Cloudy with a chance of meatballs!…read more We visited IKEA on a dreary day, in time for Thursday's 50% off main dish special. We found all types of meatballs. There were the plates of regular Swedish meatballs ($4.50), plant balls or falafel balls ($4), chicken balls or cod balls ($5) plus salmon fillet ($6). Incredibly affordable. Tikka masala with chicken balls was reminiscent of butter chicken although some rice was dry. Cod balls were served with tartar sauce and fries akin to fish n' chips. Then the Swedish meatballs with peas, mash potatoes and lingonberry jam just works in a sweet savoury mix. This meal didn't have to blow our mind, as we could have 3 plates for the price of one elsewhere! This IKEA location is generally a pleasant spot for a visit whether it be to find home furnitures, handy household items or food. It's a standard huge location with aboveground parking, and is situated off of Hwy 7 and Hwy 400. It's generally well-stocked and is packed throughout the day. The selection is still great for everything from kitchenware to lighting to beddings. It's nice to see that IKEA has maintained a budget-friendly selection including items under $5 for folks riding through a tough economic period. Skip it or hit it? Just realized how many people are hitting IKEA for a good meal.

I was provided with a service appointment date of June 3, with an expected arrival window between…read more8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. for a Taskrabbit assembler named Abby to complete the assembly of my IKEA furniture. When Abby did not arrive within the scheduled timeframe, I contacted him directly and was given information that conflicted with the appointment details I had received. I then contacted IKEA, through whom the assembly service had been arranged. After navigating multiple automated prompts and speaking with customer service representatives, the assembly was rescheduled for the same day at 3:00 p.m. Unfortunately, 3:00 p.m. came and went without Abby arriving. At approximately 3:30 p.m., attempts to contact him were unsuccessful, as he did not answer his phone. Despite spending the better part of an entire day communicating with IKEA's chatbot, AI support systems, several customer service representatives, Taskrabbit, and the assigned assembler, the task that had been paid for was never completed. While the IKEA customer service representatives I spoke with were courteous and genuinely tried to assist, neither IKEA, Taskrabbit, nor the assigned Tasker were ultimately able to resolve the issue or fulfill the service commitment. To date, I have never received a follow-up explanation from Abby regarding the missed appointment. As a result of this experience, I cannot recommend either IKEA's assembly service or Taskrabbit unless customers are confident they can assemble the furniture themselves or have an alternative arrangement in place. When problems arise, there appears to be a lack of accountability and communication, leaving customers without answers and wasting valuable time. This experience was extremely disappointing and has significantly impacted my confidence in both companies. Going forward, I will be taking my business to other flat-pack furniture retailers and would not recommend Taskrabbit based on my experience.

We bought a coffee grinder from the store and upon returning home, found that the cover was…read morescratched. We tried to return the product the next day buy the manager Jennifer refused to accept a return. She stuck to her guns and refused to budge saying it was just a scratch and being a floor model, it happens.

We were in search for a shower caddy and were just about to leave the plaza when we popped in to…read morehave a quick look. We ended up with a 3 tier corner glass shelf instead of a shower caddy and it was on even on sale. There was a staff member at the entrance with hand sanitizer and the cashiers had a plexiglass shield as separation from customers.

Had some time to kill before a showing, so I stopped off at this tucked away Homesense in Clarkson…read moreVillage, re: home of the old White, sometimes rich, people! Size-wise, this Homesense was not as impressive as the ones that I've been to at Bathurst/Centre (Thornhill) or even Vaughan Mills. It's on the smaller size, HOWEVER, the benefit is that it's waaay quieter than those other locations. Actually, it's probably even quieter than any Winners that I've been to! The location definitely has a part to play in that "been transported back in time" feeling. There's no sense of urgency or rush, just relaxation. I had a question about what was included in a package of bedding - it wasn't stated on the label - and the sales associate, who was doing something else at the time, actually went to another associate to find out for me. Who does that nowadays? If I were in the area, I wouldn't hesitate to stop here 'cause I don't like shopping in crowded places.

The TJ Maxx line of stores have always fascinated me…read more The three brands - WInners, Homesense and Marshall's - have made their trade in being a glorified clearance store for many low and mid-range brands, and this location in Clarkson is no exception. I'd argue that it's the perfect fit for the Clarkson community, as it accurately sums the sleepy, docile nature of the community. I ended up coming here to kill a few hours and get in on some late Boxing Day shopping after the New Year, and was extremely surprised to find that half the store was on clearance. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that a good 40-50% of the goods on sale were either marked with tags or set up on "Clearance" endcaps, which was extremely amusing considering there was SO MUCH of it still on display. $2 packs of PUR gum, dirt-cheap Christmas and designer decorations, all sorts of weird food items for pennies on the dollar... makes the mind boggle with how much product is back there that they struggle to sell it all even with 80-90% discounts. One thing I'll definitely give the store credit for is that it's generally very quiet, the service is prompt, and you're generally bound to find something you want, whether it's a weird knick-knack or a book that interests you. In the end, we ended up buying a bunch of themed Christmas foods (including peppermint bark coffee liqueur and chocolate candy-cane shaped shortbread cookies), along with some odds and ends. I find I like visiting here every time in the area. Despite it's similar layout and product offerings as Winners (take out the men's/women's fashion and you have Homesense), the service and selection put it a cut above. Definitely a worthwhile anchor store in Clarkson Village Plaza.

I love HomeSense, specially near Christmas time, when they have all the Christmas decorations,…read moreplates, Santa dulls and decorations, ornaments clothes, etc. When I got here, it seemed like the shelves were replenished just recently and everything was in stock. Best time to go to HomeSense, lol. I bought so many nice decorations and kitchen utensils and I'm happy about it.

Had an amazing experience thanks to Karlo. This location is always busy, but he managed to multi…read moretask, help us with a smile, and go the extra mile and help us load our new carpet in the car. He was super friendly and an awesome employee!!! 10/10 customer experience.

Great modern styles for very affordable prices!…read more This is the go to furniture shop for anyone who is looking for modern pieces at a cheap price. With cheap prices however, you can expect to see lower quality items. However, this is not to say that the items are not good for your home! This Structube is definitely one of the bigger ones. Clean space, lots of furniture options to look at. They also have a sale section in their back room where you can buy the floor pieces. Staff don't really make initiative to talk to you, which I quite enjoy since I just like to browse on my own. I haven't purchased anything from this store yet so not sure how the customer service really is but enjoy walking through the store for inspo! Definitely a great place for first time home owners or if you're looking for modern pieces at a fraction of the price.

After a long search, we finally found our dining room table and chairs. This location is…read moredefinitely bigger than others, so the showrooms have more on display. We didn't get a round table, which was our preference, but the rectangle seemed to work. We had to wait for the table and chairs to come in (placed a pre-order). The second time around, we were asked to pay upfront, but I explained we didn't have to do it for the table, so they didn't push with the chair purchases. I received a text message when the items came in stock, and pick-up was a breeze (behind the building).

I've been through the store before. This summer made my first purchase here. Bought a patio dining…read moreset. The ladies were helpful checking with inventory since the furniture sale started. Also helped me to see if I can find some cushions the patio bench seat. Service was excellent for Toronto retail. I didn't catch her name but she helped me get an estimate for what the delivery fee would be and I had the option to take 2 chairs home and come pick up the rest another day. Part 2 of my pick up, she recognized me and helped me take the dining table out of its box so I can fit it in my car and carry it out easier. She carried all the way outside of the store. She's petite and I wasn't expecting her to help me right out the door and she did! I can't say the same happens at other stores even if it's someone taller stronger, they may not help carry out something so willingly. Thanks for the great shopping experience!

VdeV is one of my absolute favourite shops in the city! During the depths of Covid, I had to move…read moreinto a new apartment and shopping here made the process much more enjoyable. During my move, I worked close to their old location on Ossington, and drew so much inspiration from their aesthetic during my lunch breaks. I bought everything from mirrors to picture frames to dishes to adorable trinkets to bath towels. I even painted my new bedroom the exact same Benjamin Moore green that they had in their storefront window. The space of their newer location on Dundas is wonderful (aka much more room for cute things). Highly recommend. Everyone is always friendly and helpful as well.

New Indian place on Yonge just south of Eglinton. They opened about two weeks ago and I was able to…read morestop by for lunch. I had the Cafe Irani Keema Pav - Minced mutton with pav (bread). It was a delicious meal. The keema was flavourful and filling. This is a starter dish but made a complete meal for me. It was quite oily though. Don't forget to squeeze the lime into the Keema. Hours later, and I am still full. They also have me a complimentary snack, an Amuse Bouche, a crunchy kale based snack with tamarind and pomegranate. Quite good. They had tucked a napkin under the keema pot. It's good to wipe your hands on a paper napkin while eating with your hands. The place itself has a relaxed nice vibe. The decor is pretty. I sat in the window enjoying the view. Service was friendly. They are keen and welcoming. The mocktail menu looks interesting. Prices are similar to other places in the vicinity. Their menu has a few interesting dishes which I will be trying slowly. They told me that next week, they are bringing in lunch-Indian-box, kind of like bento box. Stay tuned!

I like Beddington's in my neighbourhood. They are now owned by Oxford Mills - sometimes there is a…read moregood sale. The salespeople are very helpful as well.

This place has been here for decades on Spadina Ave. and I still love discovering surprising finds!…read moreI needed a small dish to put two condiments in and they had several options. Finally decided on this beautiful yin and yang style! The place is usually busy but we were lucky it was quiet on this Saturday morning. This place is a real Toronto treasure in Chinatown!

Basically, they have everything you could possibly need in your kitchen, from Vitamixes to bamboo…read moresteamers to eating and cooking utensils, dishes, glassware, etc. The aisles are on the narrow side, and the shelves are jam-packed. Ask for assistance from one of the many employees if there's something you can't reach on a shelf. Don't forget to show your George Brown College student ID card for a discount.