Design Stores
Cubeshops
Cubeshops has finally opened and Toronto is better for it. Let me explain....
There are people who travel the world uncovering cool designs. I am not one of those people. Don't get be wrong, I'd love to be a jet-setter who can rummage through the cool finds of other cultures finding key pieces along the way that accentuate my IKEA bookshelf, it's just not exactly in this writer's budget.
What I can afford, however, is the TTC fare to get to the just-opened art gallery-cum-design store Cubeshops. Located on the restaurant-filled strip that is Baldwin Street, Cubeshops looks very much like an art gallery from the outside, painted all white with a big glass window. It takes a trip inside to realize Cubeshops is much, much more.
Lining the whitewashed shelves is an eclectic mix of household, office and just plain fun products from Japan. Carefully chosen by the store's owners (I had the pleasure of meeting the very charming Sid, KC and Robert the night of my visit), the objects are as much fun to look at as they are to play with. Not only that, most of the products at the store are making their Canadian debut, making this a must stop spot for anyone fascinated with distinct design.
There are the +d umbrella stands ($52) or the hilariously malleable accessory stands ($24). I loved the paint tube doorstoppers ($8) as well as the collection of vases they have on display, including +d's michi-kusa vase for arranging wildflowers ($23) as well as the stands for individual daisies ($20). The store seemingly has it all, even an array of ninja pins ($5), graphic ties ($30) and cellphone holders ($10).
But the pièce de résistance? A line of coffee makers from Hario (the guys gave me a sneak peek of the pots while pulling them from storage). Exclusive to Cubeshops, the line (from $50) brews the kind of coffee connoisseurs dream of (I'm not even a coffee drinker and I want to try it). They hit store shelves this week.
All in all, I don't think it's an understatement to say Cubeshops is one of the most unique stores to have opened in Toronto in a long, long time. And because new product will be rotating through the store's shelves every few weeks, it's a pretty safe bet to say it'll stay that way.
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I like to think of this place as something like the MoMA Store as if it were ran exclusively by Japanese eccentrics.
Luciano Galasso
Brilliant plan. Good luck with that.
Knowing is half the battle. Yo Joe!
The shop was delightful.
As for other comments on Cubeshops, it may not be everyone's taste and that's the beauty of it. No need to knock it. It's nice to see stores open up in Canada that aren't specifically for the masses.
Good on you Cubeshops!
it saddens me that people try to exploit japanese culture and heritage for their own financial benefit. shame on you, cubeshops!
Some of the stuff from the pics looks like a fun,cooler version of Ikea stuff...
Glad to see that Toronto has some fun stores like this around to spice up your home
Great job!
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Do Dat
In all honesty, I don't see how it is an exploitation of Japanese culture when consumer culture in general a national or without a nation. These products could very well be designed in Japan, made in China and now sold in a Canadian shop with non-Japanese owners. How does that differ from an iPod designed in the U.S., made in China and sold in a small electronics/computer store in Canada owned by Russians? Is that now an example of exploiting American culture? What does it mean to "exploit" a culture anyways?
And since when did inventing quirky items become an exclusive part of Japanese culture/heritage?
In most cases, I usually lurk rather than make comments that are potentially rude but as one of my pet peeves, your comment sadly reveals a lack of knowledge to the true extent of how globalization has affected our everyday lives and an ignorance of the fact that culture is not a fixed and unchanging.
Seriously, I'm asking you to please think about what you're saying before you post them on the internet. There are enough morons as it is already.
for all you know, he could be a fan of the aesthetic and just wants to bring it to Toronto.
He goes back to japan VERY often... so please don't doubt his authenticity
He's also a nice guy!