Jackie Paré-Cairns has a knack for finding real gems. Since leaving her communications role at a luxury fashion house a year ago, she’s gone all in on her pandemic-era passion project, Her Name Is Red (hernameisred.com), a Toronto-based online vintage studio that carries hand-selected pieces from the ’60s to the early 2000s. “My job now is to find beautiful pieces that hold history, that have been worn and loved and continue their stories through new owners,” says Paré-Cairns.
This curatorial talent extends to Paré-Cairns’s own black book of Toronto. While you’ll often find her zigzagging across the city in search of treasures, she’s partial to Corktown, calling herself an east-ender through and through. “I like being surrounded by small businesses, young families and little winding residential streets that have plenty of charm,” she says.
The Sunday morning brunch
Bonjour Brioche, 812 Queen St. E.
“Although it’s been an institution since the ’90s, I only visited Bonjour Brioche for the first time this summer, and it is such a gem! It’s a charming ‘no frills’ bakery and café serving French fare, and everything is homemade, including their salad vinaigrette and jams. I recently had this incredible triple banana pudding there that I can’t stop thinking about.”
The live-music moment
Sofar Sounds, Various locations
“We have a ton of talent in the city, and I love to discover new musical artists at Sofar Sounds concerts, where surprise musicians perform at surprise locations throughout Toronto. The atmospheres are laid back, and there are an eclectic range of musical styles. The last concert I attended took place in a residential home, where we took our shoes off at the door and sat on cushions on the floor with throw blankets. It’s a nice moment of human connection to be able to share music with other people in an intimate space like that.”
The vintage haven
Expo Vintage, 1450 Dundas St. W.
“The majority of my closet is second-hand, and Expo Vintage is certainly up there as one of my favourite places to buy curated vintage clothing in the city. Every time I go there, I’ll also make a visit to Expo Outlet if I’m feeling lucky. The outlet sells vintage clothing by the pound and although you may need to dig a bit, you can often find gems, like the buttery-soft bowling jacket I got with a mystery person’s name embroidered on the front. Hello, Valene!”
The date spot
Zed*80, 184 Danforth Ave.
“My husband and I enjoy competitive date nights at the arcade bar, Zed*80. This little spot has nostalgic, retro vibes and old-school arcade games — being able to play with a glass of wine in hand is an added perk! Wednesdays are our favourite day to go, since they offer two-for-one entry, and there’s usually no line to play Mario Kart 64.”
The repeat reservation
New Retro Basement Bar, 193 Carlton St. B1
“New Retro Basement Bar is a fantastic and unassuming little Japanese izakaya and sake bar tucked inside a basement on Carlton. The menu is limited in size but always thoughtful, and the dishes are made with high-quality ingredients from Japan. Their raw spot prawns and the Japanese rolled omelette are my go-tos. It’s one of those places where you can really tell they put a lot of care and effort into what they do.”
The cocktail bar
Oldtown Bodega, 402 King St. E.
“Oldtown Bodega is a standout for its inviting and relaxed spirit. The husband and wife team behind Oldtown have pulled together a magical little spot with amazing cocktails, handwritten menus and an eclectic and carefully curated interior that they have furnished themselves with vintage finds. I always get their Paper Plane.”
