Black Market Vintage Upstairs — Local services in Toronto

Coming to the current location as someone who really loved the previous location years ago when I was first branching into alternative subculture fashion and history… It’s hard to describe, but coming here these days just makes me kind of sad.

Finding the kind of clothing I like in a city with the kind of modern fashion climate Toronto has is consistently a tall order; has been for years. I don’t have any interest in critiquing stores for not catering particularly to me. I can say, however, that the atmosphere, quality and sheer variety of clothing I used to find at Black Market was a huge comfort to me. Years ago, I could always find something weird, dramatic, or unique with ease and for really affordable prices. It was always really really fun to shop there. Any time I’ve come in within the last year or two has had absolutely none of the charm the old place had. Additionally, the clothes seem to have gotten worse and worse in almost every qualitative aspect except quantity. There’s still a lot of it, but it has a kind of fast fashion monotony to it. The kind of stuff you would see a lot of on the instagram explore tab, not the kind of stuff I could wear to a goth show. The vintage selections are lower quality and have less variety. Lots of dirty t-shirts, not much else of interest.

I’m glad that other people in these reviews seem to be finding what they’re looking for, but it’s abundantly clear that the store’s current demographic is very different than it has been in the past. There’s another review on this page that describes it as “a part of toronto culture now lost”, and I have to agree. I don’t work in fashion retail. I’m almost positive there are very understandable reasons for the changes that I can’t see as a customer. What I do know is that the presence of fashion subculture in this city has been getting drastically smaller and smaller. Seeing a place that used to feel so unique become what it is now.. Yeah, I can’t think of any more specific or eloquent way to word it. It...

I do like this place. I was going to dub it the "alternative" Value Village, but it definitely offers more than that. Everything is at the low, low price of $10, but my irrational brain kicks in and tells me that it doesn't make sense to buy the priciest thing in the store (even if it's a mere ten bucks).

But that's fine! There's quite a collection of $2 and $5 tees etc. as well. Love the satisfaction of scoring a good find, especially if it's the last print - and for the price of a coffee. And, of course there's the extras. It's sometimes hard to find a good fit - but there's big bulky denim jackets (that you would find for around $50 in Kensington), denim vests, rasta sweaters etc. all for ten bucks! I haven't found one that fit me perfectly, but I've been close, and am still awaiting that great find.

Tees are organized alphabetically, which is kind of funny as we don't know their titles specifically. They have a great selection of prints here: a lot of obscure pop culture references, alternative artists... Where else? They print their designs on decent-quality used clothing it appears, so do your due diligence and look for the best quality shirt. A buddy once scored with a nice Banana Republic tee.

Interesting barbershop at the back, changerooms, nihilistic-looking staff. -1 star for inconsistent/nonexistent service. I don't expect much from here, but they've rubbed me the wrong way once when they chased a friend of mine out of the store, accusing her of shoplifting (to no avail). They apologized, but it...

Every single time I've gone in here the employees (not just one, pretty much ALL of them.) have been unbelievably rude and condescending. I asked if I could put a coat I wanted to buy aside while I shopped and the girl got all weird about it. Literally said "um...I don't like...know if we do that here? I'll like...check..." She ended up letting me keep it at the counter so I could keep shopping, and then said no to my friend. I also have social anxiety disorder and my friends watched as 2 workers ridiculed me for being socially awkward after I bought my stuff.

The products are good and the prices are great but it is absolutely not worth dealing with the people there. This place should be bought by people who actually know customer service. Lost one forever and I tell people to stay away. I honestly hope you guys go out of business because you clearly don't know how to run one. There's lots of good vintage stores in Toronto that won't treat you...