As is always the case, change comes whether we want it or not. Boutique fashion stores have bloomed along Ossington in the last few years – from the early arrival of Johnathan and Olivia to the recent addition of Tiger of Sweden to PopUp 120. The list goes on. This week, unfortunately, we heard about the imminent departure of a beloved independent local retail store, Philip Sparks, as well as local salon Lush and Lavish.
Philip Sparks ran a number of pop-up shops on Ossington before deciding to move in permanently in March of 2012. His store has been a staple of the fashion industry on the street and in the city, and he’s a regular host of evening cocktails, tie making and other events during festivals and other times of year. He has always maintained his studio in the junction and he’ll be continuing to sell his clothes from there. In the meantime, stop in to his shop this weekend as he is having a good sale.
Lush and Lavish was the first beauty salon on the strip, having opened in 2008. 
After giving haircuts, blowouts, massages, manis and more, and posting a series of fun and light-hearted signs out front of 200 Ossington, they posted on their site that as of March 1 they are closed. The strip is now home to 2 full-service hair salons and a mani-pedi/wax spot, so who knows what will fill the space? In their message, they promise “new and exciting things” so we’ll keep you posted.
As always, remember to shop – and get your hair done – local! Support our neighbors.
