2 Best Places to Shop in Church and Wellesley, Toronto

Though Yonge Street is no longer a record store mecca, Dead Dog is an excellent indie shop in the nearby Gay Village. There are plenty of new vinyl records from hot up-and-coming indie bands, artists from a wide spectrum of genres, and box sets and reissues from legends like David Bowie, but regulars gravitate toward the constantly refreshing used bins to flip around for gems. There's also a good collection of DVDs, Blu-Rays, and band T-shirts, and this being the Village location, a good selection of queer artists as well. 

Glad Day is the world's oldest LGBTQ+ bookstore—no mean feat, especially in high-rent Toronto. In the Gay Village epicenter of Church Street, the store is packed with shelves featuring the latest and greatest in queer voices from across Canada and beyond; those shelves are frequently rolled aside to host readings, events, and even dance parties. The bar serves both coffee and alcohol, and the kitchen turns out homey diner-style eats (which are particularly appreciated during weekend drag brunches).