This popular Toronto store is so busy you often need a ticket to get inside
The Distillery Historic District's Jellycat shop-in-shop in Toronto — the first of its kind in Canada — has officially entered holiday-season chaos, with high demand and long lines forcing management to introduce a ticketed entry system during peak hours.
The Distillery District is currently buzzing with the ongoing Winter Village, and these festivities, combined with this Jellycat location being the only standalone shop in the city, have led to a surge in in-person demand for the brand's luxe plush toys.
"The ticketing system is used during rush hour, usually from 5 p.m. to close on weekdays and throughout the day on weekends," a Jellycat brand representative tells blogTO.
Once the 400 sq. ft. store hits capacity, staff begin handing out tickets, and shoppers must wait in line to enter. "It really depends on how many people are in the store. If it's full, customers have to wait outside and get a ticket before coming in."
Of course, these long lines result in wait times outside the store, which can "be anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes, but once guests are inside, they can browse for as long as they like," the representative confirms.
So if a Jellycat haul is on your holiday to-do list and you'd rather shop in person than click "Add to cart" online, then you have two options: arrive early to beat the crowd, or be ready to wait in line on weeknights and weekends.
The shop-in-shop opened Oct. 3 within the Distillery District's Bergo Designs, a lifestyle shop that sells everything from jewellery and home decor to accessories and even apparel.
This location is Jellycat's only permanent store in Canada, offering an in-person experience with the British brand's soft toys, which come in a wide range of designs, including animals and even quirky food items.
With more than 170 designs available — the largest selection in the country — the store specializes in seasonal and specialty collections. It's currently featuring a festive Christmas line of plushies for shoppers to enjoy.
The Jellycat shop-in-shop is located inside Bergo Designs at 28 Tank House Lane.
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