Distillery District Christmas Market (My Review)

Christmas is coming quick and I find the malls sap my strength and take away my Christmas cheer. However, the Distillery District's annual Christmas Market always puts me in a cheerful mood and in the holiday spirit.  To my knowledge there is nothing like this in the GTA and per a friend it is similar to what one could experience in a town in Germany. We suggest going with friends to share in the merriment and we have gone the last few years without any real complaint.

Distillery District Christmas Market

There is ample shopping with some thoughtful stocking 'stuffer' type gifts from numerous vendors.  Also, many of places to get something tasty such as Oktoberfest sausage, poutine, chocolates and other baked goods.  However, I would not suggest Veal Schnitzel on a bun as it was too thin and lacked a decent bun.

Biergarten Fun

There is also multiple biergartens where you can sit next to a fire and enjoy a beverage.  I personally like hot apple cider, but my friends are big fan of the mulled wine.  Also, various liquor companies were advertising there products and providing cocktail samples.  My two favourites were:

Tasty Cocktail Recipes

My Favourite Things at the Market:

• Brick Street Bakery - Lots of tasty baked goods and treats.  Personally I love there Eccles Cakes and the Olive Loaf.  A great place to get a snack or a loaf of bread.

Eccles Cake (Per Wikipedia)

• The overall ambiance created by the lights, big Christmas tree, and the smell of burning wood.

The Big Christmas Tree

• Soma Chocolate Maker - This store has all sorts of gourmet chocolate treats and is great place to warm up with a Mayan Hot Chocolate.
• Really I can't complain about free samples of booze.

Key Facts:

Runs from Friday Nov 29 to Sunday Dec 15, 2013

Hours:  Monday to Friday - Noon to 9:00 PM
            Saturday to Sunday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

For more details see the official website: http://www.torontochristmasmarket.com/

The Address: Google Map of Distillery District

Tips for Enjoying the Market:

• Take the TTC (King Street Car #504 East to Parliament St stop.  Walk 2 Blocks south.  Parking is difficult to find and traffic is terrible in this neighborhood.
• Get to the market earlier in the day on the weekend as it gets very crowded.  Or go on a weeknight.
• Check out the events schedule to see one of the many great free performances at the stage adjacent to the big Christmas tree.
• Dress warmly and wear clothes that you don't mind smelling like a camp fire.  They have many cauldrons to keep 
• Leave the dog at home.  Although they are allowed outside, they will just be underfoot.
• Don't be a Scrooge and try buying the food and supporting the local vendors.

Have you been to the Market? Have a favourite thing or tip?  Please share them below.

Mr. Shopaholic in a China Shop - Review of William Ashley Warehouse Sale (Toronto)

Last Sunday, October 20th, Ms. Shopaholic and I attended AMEX cardholders preview event at the William Ashley Factory Warehouse Sale. This was our 4th time attending this sale. Here is my review:

William Ashley Sale 2013:

William Ashley sale is a great opportunity to get several things for the kitchen and home on sale.  The warehouse is densely stocked with lots of great items and a wide variety of brands. Over the years we have had great success adding to our china pattern with serving dishes, kitchen accessories, and household items. If you are willing to line up outside a 1/2 hour and fight the crowds than this can make for a successful shopping trip.  It is just like shopping on Boxing Day.

The sale is a much different shopping experience than at WilliamAshley's downtown store at the Manulife Centre (Bloor and Bay.)  Downtown you get a tasteful shop that is neatly laid out, great lighting, and hands on salesperson with a clipboard writing down your purchases.  Your shopping is either hand delivered to your car or delivered by the store to your home.   Warehouse sale can be crowded, densely stocked shelves, you are given a 'office push cart' to put your purchases in (or a box to carry), and there are salespeople to help.  We actually found that other customers would freely talk with us about products they liked or disliked. Some of them gave some great advice. The checkout was also quick and they will wrap up your purchases to ensure your goods get home safe.

William Ashley Sale

For me it comes down to the savings.  I think we were able to save 10% on our China pattern as compared to William Ashley's downtown prices.  We had larger saving on place mats about 50%, kitchen accessories about 25%, cutting board 33%, and about 40% on a decorative item.  Would go into detail, but it is an upcoming birthday present for our favorite friend in Waterdown.  Overall, I think you could save between 10% and 50% on items. A good sale at the Bay could also be as fruitful, especially at the downtown location where they have the largest selection of household items.

William Ashley Sale

However, it's not all roses. The washrooms are outdoor port-o-potties, all sales are final (so inspect closely before buying),  and you may be walking around at a snail's pace through the center of the warehouse. Also, I would stick clear of marinades, spices, chocolate or other food stuffs. I'd looked at some items and none were past their expiry date, but I would be nervous of products coming from overseas and then spending time in a warehouse.  How fresh can it be?  Watching CBC's Marketplace has taught me to question prices when they are too good to be true. Timing is also key when you go shopping at the warehouse.  Weekdays are fine, but a Saturday or Sunday the place can be crowded and parking could be difficult.  You could also spend more than an hour in line (in a heated tent) on the weekend. I would suggest going before noon if you can.

In conclusion, if you need some things for the kitchen, housewares or decorative items, than this sale is well worth it.  Cranky ol' Mr. Shopaholic will gladly go again and guard Ms. Shopaholic's purchases.  

What they sell:

• China Place Settings and Serving Dishes
•  Crystal Glasses and Decorative Pieces
•  Small Kitchen Appliances
•  Knives, Cutlery, Everyday Dishes and Glasses
•  Pots, Pans, Cutting Boards and Kitchen Utensils
•  Christmas Decorations, Cards and Wrapping Paper
•  Bathroom Accessories, Shower Curtains and Soaps

Location and Details:

The warehouse is located on 62 Railside Rd, which is located South, off of Lawrence Ave East between the Don Valley Parkway and Victoria Park Ave.   You can get there via transit by taking the Lawrence Ave East Bus #54 from Eglinton Subway Station.

This is the link to their website:  http://www.williamashley.com/warehousesale/

William Ashley Sale - Details

Tips for Success:

• Go in the morning when shelves are restocked and before items are picked through.  Also, it is easier to find parking.
•  Have a list of ideas before you go and think about present ideas for Christmas, birthdays and other events.
•  If you already have china, cutlery or crystal pattern at home, write-down the brand and style name to help the salespeople find what you are looking for.  They have a computer system and can locate stock not on the warehouse floor.
• Parking costs $5 for onsite parking or you can try to find street parking on the East side of the street.  Many other local businesses are sensitive of where you park and parking enforcement officers can be seen trawling the area.
• Make sure you have a snack before you go in to keep up your energy.  You could easily spend more than 2 hours on your feet.  Outside there is a chip wagon where you can get street meat, sausage, fries or a cold drink.  We didn't try the wagon's food.  So, eat at your own risk.

Key Notes:

• All sales are final. Make sure you inspect your purchases closely before buying.
• Warehouse Sale is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
•  They do not allow strollers or car seats in the store.

Did you buy anything?  Any tips? Key details I'm missing?  Had no luck?  Please tell me in the comments below.

Confessions of a Spouse of a Shopaholic - Toronto Premium Outlets Mall

My preferred shopping style is a fast surgical strike.  Go with a list of items and only go into stores I had past success at.  Browsing and taking my time, I save for a zoo or art gallery.  Ms. Shopaholic likes to take her time and has the patience to go through the racks.  I still don't know why she takes me with her...   On a grey and rainy Saturday, October 19th, we went for our first time to the Toronto Premium Outlets. Here is my review:

Toronto Premium Outlets - Main Entrance

Review of Toronto Premium Outlets:

Toronto Premium Outlet is the latest mall to open in the greater Toronto area and is part of a larger chain of US malls run by Simon who have both their suburban malls and 'Premium Outlets' chain.  We have previously shopped at several of them in our trips down South with some success.   Toronto outlet opened on August, 1, 2013 and still looks new in October.  What stood out from this location as compared to the others was the figure 8 design of the stores with the food court and information kiosk at the centre. So, the stores were more centrally located, rather than being a ring around a parking lot or an endless maze.  Further they have some nice added touches in the central courtyard with an outdoor gas fireplace, patio tables and toddlers playground.  Other locations we have been to only had benches.

Toronto Premium Outlets - Central Courtyard

Toronto Premium Outlets - Central Courtyard

The mall has 85 stores, which is a significant number, but many of their other malls have more than 100 stores.  Birch Run (Detroit) has a 145 stores and Grove City (Pittsburgh) 130 and the nearest to Toronto, Waterloo (Rochester) has a 100 stores.  Unlike the above malls, this one is located in the GTA and does not involve crossing the border.  The mall probably be more aptly titled Milton Premium Outlets and it is located 1 block North of the Hwy 401 at the intersection of Trafalgar Rd. (exit #328) and Steeles Ave.  Also, like all the other malls we have been to it is an outdoor mall and although they have roof overhangs in parts you could certainly be wet or cold on a bad day.  Not a selling feature for me.  Give me a climate controlled indoor mall any day of the week.

Toronto Premium Outlet - South West Quadrant

But for me it all comes down to money.  We bought only a few things after 3 hours of shopping.  The prices were only slightly better to our local mall with less selection and we did not encounter any great sales.  In the past, I have had much better luck shopping during sales at Yorkdale Mall.  Majority of the things I looked at were only slightly cheaper than the mall (10% maybe) and about 30% more expensive than our last summer trip to Detroit.  You add the 13% HST and suddenly things are far more expensive than the US without its federal sales tax.  State Taxes are similar to most provinces between 5% and 7%. With the dollar near par then you can get a lot more bang for your buck in the States. Toronto Premium outlets does have a coupon book and you can find a few more savings if you spend over a certain threshold.  See below for more details.

Quality is important as well. I can't speak for all the businesses, but I have noticed in the past that comparable items at the mall stores for both Ralph Lauren and Banana Republic have thicker fabric and are made in different countries than the Premium Outlets.  A friend of mine said that they specifically manufacture for this mall chain and other discounters.  Google did not provide a definitive answer, but others have suggested the same on comments pages.  So, you may not be getting the same quality as you would at the mall and that is reflected in the price as well.  Those small savings could be just an illusion.

Personally, I've had the most success shopping at Macy's during a sale and getting there foreign visitors 10% additional discount. If you go to the mgmt office at Macy's and show your ID they will give you a Welcome Savings Pass that you show to the cashier when you buy things and get an extra 10% off.  If you don't know Macy's is a large department store chain like the Bay and they sell a lot of the same brands.  Ms. Shopaholic has had the most success stateside shopping at Macy's, and at the Premium Outlets for Ann Taylor, Nine West, and Banana Republic.  She was disappointed that they did not have an Ann Taylor at the Toronto Premium Outlets, which she finds has decent business attire.  Otherwise, we have found that local savings can be best had by signing up for our favorite stores promotional emails and shopping early in the day during a sale.

For a complete listing of stores, directions, mall hours and holidays observed, see their official website.  For specific comments on some of the stores we visited, see the end of this article.

In conclusion, it is a nice modern outdoor mall, wide variety of stores, clean, and you could find a great deal if you're patient.   However, if you follow sales at your favorite stores than you probably can get better deals at your preferred mall.  Or better yet, go South for a few days and see some great sites during the day and do a little shopping at night.


How to Save a Few Dollars More:

This mall chain has a deal with CAA/AAA and if you show your card at the information desk (inside the central - Food Court) you can get a pamphlet that lists all the savings.  This is true for the other Premium outlets we have visited.  Generally the discount is a percentage off your purchase once you spend a minimum or set amount off your bill.  You can also spend $5.00 to buy these coupons.  We scanned the booklet, so you can see if it would be helpful for you.

Toronto Premium Outlets Discount Book - Page 1 of 2

Toronto Premium Outlets Discount Book - Page 2 of 2

Some Shopping Highlights:

The Bay Outlet Store - They have a large wall of shoes organized by size.  But, the majority of shoes looked like they had already been worn for a few weeks with visible scuffs and worn soles.  The Men's wear also had of lots dress shirts, sweaters, and pants. You would have lots of selection if you are men's small or Homeresque.

Lindt Chocolate Store - They give you a bon-bon on the way in and lots of tasty chocolate and other candy to buy.  You can save a few bucks if you buy some bulk chocolate and if you eat it all and you can save when you become XXL and shop at the Bay Outlet Store.

Ralph Lauren Store - Good service, nice displays and plenty to choose from.  The con is that many items (golf shirts, sweaters, and pants) are at least $20 more than US factory outlets.  Further, I have had better luck at the Bay or Macy's when they have Ralph Lauren on sale.

Nike Store - Large with lots of sports clothes and shoes.  I was surprised to see they were still selling 'Live Strong' items.   The Onion for awhile sold 'Cheat Strong' bracelets years ago before Lance finally admitted to doping. They had read the tea leaves right on that.

Columbia Sports Apparel - Lots of choices for coats and outdoor wear.  Had my eye on several things, but I didn't need anything new for the moment.

Banana Republic - This location had the least amount of Men's selection of any Banana Republic I recall being in.  A sales lady was very helpful, but I was unable to find anything worth buying in my size.

Tell me what you think below in the comments.   Did you have better luck than we did?  Worse?