Mrs. Huizenga

About

Selling nice things to nice people.

Story

The store moved from 121 to 28 Roncesvalles in November 2012 - the site of the old Goodwill. Since then the store's stock has expanded to fit the space allowed. It's a huge space able to encompass items smaller than postage stamps and large furniture and sometimes, neat old industrial things. There's always a good stock of vintage clothing and accessories, ephemera, breakables and useful things. The items we stock don't have to be very old - but they do have to be very interesting. We like to think we are "alternative retail" and not just because sometimes Mrs. H forgets and chews gum in the shop. We're all about uniting nice people with nice items, and the good feelings that come along with discovering fascinating vintage items, or rediscovering and feeling nostalgic about them, as so often happens.

The space has also become a place for twice-monthly auctions of antique, vintage, retro and collectible items from local dealers and private collectors. They're designed to be as much a social event as they are sales. Everyone is welcome - we encourage regular folks to beat the dealers to the deals. There's a licensed cash bar and snacks; a character of an auctioneer; jocular staff, and an air of levity to the proceedings. It has happened that a dresser from a personal collection was auctioned with a drawer full of skivvies, and we are not saying that they might have been Mrs. H's. Preview starts at 6pm, and there are plenty of staff members to talk people through the process. Bidding begins at 7pm. Our auctions are usually on the first and third Thursdays each month - we'll let you know if anything changes, of course.

Occasionally there are onsite special events, such as Vintage Clothing collective sales; but we also set up outposts at the Junction Fleas, the Junction Flea at Evergreen Brickworks, and the Leslieville Flea.

We've also been used as an event space for Miranda Mulholland and Krysta Oben's La Belle Éparkdale #2 featuring Kevin Kane (Grapes of Wrath) and Patrick Brealey, and there'll even be a wedding reception held in the store this weekend. Who knows what else will become of the store? Every person that walks through the doors changes it just a little, and usually for the better.