Introducing: Dr. Martens opens store on Queen West
The place: The 1990s are back, big time. Biggie blasts on Chum FM, Sperrys and Red Wings are cool again, plaid dominates the city’s wardrobe—hell, even Ace of Base is back together. So we weren’t shocked to see that ’90s mainstay Dr. Martens is back in Toronto, too, with its first Canadian retail space at Queen and Spadina. The store is a yellow space reminiscent of the bright stitching synonymous with Docs. Oversized palm chairs are an inviting, if a little surreal, spot to try on the kicks, and for some reason, a piano sits at the register; guests are invited to play. We saved the rendition of Chopsticks for another day.
The stuff: Most people remember Docs from their Nirvana-era heyday, but the company is actually celebrating its 5oth anniversary this year. Offering much more than eight-holes (and angst), the store carries a plethora of more modern styles that typically retail for between $140 and $200. As we’ve come to expect from the fashion world, women’s styles are more varied than men’s (for fellas, most differences are in height, though there are manly unisex suede brogues), with wedges, heels and shearling-lined boots. The patent boots and shoes in metallic gold and silver have been such hot sellers, the store (only open for two weeks) has already had to restock.
The shoppers: Fashion types looking to ape recent runway looks from Alexander Wang and Balmain, gals sick of mukluks and Uggs as their only winter boot options, and hipster dudes adding a touch of badass to their wardrobe (boat shoes don’t exactly scream “tough guy”).
Our favourite thing: Fall may have just begun, but we’re thinking of spring with cute floral-patterned boots—a far cry from the maudlin mid-’90s, canvas ($100) and pony-hair boots ($430).
Dr. Martens, 391 Queen St. W.
One of the worst experiences I have ever had in a store. They did not have my size in a pair of shoes I wanted but they offered to order my size in. They insisted I pay for them in full before they put the order through. Every week I would stop in to see the status of my order. I stoped in today, over 5 weeks since I have ordered the shoes and was told that there was no PO for the shoes and they have no idea if they can get them in.
Buy your docs online or in another store, avoid this place if you value customer service.
Try late 70’s and the punk movement. Bovver boots they called them.
prices are not even close to usa dm stores. see dm usa portland,new york or san fran dm stores for examples.all made in china shoes now disolve in less than a year. buy them in usa stores if you can and still want them .
costs on dmusa .com stores are great but exchange ,shipping and duty suck and you end up with minimal savings if any . just go get fucked like a good little canadian consumer at this store.
lets make harleys in china to.
you sell gladiator boots