Kingston’s west end gems

By Andrea Gunn

Looking for unique clothing, crafting ideas, or vintage furniture? How about specialty food products or craft beverages? You have to explore Kingston’s west end. Here are just a few of our favourites:

Om Indian Bazaar

New to the Reddendale Plaza is Om Indian Bazaar (710 Front Road), a supermarket with a vast array of Indian food products, including spices and condiments, ghee, rice, fresh vegetables, and more. The supermarket’s extensive flour section includes kuttu, moong dal, ladu besan, and bajri flours. The frozen foods section holds everything from packages of methi (fenugreek leaves) and tindora (ivy gourd) to delicacies like custard apple ice cream.

Sydenham Sweet Bakery

Sydenham Sweet Bakery (730 Front Road) is the place to go for old-fashioned goodies like date squares, chocolate brownies, jam-jams, cupcakes, butter tarts, as well as holiday-themed sweet treats. The Bakery has been a fixture at the Reddendale plaza for 13 years now. Stop in and treat yourself to something sweet!

Cocoa Bistro

Cocoa Bistro (840 Development Drive) invites you to celebrate every day with the gift of chocolate. Choose from flavours like Vietnamese coffee and cardamom orange to put together a custom box of chocolates. Pick up a bar of velvety Belgian chocolate or Ruby raspberry swirl bark. Check out the website for seasonally themed chocolate offerings as well. Cocoa Bistro also offers dairy-free versions of many of its products.

Baltic Deli 

At Baltic Deli (506 Days Road), you can pick up frozen meals like pierogi and cabbage rolls, and a wide variety of fresh meats and cheeses and canned goods. Thursdays are paczki days at Baltic Deli: these delectable plum jam-filled Polish donuts sell out fast every week. Be sure to stop by when the winter holiday season rolls around again; they’ll have some amazing European chocolate, candies, and gift baskets in store.

Sigrid’s Natural Foods

A Kingston staple for more than 35 years, Sigrid’s Natural Foods (506 Days Road) carries a full range of groceries (local, organic, natural) as well as a large selection of nutritional supplements and health products. You’ll find a variety of vegan, gluten-free, keto, and sugar-free products, as well as products from Kingston area farmers and producers. Gluten-free products include bread from Silly Yak Bakery, another west end gem.

The Revolving Door

The Revolving Door (500 Gardiners Road at Bath Road). Refresh your look with nearly new designer and brand-name clothing and accessories at this upscale women’s clothing consignment store. Open Tuesday through Saturday, with extended hours on Thursday (10 am to 6 pm, rather than 4 pm). Explore the store’s latest offerings on Instagram.

The Carson House

If your home décor is looking a little blah, you must check out The Carson House (1640 Bath Road), Kingston’s largest furniture and home décor consignment store. You’re sure to find something to fit your style, from antique desks to mid-century dining sets. Mix and match your furniture choice from the store’s selection of new linens and tableware. And for your DIY projects, The Carson House carries the Fusion line of mineral paints, ideal for both indoor and outdoor furniture, as well as appliances.

Stitch by Stitch Kingston

Stitch by Stitch Kingston has been Kingston’s go-to quilting and sewing store for nine years now and it’s busier than ever. New and experienced craftspeople can find a wide array of supplies, from fabric to quilting patterns and kits. Regular workshop topics include quilting, sewing, felting, embroidery, and appliqué. And if you’ve got a favourite old piece of clothing that needs some TLC, there’s a monthly mending series as well. The store offers new sewing machines for sale as well as service for your older machine. And Kingston’s own Purlin’ J’s Roving Yarn Company stops by the store every other Saturday.

Tie One On Creativity Bar

Tie One On Creativity Bar (1329 Gardiners Road) combines crafts and cocktails. Take a lesson in crocheting, macramé, or painting, or get creative on your own. Looking for some gift-giving inspiration? What would be more meaningful than something handmade with love? Enjoy a snack and a beverage while you get creative. As well as a bar featuring seasonal cocktails and local beer and cider, Tie One On also offers a selection of mocktails, sodas, and juices.

Kingston’s west end breweries

Speaking of beverages, Kingston’s west end has become a hub for locally crafted beer and cider, with Hard Way Cider Co. (748 Development Drive), Spearhead Brewing (675 Development Drive), Riverhead Brewing Company (631 Fortune Crescent), and Skeleton Park Brewery (675 Arlington Park Place) all in the neighbourhood. Learn more about Kingston’s breweries and cidery.