On Tuesday at lunch hour I ran into a HUGE demonstration on Toronto’s Queen Street West where hundreds of people were marching in protest against the Chinese occupation of Tibet. This week marks the 50th anniversary of that occupation and the subsequent exile of Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
One way to support Tibet is to buy Tibetan products and Queen West is a great place to do just that. In the blocks immediately west of Bathurst Street you’ll find The Tibet Shoppe (664 Queen Street West, 416.703.8423) and Tibet Arts & Crafts (703 Queen Street West, 416.703.9072), both great sources for Buddhas, prayer wheels, singing bowls, wall hangings, cushions and cabinets.
At the Tibet Shoppe, many of the finest pieces come from the Norbulingka Institute in Dharamsala, India, the home in exile of “His Holiness”, which is how Tibetans like shop owner Kalsang Dolkar Gyaltong refer to the Dalai Lama. Norbulingka is dedicated to keeping Tibetan culture and craft alive. The centre provides training, education and employment to Tibetans. Norling Designs are made from the finest woods, metals and hand-loomed fabrics and they’re pricey. The silk wall hangings below range in price from $500 – $1,000 depending on size and complexity.
Across the street is Tibet Arts & Crafts, a more austere shop run by proprietor Sonam Lama. Sonam sells myriad Buddhas ranging from $30 – $350; singing bowls–run the stick around the rim to create a sublime resonance–range from $25 – $400. Meditation cushions are $25 – $65 and the large masks–protectors for the home–are $35 – $400.
If your appetite for Tibetan culture has been stimulated there’s the Little Tibet Restaurant on the same block (712 Queen Street West, 416.306.1896) or continue west on Queen Street to Fuller Avenue where you’ll find two more Tibetan restaurants, Tibet Kitchen (1544 Queen Street West, 416.913.8726), a sit-down establishment catering to Parkdale’s large Tibetan community, and Shangri-La Produce (1528 Queen Street West, 416.535.1440), an aromatic take-out joint. Tibetan Imporium, a video/music store is just down the block (1506 Queen Streete West, 416.535.8780).
Another shop I wasn’t able to survey is Tibetan Paper and Handicraft (275 Dundas Street West, inside Village by the Grange). Toronto is apparently home to the largest expatriate community of Tibetans in the world outside of India and Nepal so the city is especially well-served. Karmapa Chenno!
March 12th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Hi there. Cool to see a Canadian style site. I’ll poke around for a day or two and see what you’ve got here.
Could I use images on my blog if I credit you properly?
htp://the-clever-pup.blogspot.com
March 12th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Hello, Clever Pup. You are welcome to borrow images as long as you link back to styleNorth. I look forward to perusing your blog, as well.
March 13th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Wow! Loved the box in the third picture frame – Far East meets Art Deco! Where was this baby found? Quantos? What materials was it made of? Need to see it – it might be just the perrfect addition to my den/office.
Thx- Cate
March 13th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Cat, I completely agree–that upholstered chest was probably my favorite piece. The textile is a traditional design used in women’s aprons, the wool is hand-spun. The workmanship on the box is superb and the price reflects it–$995. Still interested?
March 13th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
I’ll take a go-see. Where?
Perhaps they are negotiable on price? Afterall, kindness is the mantra, yes? Do they have sales to celebrate the lunar new year, peut-etre?
PS BTW Is it worth my while to pick up a copy of Design Lines Toronto – Hidden Gems? These “gems” seems pretty standard to me – no great secret finds. Advice? (money is tight – prefer to save for exquisite trouvees)
March 14th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Hi Cat,
No idea how flexible Kalsang at Tibet Shoppe is on price but I’d certainly make her an offer and see where it gets you.
Regarding Design Lines, it’s a great guide to shopping in the city albeit with a focus on high-end, high-design. But there’s also some fab decor porn in the issue and hey, it’s free! Or click through on the adlet above and give their website a peruse.