location: 1556 Queen Street West
phone number: 416.533.4664 - 888.693.6631 (Toll Free)
hours: 9 am – 10 pm, seven days a week
payment methods:Cash, Interac, Visa, Mastercard, Amex
Directions: from Spadina take Queen Street way west ‘til Sorauren Avenue

“Find ye treasures at Good Catch!”

The only pirate-themed general store in Toronto, and perhaps in existence, Good Catch is hard to categorize because of the myriad of things it offers to both the convenience store shopper and Parkdale community. Don’t let the fluorescent lights or linoleum floors fool you – this is not your local Mac’s Milk.

From $29 Spongebob windsocks to guitar amps, independent print magazines and a $1.25 helium balloon service, Good Catch’s diverse selection can be overwhelming but is a real treat for casual browsers. The store also boasts a small selection of paintings, jewellery, and silk-screened t-shirts from local artists, which can turn a drop-in into more of a shopping trip. Luckily, super friendly owners Daniel and Jola make finding specific items a pleasant experience if you’re only out for a quick store run.

Good Catch is crammed with a sweet selection of organic eats and specialty treats. $1.50 bottles of Natural Brew Root Beer, an impressive selection of vegan and fair-trade chocolate, and daily morning deliveries of fresh butter tarts and other yummy baked goods from Kensington Natural Bakery are enough to satisfy any alternative sweet tooth. Other specialty grocery staples such as soy milk, organic cheese, vegan home-cooked frozen foods and fair trade coffee can be found.

The highlight treasure to be found in Good Catch is in the store’s community focus. The community bulletin board at the store’s entrance is plastered with advertisements for Parkdale-area charities, special-interest programs and events, which is great for those new to town and community curious. Local craft stars like the Sweetie Pie Press, Coldsnap Bindery and Rat Girl Designs can be found at their themed monthly craft fairs (hosted the third Saturday of the month), while cheap used record collections and other interesting finds are available at their Treasure Trunk sale (second Saturday, monthly).
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Chantal Braganza