CU RAT I ON PE RF E CT E D:
THREE MUST-VISIT GENERAL STORES & APOTHECARIES AROUND THE REGION WORDS & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN
THESE AREN’T YOUR GRANDPARENTS’ GENERAL STORES, THAT CATERED FIRST OF ALL TO NEED. TODAY’S EXAMPLES OF THESE TIME-HONOURED BUSINESSES ARE EXPERIENTIAL, IMMERSIVE AFFAIRS. LOVINGLY DECORATED. EXQUISITELY CURATED. EXTRAORDINARILY COZY. CATERING TO DESIRE. HAPPY MAKERS. SOUL CLEANSERS. IT’S TIME FOR A VISIT.
S UN D A Y GEN ERA L S T ORE 11C Suffolk St E, Guelph @sundaygeneralstore
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When the TOQUE team got wind of the fact that Robyn
entrance that reads ‘Sunday’. And the place’s exposed
Maude, owner of Blooms + Flora in downtown Guelph,
stone walls. And flat blue hue used strategically
had decided to open her own general store just a few
throughout. And the product – the wonderful product.
doors down from her flower shop on Suffolk Street, we were giddy with excitement. After all, Blooms + Flora, with its killer vibe, has always been one of our favourite boutiques for everything lovely – from cute
‘What we offer,’ Robyn tells us once we’ve had a chance to look around, ‘is a mix of curated home items, clean beauty and wellness products, local artisanal wares,
succulents to rustic bouquets to amusing cards.
adaptogens, and more.’ Yes, more. Like a full-service
In mid-November, once the brown paper was
coffee – including beans from the Department of
finally removed from the windows of this curated
Brewology. I order a pour-over and admire the most
apothecary, revealing a brand-new business, we
beautiful brass and glass brewing equipment and the
meandered up from the TOQUE office (located just
extraordinary grinder as it’s being prepared.
a few blocks away) for a first visit. And let’s just say the Sunday General Store doesn’t disappoint. Indeed, everything about the place feels warm and welcoming. And oh so photogenic. Like the gorgeous matte gold logo positioned on the large front windows. And the arrangement of black and white tile at the front
espresso bar, for instance, serving direct trade
For everything from barware and bitters to brass charcuterie and cheese board utensils to Lion’s Mane brain power tinctures to gorgeous coffee table books to wooden spoons and (seemingly) everything in between, be sure to check out the Sunday General Store. And don't miss out on having a great coffee while you browse.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Blooms + Flora – 182 Woolwich St, Guelph pod – 50 Carden St, Guelph The Lovely Co – 34 Quebec St, Guelph