Where to Shop for Baby in Toronto/GTA

So in preparing for the +1, Kaniz and I have been schlepping around the GTA to visit some of the more popular baby stores.. and I thought my impression of the stores I've been to might help a few expectant 416/905 parents out (Thanks for Nishat for supplying a lot of the actual info):

Moms To Be & More
1644/42 Bayview Avenue, Toronto
416-489-3838
Hours: ?
This is my current favourite baby store in the city. The staff are very knowledgeable and always very nice. The store is much larger than it looks from the outside and has a great selection of strollers, cribs and rockers/gliders. We saw the Monte Luca Glider at a lot of the other stores, but we ended up ordering it from here because they were the nicest to us.

Dear-Born Baby
72 Doncaster Ave. (N of Yonge/Steeles), Thornhill
905-881-3334
Hours: M–Tu 10–7, W–F 10–9, Sa 10–6, Su 11-6
If you're having a baby in the GTA, chances are you will end up at Dear-Born at least once. It's kinda in the middle of nowhere (or at least in a location you wouldn't expect) but they've got a good selection of stuff, including a huge room in the back filled with strollers and car seats. We've been two times and had unattentive service both times. Prices are in line with some of the other stores listed in this entry, although they currently have a decent end-of-year sale.

Li'l Niblets & Sprouts
1654 Avenue Road, Toronto
416-249-9881
Hours: M-T: 10-6, W-F: 10-9, Sa 10-6, Su 11-6
This store is probably as good or better in terms of overall selection for cribs, strollers, car seats, etc. as Moms To Be and Dear-Born Baby, but I didn't get a great vibe from the store/staff. I think Kaniz made me get up early on a weekend to go to this place, so that may have been a contributing factor. Their crib displays are actually quite nice - they have complete mini nurseries set up so you can see the crib, dresser and change table in one place, which is much nicer than seeing rows and rows of cribs jammed together.

Kiddies World
1911 Dundas St. E. (at Hwy. 427), Mississauga
905-624-9092
Hours: M–Tu 10–6, W–F 10–9, Sa 10–5, Su noon–5.
We went to Kiddies World on our Boxing Day shopping expedition, and I must say, I was quite impressed with their selection of cribs and other baby/toddler furniture. The furniture here is definitely more traditional, although they do have the odd modern piece on the floor. They carry some of the more reputable crib brands like AP, Young America, Morigeau-Lepine, Natart Furntiure, etc. If you're out on the west end, you should definitely check it out!

Baby Cribs
1185 Dundas Street East (Dundas/Dixie), Mississauga
905-803-9689
Hours: ?
We found out about this store through eBay where this store does a fair amount of business. The owner, Enzo, was quite nice and a few forum posts seem to suggest that he's a decent guy to deal with. The prices for the cribs are quite reasonable, although I think most of the lower priced cribs are by Lil Angels/Concord, which doesn't have the best reputation (based on the reviews/write-ups we've read). They also carry a few Caramia cribs which are priced reasonably. FYI, the prices on the eBay listings are often a lot cheaper than the in-store prices, so if you are heading out to this store, check out the online listings first so you have some bagaining intel. His in-store prices include a crib mattress, so that could account for some of the price discrepancy.

Ella & Elliot
188 Strachan Ave. (at Queen St. W.), Toronto
416-850-7890
Hours: Tu–W 11–6, Th–F 11–7, Sa 10–6, Su noon–5
Interesting space in a fantastic neighbourhood. Great place for ultra modern (and expensive) baby stuff, but don't expect any bargains (even at 30-50% off on some items). In terms of products, they've got the usual suspects - Bugaboo/Stokke strollers, Netto/Stokke/Oeuf cribs, plus a host of other overpriced brands like ducduc, Bloom baby, Dwell, Iglooplay, Nurseryworks, etc. (but hey, can you put a price on your love for the +1?). The best part about going to E&E is grabbing brunch at any of the nearby eateries (we just went to Butler's Pantry - realy good omelettes and french toast) or taking a stroll in Trinity Bellwoods Park (but watch out for the Hadoken practising crazies!).

Crayons
974 Kingston Rd. (at Victoria Park), Toronto
416-694-9733
Hours: M–Tu 9:30–5:30, W–Th 9:30–7, F–Sa 9:30–5:30
I have a very good friend that just raves about this place, so Kaniz and I went and checked it out today. I wasn't super impressed (sorry Pam!), but we probably didn't spend enough time in the place. Not sure if they carry anything different than Moms To Be or Dear-Born, but the staff were friendly enough. For strollers, they carry the Bumbleride, which I hadn't noticed at any of the other stores.

Baby on the Hip
969 Queen Street East (at Pape), Toronto
416-465-4141
Hours: Mon-Sat 10-6 Sun 12-5
This was probably the smallest store we've been to, both in terms of size and products. Their niche seems to be organics, so if you're into that stuff, this store might appeal more to you than it did to me.

Once Upon a Child
We went to two different locations - one near Heartland Mall in Mississauga and the other at Steeles/Dufferin in North York. These stores mostly carry used baby items, although they do have some new lower-priced products (cribs are Lil Angels and Concord - see above). Overall, Kaniz and I had high hopes for these stores but were disappointed.. but once we get over the +1 novelty, we'll likely visit these stores again and buy a few much-needed items.

Aside from the above, K & I checked out a few other baby related stores that mostly sold accessories, toys and books only, so I can't be bothered listing them all.. but phew, talk about a lot of +1-related trips!

Now here's a list of places we haven't been to:

Direct Interiors
2005 Clark Blvd, Brampton
905-791-9660
Hours: M–Tu 9:30–5:30, W 9:30–9, Th–Sa 9:30–5:30
I've heard good things about this place in terms of their furniture selection. I doubt we'll be making it out there.

Safety Superstore
1600 Steeles Ave. W, Toronto
905-761-7233
Probably a must visit store once the baby gets mobile.

Belly Bumps & Babies
10341 Yonge Street (N or Major Mack), Richmond Hill
905-737-5764
Hours: M-Th: 10-6, F: 10-8, Sa: 10-6, Su closed

Babies R Us
We actually haven't made it into a Babies R Us, but we're planning on registering there for some of our baby items. I guess the best thing about this place is that there is bound to be a location near you.

Well, that does it for this post. Hope you found it helpful! If you've got a favourite baby store that I missed, feel free to post a comment. Happy shopping!