Torcon area tour: music stores & poll

Steve Music Store


In response to a query from Brenda Sutton, today's Blatherings is about music stores in Toronto. Here are a few that I've visited:

Steve's Music Store (415 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, 416 593-8888) is the closest music store to Torcon, about a 15-20 minute walk. I believe that Allison bought her 12 string guitar here. Go all the way to the back of the store to check out the room full of sheet music.

Long & McQuade (925 Bloor W, 416 588-7886). Nearest subway station: Ossington. Standard instruments for rental and purchase, accessories.

Saved By Technology (10 Breadalbane St. Toronto, Ontario Canada M4Y 1C3 Fax: 416 928 0262 Hours: Mon-Thur & Sat 10AM-6PM Fri 10AM-8PM). Great store for keyboards, computer/audio gear.

The Recorder Centre (984 Dovercourt Rd. Toronto 416-534-7931) has "the best selection of Tin Whistles, Low Whistles and wooden flutes in Toronto - a good selection of Irish and Scottish and English tune and song books, as well as an excellent collection of whistle books", according to this directory. Small store; I advise calling ahead to make sure it's open before you go. I bought a rosewood flute for my father here a couple of years ago.

Poll for musicians out there: favorite instrumental music store(s) ever?

My favorites include Hobgoblin Music (in Bristol? I visited with Fox when Urban Tapestry was invited to the U.K.) and a music store that Scott and Amanda Snyder took me in California. I am still dying to visit Lark In the Morning and another store whose name suddenly escapes me but I think has the word "elder" in it. (?)

Additional resources:

Cleverjoe.com's list of music retailers in Toronto

To get a map of any of these locations:

Just type the address into Mapquest. If you want to include the location of Torcon venues like the Royal York hotel (100 Front Street West, Toronto, ON M5J 1E3) or Metro Convention Center ( 255 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2W6), use the "Add Location" feature.

August/2003 comments: Read | Post | LJ