IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU AT THIS TREASURE-FILLED HAUNT
Story by Amanda Thomas
Photos by Mark Binks
Carolyn Eby discovered her passion for retail while working part-time during her years at university. Her mother, Barbara Scriver, was in search of a new project after retiring from her position as a principal, and came up with the idea of opening a boutique together. With eye-catching window displays and extraordinary collections in their Annex and Bloor West Village locations, Trove has been a Toronto retail staple for almost ten years, with an extensive collection of garments and beyond.
Expressing individual style is the fashionable store’s philosophy. “The most beautifully dressed person knows what looks good on them,” says Eby. “Somehow their personality shines through [their outfits] and it clicks. That’s what we strive for here.” For those who haven’t found their best look yet, in-store stylists are available to customers at no extra cost.
At this family-run store filled with sparkly treasures just begging to be worn, all that glitters is indeed gold. Stocking everything from flamboyant designs such as Desigual from Spain to more functional basics like Tribal from Montréal, Eby talks about what she looks for when amassing their unique collection. “Anything that’s architecturally interesting, or has an interesting design, texture or colour, that’s what we go for,” she says. “And that’s also the type of customer that comes to us; it’s not age defined, it is style defined.”
Being more design-driven than brand focused, Trove offers an assortment of styles at inclusive sizes of up to 16 in clothing and 42 in footwear, and all at different price points. This unique store houses Canada’s largest collection of El Naturalista footwear, an eco-friendly brand that allows them to order customised shoes. Other popular brands carried in-store are Betsey Johnson, Fly London, Clarks, Bos & Co, Cydwok, and Remix (vintage shoes often used in period films). Trove carries brands such as Dihn Ba, Second Denim (perhaps more popularly known as Yoga Jeans), Only, and Vera Moda among others in their clothing section.
The mother-daughter team extends the family business approach to their community as well. “We are very invested in our community, and the people here are very supportive,” says Eby. “We’re a neighbourhood store, really the counter-culture to what a mall offers. We need to be part of our community and try to listen and respond to what they want.” Eby and Scriver often work with artisans to tweak designs for their customers.
Between their accessories, clothing and footwear, Trove boasts a diverse collection of over 100 designers with a steady stream of new acquisitions and seasonal items, meaning it definitely lives up to its name!
