Toronto’s Ossington Avenue is experiencing a retail surge, establishing itself as one of the city’s most vibrant and sought-after shopping and dining corridors. Once dominated by auto garages, the stretch between Queen and Dundas Streets now pulses with independent retailers, stylish eateries, and lifestyle-driven businesses that reflect Toronto’s evolving urban identity.
“Ossington is on fire,” said Arlin Markowitz, Executive Vice President at CBRE, in an interview with Retail Insider. “There’s virtually no availability. I can’t think of another street in Toronto with such a low vacancy rate.”
A Growing Force in Canadian Retail
CBRE’s Urban Retail Team (URT) recently published its Summer 2025 report, underscoring Ossington Avenue’s ascent as a premier retail destination. With a walkable streetscape and a carefully cultivated mix of fashion, food, and beauty concepts, the area draws comparisons not to international strips, but to some of Toronto’s most charming shopping districts.
“There’s a certain cachet that’s grown around Ossington,” said Markowitz. “It started with a creative, artsy crowd and has evolved into a polished but still cool retail hub. It’s increasingly being talked about in the same breath as Yorkville Avenue or Hazelton, not in size but in terms of appeal.”
Destination Openings Add Momentum
Recent retail openings have further cemented Ossington’s desirability. Toronto-based fashion label Uncle Studios recently launched its first brick-and-mortar location at 46 Ossington, combining apparel with a built-in coffee shop. Across the street at 49 Ossington, Carhartt WIP, the fashion-forward arm of the heritage workwear brand, opened its first Toronto storefront. The lease was secured by Teddy Taggart of CBRE’s Urban Retail Team.
“Carhartt WIP could have opened anywhere,” said Markowitz. “They chose Ossington. That’s a huge compliment to Toronto and a testament to the street’s appeal.”
Also new to the strip is Central Taps, a Calgary-rooted dining concept at Argyle and Ossington serving elevated comfort food. The restaurant joins nightlife staples such as Bellwoods Brewery, Paris Paris, and Azhar Kitchen & Bar. The lease was arranged by the Urban Retail Team’s Jackson Turner and Alex Edmison on behalf of the tenant. Landlord The Pearl Group was represented by Markowitz, who advised on the listing side of the deal.
Also new to the strip is Central Taps, a Calgary-rooted dining concept at Argyle and Ossington serving elevated comfort food. The restaurant joins nightlife staples such as Bellwoods Brewery, Paris Paris, and Azhar Kitchen & Bar. The lease was negotiated by Jackson Turner and Alex Edmison of the Urban Retail Team on behalf of the tenant, while they and Markowitz acted for The Pearl Group as landlord for the marquee corner.
“Ossington has always been strong at night, but now the daytime foot traffic is building thanks to fashion and beauty concepts that operate around the clock,” said Markowitz.
Canadian Brands Thrive on Ossington
The street has become a launchpad for local entrepreneurs. Andrea’s Cookies, a homegrown brand known for its ultra-soft cookies, continues to draw lines at 166 Ossington. The lease was secured by CBRE’s Urban Retail Team, with Emily Everett representing the tenant. The team continues to work with the brand on identifying additional locations as part of its broader expansion.
Other businesses on Ossington include Linny’s Luncheonette, a new offshoot of the Linny’s steakhouse brand, which is gaining traction with its elevated deli fare.
“Ossington has become a destination where smaller Canadian brands can stand shoulder to shoulder with larger players,” said Markowitz.
The Suite House, located at 100 Ossington, is a standout in the beauty category. Billed as a “WeWork for beauty,” the business rents out luxury salon suites to professionals, offering services like nails, brows, and waxing in one place. The lease was completed with landlord Hullmark, a key player in shaping Ossington’s modern retail mix.
Landlords Help Shape the Street
Ossington’s transformation has been supported by several progressive landlords who have played a curatorial role in shaping the strip’s unique retail personality. Rather than leasing to banks or national fast food chains, these landlords have prioritized high-quality independent operators that align with the neighbourhood’s character.
Hullmark, a key landlord in the area, has been instrumental in cultivating a thoughtful tenant mix. The real estate investment and development firm owns several Ossington properties and has collaborated closely with the local BIA to help conceptualize the neighbourhood’s growth over the past decade.
The 100 Group Corp., another influential landlord with holdings across Queen West, Dundas West, and Ossington, owns the buildings housing Style Garage, Mejuri and Andrea’s Cookies. With decades of experience investing in Toronto’s high street retail, the group has remained committed to preserving the cultural integrity of Toronto’s most dynamic urban corridors.
Spillover and Expansion Nearby
With retail space limited and rental rates rising, nearby areas such as Dundas Street West are emerging as viable alternatives. While Queen West already shares synergies with Ossington, some businesses are now eyeing locations slightly north or west.
“Dundas offers lower rents and is gaining interest, especially from destination-type operators,” Markowitz noted. “But there’s no substitute for having Ossington in your address.”
Still, Queen, Dundas, and Ossington form a cohesive retail zone anchored by Trinity Bellwoods Park. “It’s a continuous, walkable ecosystem,” said Markowitz. “Like a Toronto take on how neighbourhood retail can feel vibrant and local.”
International Attention Builds
Interest from global brands has also resumed. According to CBRE’s URT, several international retailers paused expansion during the pandemic but are now revisiting Ossington as momentum returns.
“We were touring brands pre-COVID, and many are picking up conversations again,” Markowitz noted.
One of the local success stories on the strip is StyleGarage, a design-forward home furnishings retailer. Known for its clean aesthetic and Canadian-made collections, StyleGarage exemplifies the kind of modern, high-appeal concept that performs well in this evolving market.
For some fashion labels, Ossington is no longer a secondary location. In certain cases, it has become the flagship, even ahead of more traditional high-street areas like Yorkdale or Yorkville.
Shaping the Future of Ossington
CBRE’s Urban Retail Team has played a behind-the-scenes role in helping to shape the street, working with both landlords and tenants on key leases. From Andrea’s Cookies to The Suite House, and from Central Taps to Carhartt WIP, URT has facilitated a number of the street’s most talked-about retail additions.
As demand continues to build, Markowitz believes the key to Ossington’s sustained success will be its restraint.
“It’s a finite stretch between Queen and Dundas,” he said. “In retail, the best streets have a clear beginning and end. Ossington has that. It’s not sprawling. It’s curated, and that’s what makes it work.”
I love Arlin Markowitz❤️
love Andreas cookies
Also noteworthy: The Lunch Lady’s Toronto location!