All Things Kawaii
Lovers of all things “kawaii,” the Japanese word for cute, will be smitten by the collection of darling items chosen by Miss Jenelle. A talented soft toy maker, she opened this imaginative store in 2004. Her inventory comes from bi-annual buying trips to Tokyo and ferreting out items on the Internet. Naturally, the shop appeals to children, but most clientele are grown-ups.

Clever Cardboard Décor
Inside, the pale pink walls are decorated with brown cardboard boxes housing a menagerie of plush toys. Cardboard tubes sliced lengthways and affixed to the walls make inventive shelving for notebooks with retro-themed covers and postcards made from old paint-by-numbers paintings. At the back of the store, a googly-eyed cardboard playhouse welcomes visitors. Inside, you’ll find pint-sized cardboard houses each containing a surprise item. From lunch containers or coin pouches to amazingly unique ‘loveables’ which are soft toys.

Endearing Playthings
Japanophiles will recognize the fun animal characters of Aranzi Aronzo designed by sisters Kinuyo Saito and Yoko Yomura. The sole Canadian retailers for this popular brand, Occupied carries tons of merchandise such as baby shirts, bibs, socks, mittens, pencil cases, key chains and tote bags. Each item sports a lovable critter like a bunny, dog, bear, cat or robot. She also carries the cool dolls by Simpli Jessi and ‘Rosenpigs’. This is the perfect spot to find a fun and unique gift.