Going on strong since ’75, Courage my Love is a family-run vintage staple in Kensington Market – a unique pocket of downtown Toronto.

This shop is hard to miss – it’s a bright blue beacon sitting on Kensington Ave, with a few naked mannequins hanging out on the rooftop. My mom first dragged me to this shop when I was 6 or 7 years old and I remember perusing the many knick knacks, there always being different items every time we’d come back. Now I’ve become a regular myself – visiting often to see what new house-made earrings or crystal pendant necklaces they have in stock, or grabbing a few unique pieces to use as stocking stuffers for Christmas.

The owners source their items from all over the world, making trips to places like Mexico, Indonesia, Egypt, and Afghanistan to buy locally and bring back culturally rich items like glassware, beads, incense, leather goods, patches, and vintage sunglasses, to name a few. You can follow their travels and get a sneak peek at new stock by following their Instagram account – @cececourage. For as long as I can remember there has always been a selection of cowboy boots sitting outside the entrance, and over the winter months this is the go-to place to grab an ugly Christmas sweater. Kensington Market has a lot to offer in terms of vintage shopping but hands down, Courage My Love is one you don’t want to miss.