Any pen shops in Toronto?

[Blade Runner]

Visiting Toronto this June. Yay!

Are there any pen shops in Toronto?

Also any recommendations for family fun would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Edited May 11, 2009 by jeen

[digitalnative]

Laywines near the intersection of Bay and Bloor would be an excellent choice to visit. For fun and recreation try Toronto Island, the Toronto Zoo, the Science Center and Edwards Gardens.

[King of the Road]

IMO, the best pen shop right in Toronto is Laywine's on 25 Bellair St., very close to the corner of Avenue and Bloor. If you're willing to drive about 30-45 minutes (depending on which side of Toronto you're staying), an equally good store is Phidon Pens at 63 Dickson in Cambridge. The prices at Phidon Pens are better, and the friendly service is unequalled.

Enjoy your stay!

 

KoR

 

[Kaych]

Coincidentally I've been looking for a store too, and in my search I've found the following stores:

1. Laywines - 25 Bellair St.

2. Montblanc Boutique - 151 Bloor Street, West

3. B. Sleuth & Statesman - 100 King Street West

4. Essence du Papier - 2476 Yonge Street / 290 Yonge Street (Eaton Center) / 66 Wellington Street West

5. A store in Pacific Mall (I don't know the name) - 4300 Steeles Avenue East

 

 

[HenryLouis]

BEWARE!

 

Sleuth and statesman is only open on weekdays. I didn't know that until i made a trip to downtown and found out right then and there.

[Blade Runner]

Thanks for tips!

Does Toronto have a good /safe subway system, or is public transport above ground?

Digitalnative, ouur 5 yo will love those suggestions.

Cheers.

[Kaych]

Toronto has a very good and very safe transit system. We have subways (though not as extensive as other cities, it'll take you to all the major areas), buses and streetcars.You can check it out at http://www3.ttc.ca/

 

Also, to add to the list of attractions, I would say Paramount Canada's Wonderland, which is just a 30 minute drive north of Toronto, the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario. The thing to understand about Toronto is that its very diverse. You could spend days wandering the streets and experience different cultures through festivals and the such.

[HenryLouis]

Keep in mind that the Royal Ontario museum is very close to Laywines and the Montblanc boutique.

[Parker51]

Good Evening, Toronto is a very walkable city, and has an excellent subway, trolley, and bus system. Driving however is convenient for the outlying suburbs, and Hotels in Toronto itself can be pricey, and parking is extra, and while not incredibly expensive, is not cheap. Thus, if you are arriving by automobile you may want to stay on the outskirts and take the Metro in to the City. This will save you from both paying to park at your hotel, and from paying to park almost every where you drive in Toronto.

 

The mentioned attractions for Children are good however some are better for some age ranges than others. Also, there can be significant price differences from attraction to attraction. The lowest priced are generally those that are sponsored or supported by the Government of Ontario. Unfortunately some of them may be a little worn due to limited government funding for major renovations.

 

If you are coming from the States, and from a major metropolitan area, be prepared for significant differences in when stores are open, and closed. Shopping is limited on Saturdays (no evening hours), and very limited on Sundays (no morning or evening hours). Businesses with extended hours will generally be in tourist areas. There are also a very limited number of 24 hour a day, seven day per week businesses. Those stores that are open at all times generally are Pharmacies.

 

Canada Post generally does not operate Postal Offices as easy to locate Free standing operations with free parking in large Metropolitan areas, instead they are often found in stores. And some stores may sell postage at less than face value.

 

A good day for taking in Yard or Garage Sales is Sunday. They can be fun, and there is no tax man present to collect GST (Federal sales tax added to the purchase price) and PST (Provincial sales tax added to the purchase price).

 

Be prepared for significant Air Pollution (In Summer) which may require sensitive individuals to stay indoors, so have a fall back indoor activity for a day or two. Air pollution is not a frequent problem, but occasionally it can be a nuisance.

 

If you like to hike or bike, there are many very nice paths appropriate for hiking or riding as a family both in Toronto and in the general area.

 

Gasoline and Diesel Fuel are significantly higher than in the States, and are sold by the Liter. The Imperial Gallon has disappeared into history.

 

Fast Food, while fast, is not cheap in Ontario. The price difference thus between a Fast Food outlet, and a moderate/ family restaurant is significantly less than that in the States, and is thus a good value, especially if you check ahead for discounts. If however you are at the other end of the price scale you will find many very fine restaurants in Toronto that can provide you with exceptional dining experiences with food from almost anywhere on the planet. The one thing you will have difficulty finding is Canadian cuisine as there really is not a national cuisine though there are regional cuisines. In Ontario, Beef is very good, and in general a good value. And in regard to subtle differences between Canadian food preparation, and that in the States, two difference are Butter, and Sugar. In Canada one is much more likely to find Butter used rather than Margarine, or a Vegetable Oil based Spread, and Sugar rather than Corn Syrup as a sweetener (Specifically in Ketchup).

 

 

 

[goodguy]

You are going to have fun here in Toronto but pen shops here are very expensive.

I never bought any pen here.

 

Enjoy your time here

[sgireland]

2nd nomination for Phidon pens if you want to make the drive west. Stop in Milton (about the halfway point) for a hike with the family along the escarpment.

[Blade Runner]

Thanks again everyone.

Parker 51, you could work for Fodors Speaking of guidebooks, I'll have to pick one up today.

Cheers.

 

[Rufus]

Thanks for tips!

Does Toronto have a good /safe subway system, or is public transport above ground?

Digitalnative, ouur 5 yo will love those suggestions.

Cheers.

 

Be aware though, you'll get robbed in the pen stores in Toronto. Unfortunately the prices charged by all the named stores are sky high; I buy all my pens from reputable on-line vendors.

Edited May 11, 2009 by Rufus

[dmendel]

Good Evening, Toronto is a very walkable city, and has an excellent subway, trolley, and bus system. Driving however is convenient for the outlying suburbs, and Hotels in Toronto itself can be pricey, and parking is extra, and while not incredibly expensive, is not cheap. Thus, if you are arriving by automobile you may want to stay on the outskirts and take the Metro in to the City. This will save you from both paying to park at your hotel, and from paying to park almost every where you drive in Toronto.

 

I second that -- when I last traveled to Toronto with my kids we stayed at the Sandalwood Suites hotel out by Trudeau Airport -- you can get a full suite (bedroom w/separate living area and fold out couch, plus kitchenette) -- for about $99, which includes free breakfast and free parking. Lots of families stay there for this reason. You can then take the GO train into downtown and from there take the subway. You can also buy a daily pass at the GO train station, or at the subway stations, that is very affordable.

 

 

Gasoline and Diesel Fuel are significantly higher than in the States, and are sold by the Liter. The Imperial Gallon has disappeared into history.

 

This is not true. If you convert litres into gallons and then convert CAN dollars into USD, the prices are about the same (as of today, roughly $2.50US per gallon in southern Ontario, which is about what you would pay in Buffalo, for example). Gas prices are actually higher in Quebec than Ontario.

 

 

 

[merzig]

Another round of places to visit:

 

_ Royal Ontario Museum (the ROM). Dinosaurs, historical objects, art, and a really dramatic new addition by Daniel Libeskind.

_ CN Tower (largest structure in the world, good for photos. I bet your 5yo will like the transparent floors at the top)

_ Chinatown

_ Kensington Market (a bohemian neighborhood next to Chinatown with the same sort of exotic cultural appeal. Some good inexpensive lunch spots here).

 

 

[geezer06]

Visiting Toronto this June. Yay!

Are there any pen shops in Toronto?

Also any recommendations for family fun would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Several good pen shops downtown. Try B. Sleuth & Statesman in the Exchange Tower, 130 King Street West, main floor. This building has two Sleuth & Statesman shops, owned by brothers. Knowledgeable, friendly.

 

Handwritings

100 King Street West First Canadian Place

Toronto, ON, M5X 1B1 Canada

416-366-6531

 

Laywine's

25 Bellair; Toronto, Ontario M5R 3L3

Tel: (416) 921-7131

[Rufus]

Come to think of it, I'd just skip Toronto, and go directly to Montreal. Toronto isn't called Hogtown for nothing. Montreal is the heart and soul of the country

[Kaych]

Just a heads up, I found a new pen shop in Toronto:

 

Exceptions Fine Writing Instruments

123 Queen St. West

 

This is convenient as its right across from City Hall and the Toronto Eaton Center.

[merzig]

Just a heads up, I found a new pen shop in Toronto:

 

Exceptions Fine Writing Instruments

123 Queen St. West

 

This is convenient as its right across from City Hall and the Toronto Eaton Center.

 

Have you been there? What sort of things do they carry??

[Kaych]

Have you been there? What sort of things do they carry??

 

Nope, I haven't been there yet. But according to what I've found on the net, they are an authorized Montblanc, Parker and Waterman retailer. Given their prime location right by the Central Business District, I assume they have good selection.

 

I may be heading downtown next week, so if I drop by I'll let you guys know what I find.