La Merceria {Toronto}
Ready to see some dreams put into action? This inspiring email just arrived so I had to share it, especially powerful for those of you dreaming of the day when you'll hold a set of keys to a brick and mortar store of your very own. Sandra Rojas-Chinni had visions of starting her own store and turned them into reality with the recent opening of home design store (complete with espresso bar!) La Merceria located in Toronto, Canada.
Sandra had this to say, "Thank you Holly for being such a great source of inspiration. I actually wrote to you last year asking for career advice because I wanted to make a change in my life and your blog has inspired me so much and in many ways it helped me and my husband in creating our own business. We combined his passion for coffee and food with my love and experience in the product and design fields. It's been a lot of work and sacrifice but seeing our dream come to reality is so rewarding and the response has been incredible. Many of the lines that we carry (such as Simplemente Blanco) I discovered by reading decor8, Thank-you again!"
How is that for inspiring? A couple going in on a shop together combining their talents to form a shop with beautiful things for the home and yummy treats for the tummy. If La Merceria had a Boston location, I doubt I'd ever leave. All this white space, warm wood tones, and subtle texture really clears the mind of stress and causes lots of creative ideas to take shape. I imagine having coffee here with a good friend, picking up some bath salts and a bar of lavender soap, then heading home for a relaxing soak while listening to a little Bebel Gilberto by candlelight. See what a good home store can do to a girl?
Congratulations Sandra, your shop is beautiful - thank you for the virtual store tour. :) For those of you based in Toronto or planning to visit there soon, La Merceria is located at 506 Adelaide Street west.
(images from la merceria)
Labels: store tour
posted by decor8 @ 1/09/2008
17 Comments:
you have gathered all the inspiring people with their stuff in your blog. Lovely! :D
I have only just discovered decor8 and I'm thanking God. Like Sandra I've been inspired by you Holly in such a short time. I've been reading all your past blog.
Sandra the glass fixtures are cool, I like how it saves space. The white and green are so engaging and refreshing. You have a little shabby chic going on with a latte in tow. Now I see my dreams coming to a life as I look at Sandra and her husband. I too with my husband are in the process of opening a boutique in spring 08'
I've since e-mail 15 friends about this blog.
Congratulation Sandra
nice feature Holly! I love the store. I have the feeling Sandra is from Argentina like me...do you know?
I absolutely adore this shop! It's like a little urban oasis! I love my tall nonfat toffee nut latte from Starbucks, but I'd drop that in a second for a steamy latte here (I choose the seat in front of the typewriter - love that touch). Thanks so much for sharing, Holly!
Holly- Thanks for sharing this! Sandra, best of luck to you and your husband. I'm a decorator in Ottawa, and I always have dreams like this. You too are an inspiration, and I hope everything goes fabulously! Besides, you can't go wrong with illy coffee!
What a beautiful place!
Sandra's living my secret dream! The shop looks great, and it's so close to my home!
Sandra is from Colombia, her husband from Argentina.
Good luck Sandra - from British Columbia. I will stop by and say hi when we are at the Toronto Gift Show this month.
Thanks Holly!
Ah, that is inspiring, Holly. And YOU are inspiring a lot of people I am certain...myself included.
Such a lovely looking space and, like you said, a brilliant idea to combine the two businesses together. Oh if only I were going to Toronto!
That is awesome. Congratulations!
I live in Toronto and this is the first I've heard of La Merceria!
I can't wait to check it out. Sandra, you have a beautiful shop. I'll be visiting you soon!
This is a dream come true. I'm so inspired to read this article. Years ago, I imagined combining a coffee shop with a furnishing store, but everyone told me I was crazy. I'm glad to see someone made this idea work so wonderfully.
I discovered this shop on my way to brunch on dreary sunday morning. And what a discovery! It was fresh, charming and friendly...impeccable. I could have bought the whole store. I didn't know about the background story of the owners. Now, I am even more enamoured.
Congratulations to Sandra and Marcelo. Toronto really needed a shop like this.
Hi Holly thanks for featuring La Merceria on your blog. As a result of your post, a friend of mine recommended that I MUST check out this gem. Well sure enough, I did and had great experience! If you live in Toronto or planning a trip, you must pay a visit, your senses will thank you : ) ...