Stanley’s

Y’all know I can’t resist a dusty old convenience store, right? There’s nothing better than finding a treasure trove of old accessories still in their original but yellowed packaging. My infatuation with aging stock began when I first walked into Stanley’s on the corner of Bathurst and Barton over twenty years ago. I knew of the place because I had friends who lived in the Annex and it was the closest local corner shop. It was also famous because former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau used to drop in on occasion (his baby mama lived in the neighborhood).

Most importantly, Stanley had a bunch of new old stock Rafael Alfandry jewelry. A friend was wearing a Rafael necklace and I asked her where she got. “Stanley’s” was her reply. I went the next day and bought up what I could afford. I told my friend and Canadian jewelry collector Eric about it. He bought up the rest.

Rafael was not the only draw. The store stocked all kinds of jewelry as well as an apple basket full of old patches. I bought a bunch back in the day but haven’t been back in about a decade. The proprietor was pretty old at the time. I assumed that by now he would have retired. But guess what? I was in the neighborhood today and discovered that he’s still going strong.

And there’s still a treasure trove of groovy vintage jewelry and accessories! Like this groovy hair stick and holder.

Or how about this pot leaf pendant and silvertone chain cuff. Stanley told me he bought the shop 58 years ago and most of the jewelry was already there then. I think his math may be off a bit because these pieces feel super seventies.

I can’t believe I overlooked these gems in my previous visits. I may go back again tomorrow to buy more of these fake ancient count pendants. I have an idea for making a necklace featuring all of these tokens. Wish me luck!