A Toronto favourite: Kid Icarus

What: Kid Icarus is a paper & gifts store and screen-printing studio

Where: 205 Augusta Avenue (Kensington Market) and soon-to-open second location in Parkdale  / Toronto

Hours: Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Kid Icarus is a pride of Toronto’s creative community. It was first started by couple Michael Viglione and Bianca Bickmore as a screen-printing company, had a run as a small retail store, and a few years ago, they moved into a bigger location. Now they’re about to open a second location! That’s a feat.

The Kensington location is full of air and light. I’m sure it’s an obvious destination for tourists in the market. I live nearby, so if I’m walking down the street, I can’t *not* go in. (Although that’s said for any paper store, really.)

They have their own line of screen-printed posters, stationery, wrapping paper, greeting cards and more. Their posters are coveted around the city. My friends will move towards them, touching the paper gently, remarking on having to find the perfect frame. They’ve also been commissioned to do work for other companies, for instance you’ll see a Cat Lady poster in a photo – that’s for a beer made by the Bellwoods Brewery. I’ve bought some of their cards before just to use as prints in my room. Nobody will get them from me! They sell handmade objects from other Canadian businesses, like the Regional Assembly of Text, but you’ll find familiar products such as Rifle Paper Co. in there, too. There are even jewelry cases and housewares by local artisans. A lot of products here are products you’d see at Toronto craft fairs like the City of Craft. There’s a cute craft/party supply corner, which is where I got my first washi tapes, so the store will always hold a special place in my heart! (You have no idea what you’ve done, Kid.) They are also the only store in Toronto besides Indigo I’ve seen to sell Flow magazine, so, points for that. (I have actually tried getting other stores to carry it!)

I really like that the store both categorizes items and shows ways to bring them together. How this store manages to fit so much in and still be roomy is great.

I’ve bought loads of gifts for friends & family here and everyone seems pleased to get something creative and cute!

Kid Icarus also teaches screen-printing workshops, prints custom wedding invitations & stationery and can frame their prints.

I recommend their products for: gifts, from the item to the wrapping, for your loved ones and yourself.