This is one of the nicest gift shops I have seen associated with a museum - wide variety which…read moreincluded books, clothing, ornaments, crafts etc. associated with either the museum itself or exhibits. I picked up a very nice book related to their current temporary exhibit as well as some mementos - everything was well displayed & not overly pricey as far as traditional gift shops go. Staff were knowledgeable about their products and very helpful. Great way to wrap up your visit to the museum!

I must have been in 100 gift shops over my 10 days in Ontario and Québec. Over that time, there…read morewasn't one with better quality items that the Canadian Museum of History (Musée Canadien de l'Histoire) gift shop/boutique. Let's start with the more standard stuff: High quality hoodies, sweaters, t-shirts, hats, mugs, bags, keychains, cards, and lanyards (to name a few) ... most bright red, emblazoned with maple leaves and other famous Canadian locales placed front-and-center. Then there's plenty in French and things that may specifically appeal to the French and French-Canadian. My personal fave is the whole section (with shirts, books, etc.) dedicated to the famed Astérix et Obélix cartoon -- a staple in French humor since the late 1950s. And, of course, the thing that sets this gift shop apart is all the books, bags, t-shirts, posters, jewelry, blankets, scarves, shawls, plush toys, keychains, magnets, boxes, ties, totes, carvings, ornaments, brooches, journals, etc., specifically related to the Museum's exhibits past and present. I can't stress it enough how exceptional a place this is if you want a book on all facets of Canadian history ... both publications by the Museum itself and those seminal works on Canadian history and life. As well, no store I've been to in Canada compares when it comes to carvings, totems, and other items related to the Inuit and First Nations. It's such a great store, I'll say make sure you don't forget to see the Museum itself!!!!

Probably a 3.5 stars is about right,…read more What a lovely way to use open space in a mall! This outlet brings charm, character and culture to the Hazeldean Mall! The Art Gallery's full time permanent home is on Campeau, but from April of 2014 until October, they are also occupying a space in the Hazeldean Mall where the card and gift shop used to be. This big bright open space will change their display every month. They are showing a variety of local artists' works, from photography to painting, sculpture, and mixed media. Very intriguing! I might add that the pieces on display are in fact for sale.

One hidden gem of a Gallery in the same building as the Beaverbrook Public Library. This is an…read moreartist run gallery so chances are you will meet one of the artists.

D. Grandeur is a wood furniture and assorted wood-product store on Bank Street just south of the…read moreGlebe. Look, I am not going to lie to you. D. Grandeur is not cheap. But, the furniture they sell is hand-made, solid and - unlike Amish or Mennonite furniture - isn't stuck in that timewarp/country style. There is some pretty cool stuff in there, and it isn't all rickety like the furniture our Swedish friends sell. Beyond furniture, D. Grandeur also sells wall-hanging carvings and decorative masks. The masks are very interesting - but I find masks in general a little disconcerting! You can also find that wooden carved American bald eagle statue you have been looking for.

Adorit is such a cute and fun little shop. It reminds me a bit of Courage My Love in Kensington…read moreMarket in Toronto. It has that hippie vibe and smells of patchouli. It has vintage items but also new items. Their new items are all ethically sourced/fair trade, most are made of organic materials and the designers are Canadian. The owner, Emma, is very sweet and is so passionate about the items she sells. She introduced me to 2 designers that I totally love now: Smoking Lily, and Rabbit & Empee. OMG, why did I not know about these designers earlier? Their pieces are gorgeous! Most of the clothes in the shop are somewhat quirky with a bohemian vibe to them, some with slight steampunk elements, but there are pieces that look more mainstream too. They also have unique jewelry pieces, hair accessories, belts and purses. Prices run the gamut from less than $1 (vintage jewelry) to over $150 (new clothing). New clothing starts at about $35 for T-shirts and goes up to $100+ for dresses. The shop is small and is in an old converted residential unit in the Byward Market. If you are looking for a cool and unusual piece, Adorit is the place to go! ;)

Adorit is a lovely boutique in the ByWard Market that specializes in vintage, Tibetan and designer…read morerecycled clothes. The vintage selection is small and it's the only part of the store that has men's clothing, but they do manage to have some very unique finds. The new clothing is "environmentally friendly" and it's often made out of recycled clothing material with some really great patterns. The clothing is usually made in Tibet (fair trade) or Canada, including some work by local designers. The clothes are usually quite nice and Bohemian-inspired, although the prices run a bit high sometimes. However, they often have a sales rack and trunk with some great pieces, including my favourite coat that probably gets more compliments than any other article of clothing I own. They also have wonderful accessories and Tibet products.The owner is very nice.

Very fun. In addition to great magazine selection, there's lots of fun (even quirky) gifts…read moreincluding writing related items, gag gifts and baby gifts. Enjoyable browsing through what's there. Need something for a Kris Kringle / Secret Santa exchange? This is your store. Good prices and many price ranges. Staff are great too! Would I recommend: Yes Would I return: Yes

This is by far the best selection of magazines in Ottawa that I have come across…read more It's been an institution in the city for what seems like forever but they're still around because if you're looking for something, no matter how obscure, they seem to have it. The magazines are arranged by category and they cover everything from the home to computing, finance, fashion, celebs and pets and seem to come from every part of the globe. They also have all the major newspapers including a cross section of not so top-of-mind Canadian cities like North Bay. I was there looking for a particular title and although they didn't have it in stock they were going to be ordering it and the salesperson told me the exact day in which I would be able to find it in store which was quite impressive. All that said, whether you're looking for something niche or mainstream Mag & Fags seems to have it all!

Cute curated vintage store, with great clothes, well organized…read more Fun colours and the most awesome rag rug runner in the front half of the store. Leather jackets, a beautiful pair of brown leather boots, tops, bottoms and other are all fun to look through. If you love Vintage this is worth a look.

This is a great not-for-profit event that helps promote local up and coming artists by allowing…read morethem to display and sell their art to a wider audience. It's held for a weekend in June at Central Park with free admission. You can come to just peruse, and if you're a more serious buyer, there's plenty of selection amongst the dozens of tables of art, photography, clothing and trinkets. Also, the artists are usually very friendly and eager to talk about their work. The Central Park location is wonderful and serves to augment the beauty and dreaminess of the surroundings. This is a great way for families, friends, singles and couples to spend an afternoon.

I love this gallery especially since they have jewelry from my favorite artist Anne-Marie Chagnon…read more Her jewelry is amazing since it gives you the power to change it. Maybe from a long necklace to a short one, or by reshaping a part. I went with a friend and she noticed pieces by a couple of her previous art teachers here and was excited. The highlight for me was definitely the jewelry. There were some really large striking pieces that would be totally unique to wear to an event. Of course they are a bit pricey, but it's art. The woman working in the store was really helpful and gave us a lot of additional information on the jewelry and how it could be changed, about the artists etc. She noticed my earrings and that they were by one of the artists also. This is one place I will visit soon when I have a special event to find accesories for!