knit cactus that promises never to die (we’ll see about that) for $ 22 and an RCMP duffel bag for $ 130.
Service here is still a big fat Zero, since the hipster clerk never once bothered leaving her 20 sq area to say hi or offer help (as I struggled to grab the duffel bag!)
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{1}

The Drake General Store has long intrigued me, mostly because Toronto Life always seems to find little gems for their «fun and funky» gift sections in their rag.
They have an interesting mix of kitsch: things like RCMP-​printed napkins, Popeye candy cigarettes, crazy coloring books, and lots of cool cards. They do, though, carry Marvis Mint Jasmine toothpaste, something I haven’t been able to find anywhere else in Toronto. Score!
Their wares are definitely more expensive than your average gift shop. I’m sure that’s a combination of it being the Drake and the uniqueness of their stuff. Price notwithstanding, the Drake General Store is a cool place to pop in when you need that really cool thing to impress the VIPs in your life.

im going to have to part ways with connie on this one. its either she or i that will be going down the road less travelled. time will tell.
when i went into the general store, groovily lit by a purple neon cross over its window, it was manned by two folks that proceeded to say stare at me spookily as i looked around. (this was after i had asked if i could take pictures — should have just taken them without asking, in this place. they refused because they wanted to cover their asses — for what i dont know — but they just seemed to more dumbfounded than full of knowledge of their surroundings, its products and it rules. besides, what if not the drake hotel AND SURELY this general store is not a tourist locale — you know? those guys who walk around with cameras and snap photos of their trip?).
so im looking at some stuff. and there is a lot of fun stuff here. i particularly liked the pornographic colouring book. from what i remember, there was not much in terms of things functional here less the artbooks to be generous.
i feel like there are other stores around the city that have similar kitsch available that has more to do pieces created by artists versus selling 70s or 80s reproductions of ALL dishwashing detergent. it feels more image oriented than anything else and as we all know, image costs and this place is no different.
still, i do think its a-​ok, fine. pop in and perhaps youll find something for a lark, but not a song.