Parade Boutique: July 2012

"When you don't think like everyone, you don't have to dress like everyone"

- Sonya Ha

Parade Boutique had it's humble beginnings as the first vintage clothing store at 38 Kensington Avenue, Kensington Market. It opened its doors in November, 1975. Since then the store has developed and changed its mandate, Queen St.West became our home for 25 years. And in 2007 we moved to our Danforth location, recently celebrating our 5th anniversary.

2012

The desire and inspiration for Parade Boutique began when Sonya Ha returned to Toronto after living in Chatelet, Les Halles, Paris, where fruit and vegetables mingle with couture and vintage clothing stores.

2012

She loved the organic mix and Kensington Market inspired her to create in Toronto what she had found in Paris.

Sonya expanded to designing her own line in Toronto, some with vintage fabrics. Developing Parade Boutique became her new passion, taking off from her background in theatre and film. The store quickly became a favourite haunt for shoppers from the theatre and dance community in Toronto.

2011

Many of our first clients in Kensington were students attending George Brown and OCAD (we were just around corner!) and we are delighted to see some of those same faces in our new Danforth store, 35 years later.

Along the way we developed a following catering to everyone from film and advertising to teachers and real-estate agents. We are also very excited about the young mums, with their adorable offspring, who frequent our store!

2012

It continues to be an exciting process/challenge in the re-invention and creation of our business in an environment which is slowly waking up to the fact that in the end supporting local business's is integral to our survival.