Ten reasons to come to Acton. The Town's speciality stores offer a unique shopping experience. Shop Downtown Acton and find out why it's worth the drive!
Black Rose Guitar House, 18 Mill St. East
Not just any guitar shop, Black Rose is an independent downtown guitar store that is always an experience to visit. The vintage and classic guitars hanging on the walls straddle decades of rock and roll history. “Quality instruments, repairs and accessories available in a boutique atmosphere,” according to owner Peter McCracken. Black Rose Guitar House features Canadian-made Godin and Seagull guitars, as well as a full line of Epiphone models. Besides top of the line speakers and amplifiers, the store carries hard-to-find hand-wound tube amps made by Dave Robinson of Georgetown. Everything for the contemporary guitarist in one place, and then some.
Concept Leather company 47 Mill St. East
Zina Pallister has been in Acton two years but her Concept Leather Company fits right into Acton and its century and a half old leather industry. You might notice the 1974 Steelhead Harley-Davison with crafted saddle bags in the display window at the Corner of John and Mill. The store features everything in leather: hand bags, wallets, belts, hats, etc. “I love the consignment section because the quality is there, some of these pieces are 10-15 years old and they've only been worn once. Otherwise, what I do is constantly evolving and there is no one else around who can do what I do,” she said. Pallister is moving into automotive and boat upholstery besides her motorcycle accessories. Concept Leather Company also offers seminars in belt making, tooling and other leather disciplines. “There's always a project involved.”
Holland Shop 71 Mill St. East
Do you need some special spices for that Dutch Indonesian Nasi Goreng you're cooking up? How about some smoked eel for your Christmas eve smorgasbord? Or maybe a bright orange Dutch soccer jersey for the soccer fan in your house? While your browsing made-in-Holland products, imported chocolates, cakes, cookies and a wall of licorice (over 60 varieties at last count), why not order a sandwich from the European Deli at the back of the store.
Salvation Army Thrift Store, 130 Mill St. East
There is something special about small town Thrift Stores; the goods are not as picked-through or as threadbare as stuff found at the bigger metropolitan Sally Anns. Watch for special tag days, when clothing and housewares can be had at bargain prices. The smaller floor space means staff are selective of what they display; the rest goes off in a truck to Toronto. The Acton store features a tidy book area and a substantial toy section. The merchandise revolves with the seasons. Dig around a bit and you may even find some treasure.
Sew Productive, 47 Mill St. East (entrance off John St.)
Sew Productive has everything for the sewing arts community, offering classes in knitting, crocheting and potentially rug-hooking in the near future. Besides selling bolts of cloth, knitting and sewing supplies, the store also has a large cutting table with a projector so people can purchase patterns on-line and bring them in for cutting. Owner Melinda Noble is hoping that her completely accessible shop will serve as a learning hub for local crafters, knitters and sewers.“I want it to be a place where people can gather and share a passion.”
Sweet Molly's UK Imports and More, 352 Queen St. East, Unit 1
“We carry so much that appeals to a variety of people, it's not just a British shop,” according to owner Carrie-Ann Bennie. But the British meat freezer is well stocked with square sausages, black pudding, English bangers, Irish links sausages and even haggis. The next refrigerator holds a full line of British Cheeses and clotted cream. Hint: try the Red Leicester. UK chocolates are considered by many to be superior to North American products along with Walker's Crisps (potato chips) that come in unusual flavourings like pickled onion. The store also features an in-store bakery which supplies the pastries and cookies. One corner of the 2,900 square foot floor is devoted entirely to Newfoundland Foods. “We also want to get into salt beef and pork. Newfoundland products are much in demand since Sobey's stopped carrying them,” added Bennie.
Tic Toc Watch and Clock Repairs, 2 Main St. South
Watch and a clock makers were once as common as coopers (barrel makers). But these days you have to go further afield to find these specialists. Luckily enough master clockmaker Robert Sawicki has landed in Acton and set up shop on the south-west corner of Main and Mill. With 30-plus years repairing clocks and watches, Tic Toc offers quality repairs to all kinds of time-pieces. This is the place to take your antique mantel, grandfather and coo-coo clocks. What about the Rolex in your drawer with the broken strap and shattered crystal? Tic Toc also offers top quality watches and time pieces for sale. A naval chronograph watch would make a timely gift for someone special, don't you think?
Vinyland, 43 Mill St. East
Vinyland has been open five years and has grown exponentially in that time. Everything for the record collector, audiophile and music fan, plus T-shirts, hippie garb and music memorabilia along with stacks of records and rock 'n roll collectables. One corner is devoted to affordable used guitars and unusual instruments including more than one sitar. Vinyland also sells and refurbishes pre-owned stereo equipment and turntables, along with an on-site repair lab. There's something for everyone at Vinyland. Enjoy a free pinball game while you browse.
What the Dickens, Books and Curios, 145 Mill St. East
Tucked in beside the railway tracks, What the Dickens Books & Curios might be missed at first glance—but it shouldn't be. This is Acton's marquee book store and proprietor Ann Livingstone has all the genres sorted on the shelves, including an an “ologies”section that contains all the ologies: psychology, phrenology, astrology, philology, etc.” Most of the books are pre-owned but she has new stuff as well. The Curios part of the store includes collectables and vintage jewellery. This is Livingstone's 14th year in Acton. She confides she's always loved and collected books and arrived in Acton after a career working in school libraries.“It's something I always wanted to do. I lived in Oakville for years, couldn't afford to open a store down there so I came up here and I'm living my dream,” she said. “People in Acton who read, tend to read a lot. Those that don't, don't.” Dickens Books and Curios is open Wednesdays thru Saturdays and is currently hosting its Three Books for a Sawbuck sale (3 books for $10).
Zapa Projects: Coffee, Kids Play, Event Space, 17 Mill Street East
By the time you get to Zapa Projects with your kids you'll be worn out from shopping. It's a speciality coffee shop that features an indoor playground located right downtown. Catering to both adults and children, the business also sells artisan breads and some snacks. A climbing gym sits in the middle of the cafe where toddlers and young children can romp. The back room is filled with bouncy castles and inflatable play spaces that can be rented by the hour or reserved for children's birthday parties.“We wanted a place that would be comfortable for both kids and adults. And you can get a really good cup of coffee,” according to owner Kaylee O'Sullivan.
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