Toronto-based boutique Clementine’s will relocate its current store to a new retail space at The James a mixed-use development rising at Scrivener Square in the Rosedale/Summerhill neighbourhood. The move is expected to take place in early Fall 2026, positioning the retailer within a curated cluster of specialty retail, dining, and wellness tenants.
While Clementine’s will relocate to The James, the retailer plans to retain its existing Yonge Street location for a new concept that has yet to be announced.
The transaction was negotiated by Toronto-based brokerage and consultancy DWSV Realty, with David Wedemire and Stan Vyriotes representing Clementine’s. The firm has worked with a number of premium and luxury brands seeking strategic retail locations in Toronto and other major markets.
A Mother-Daughter Concept Shop with a Curated Point of View
Clementine’s was founded in 2014 by Christina McDowell and her daughter Kelly McDowell as a curated, multi-brand boutique focused on contemporary luxury fashion, accessories, art, and home décor. The store’s current location at 1054 Yonge Street is notable for having been Roots’s first location in 1973.
Christina McDowell, a luxury industry veteran, spent 15 years at Holt Renfrew as the retailer’s Image Consultant and National Spokesperson before launching Clementine’s with her daughter.
“We started this together about eleven years ago,” said Kelly McDowell. “We opened in December 2014, and we’ve been moving forward ever since. The focus has always been predominantly fashion at a contemporary and new-luxury price point.”
The business intentionally positioned itself at a mid-luxury price point, offering established and emerging labels, often sourced from design hubs such as Italy, France, Denmark, and Japan.
“We’re in that beautiful sweet spot where luxury, value, and high design come together with an edited, modern assortment.”
The boutique operates as what the founders describe as a “concept shop,” with a curated assortment reflecting their personal aesthetic rather than a broad, department-store-style mix.
“Clementine’s collections are based on our perspective, our point of view,” said Kelly McDowell. “If we love something, we bring it in, knowing our clients will too.”
Christina McDowell said the store was built around a shared creative vision between mother and daughter.
“Colette was always one of my favourites, but I had my own vision, and Kelly shared that vision with me. We love what we do and work hard on it every day,” she said.
Product Mix Spans Fashion, Art, and Home
Clementine’s combines fashion with home décor, jewelry, art, and lifestyle objects, creating a multi-category retail environment. The store is known for carrying niche brands, along with limited-run or exclusive items.
The boutique also has experience with private label collections, including locally produced capsule pieces, though that part of the business is currently on hold.
“We’ve had a private label for years,” said Kelly McDowell. “We did well with it, and it’s something we want to bring back when we find the right partner.”
The concept has evolved over time, but the emphasis on curated product and personalized service has remained central.
“I think customers react to a thoughtful, intentional point of view,” said Christina McDowell. “They don’t want a mishmash of product. They want it to make sense.”
Moving to a New Retail Cluster at The James
Clementine’s new location will be approximately 735 square feet, about half the size of its current 1,526-square-foot space on Yonge Street. The smaller footprint will result in a more edited assortment, with a stronger focus on fashion.
“It’s an opportunity for a refresh,” said Kelly McDowell. “The Brand ethos remains, but more elevated and refined.”
The new store is expected to open around October 2026, aligning with the residential occupancy schedule for The James. The development is a 23-storey mixed-use luxury rental tower at 5 Scrivener Square, with approximately 10,500 square feet of ground-floor boutique retail.
It is being developed by Tricon Residential, and is positioned as a high-end extension of the historic “Five Thieves” retail cluster at Summerhill. The retail component is designed to complement the existing food- and specialty-focused strip on Yonge Street, creating a destination anchored by restaurants, boutiques, and wellness concepts. Within about one kilometre of the site, average household income exceeds $300,000, with a highly educated population and multiple residential projects underway nearby.
For Clementine’s, the location’s demographics and existing traffic patterns were key considerations.
“I’ve lived in the neighbourhood all my life,” said Kelly McDowell. “We know the hub that it is. That block already has great retail traffic, and we realized there was something special there.”
Confidence in the Multi-Brand Retail Model
Despite industry discussions about the challenges facing multi-brand boutiques, the founders remain confident in their approach.
Kelly McDowell said, “We believe strongly in the physical store and in the multi-brand experience. It’s about building your community and knowing your customers. We strongly believe in the value of community and love being part of this one.”
She added that a strong point of view is essential for independent retailers to stand out.
“We represent different age groups and styles, but there’s a big crossover,” she said of the mother-daughter partnership. “That helps create a clear aesthetic.”
Christina McDowell said the goal is to create an enjoyable, confidence-building shopping experience.
“Our philosophy is to enjoy their shopping experience and leave here looking fabulous, feeling fabulous, like you haven’t bought something you don’t need or don’t want,” she said.
She also noted that the mother-daughter relationship has been a strength for the business.
“We love it. We’re very lucky.”
A New Concept Planned for the Existing Yonge Street Space
While Clementine’s will move to The James, the founders plan to retain their current Yonge Street space for a different retail concept. Details are still being finalized, and the new store will operate under a different name.
The approach effectively creates a two-store presence in the neighbourhood, with the established Clementine’s brand relocating to the new development while a new concept takes shape in the original location.
A New Chapter in an Established Neighbourhood
For the founders, the move to The James is less about leaving their existing location and more about positioning the brand within a growing retail hub.
“We didn’t need to leave where we are,” said Kelly McDowell. “We love our building, we love our space. But we saw the opportunity and just reached out to start the conversation.”
As the Rosedale/Summerhill area evolves with new luxury residential developments and curated retail, Clementine’s aims to remain part of the neighbourhood’s retail fabric while refining its concept for the next stage of growth.
