Toronto has always had a deep connection with design, storytelling, and urban identity—but few institutions have shaped that relationship as strongly as the Spacing Store.
At Totally Toronto Art Inc., we recognize the importance of spaces like this because they don’t just sell products—they help define what Toronto feels like. And for nearly two decades, the Spacing brand has been doing exactly that.
The Origin of the Spacing Store: A Toronto Story Built on Urban Identity
The story begins in 2003, when Spacing magazine was launched in Toronto as an independent publication focused on urban life, public space, and the city’s evolving identity.
What started as a grassroots publishing project quickly became one of Toronto’s most respected voices on city design, transit, and neighbourhood culture.
By 2004, Spacing introduced one of its most iconic creations—the Toronto subway station buttons, a design series that would go on to sell hundreds of thousands of units and become a cultural symbol of Toronto pride.
These early successes turned Spacing into more than a magazine—it became a movement rooted in how people experience the city.
From Pop-Up Experiment to Permanent Toronto Institution
In 2013, Spacing tested the idea of a physical retail space through a holiday pop-up store called Torontopia. The response was overwhelming, proving there was real demand for a dedicated Toronto-centric design store.
That led to the opening of the permanent Spacing Store on November 21, 2014, located at 401 Richmond Street West, one of Toronto’s most iconic arts and culture buildings.
From that point forward, the store became a destination for locals and tourists looking for authentic Toronto-themed design objects, books, prints, and gifts.
Today, the Spacing Store is widely recognized as one of the city’s most unique independent retail spaces, consistently celebrated for its focus on Toronto culture and urban storytelling.
Why the Spacing Store Became So Popular in Toronto
The success of the Spacing Store is not accidental—it is built on a few powerful foundations:
1. Hyper-local identity
Everything in the store reflects Toronto—neighbourhoods, transit, architecture, and public space.
2. Cultural authenticity
The products are not generic souvenirs; they are designed by local artists and creators deeply connected to the city.
3. Strong media recognition
Spacing has been repeatedly recognized by Toronto media, including BlogTO, The Globe and Mail, and Toronto Life, for its cultural relevance and originality.
4. Community-driven design
The store operates as an extension of a larger urban conversation about how Toronto grows, changes, and expresses itself.
Spacing Store Today: A Cultural Anchor in Toronto’s Creative Scene
Located in the historic 401 Richmond arts hub, the Spacing Store continues to act as a bridge between design, journalism, and public culture.
It is not just a retail space—it is a reflection of Toronto’s identity through objects, books, and design storytelling.
For many visitors, it has become a must-visit destination when exploring Toronto’s creative ecosystem.
Why This Matters for Toronto-Based Art & Design Brands
The success of the Spacing Store proves something important:
Toronto audiences deeply value authentic, locally-rooted creative expression.
This is exactly where Totally Toronto Art Inc. enters the conversation.
While Spacing has built its legacy through urban design and city storytelling, we carry that same spirit forward through contemporary Toronto art, prints, and creative products that celebrate the city in a bold, modern way.
Introducing Totally Toronto Art Inc.: A New Chapter in Toronto Creativity
At Totally Toronto Art Inc., we continue the evolution of Toronto-inspired design by offering:
- Original Toronto-themed artwork and prints
- Contemporary interpretations of city culture
- Artist-driven collections inspired by neighbourhood identity
- Modern visual storytelling of Toronto life
Where Spacing focuses on urban design heritage, we expand the narrative into bold artistic expression for today’s Toronto audience.
From Cultural Icon to Creative Evolution
The Spacing Store helped define what Toronto-centric design looks like.
Now, a new generation of creative brands—including Totally Toronto Art Inc.—is building on that foundation by bringing fresh artistic perspectives into the city’s cultural marketplace.
We believe Toronto is not just a place to represent—it is a place to reinterpret.
And as audiences continue searching for meaningful, locally-rooted art, we invite them to explore our work and discover a new visual language of the city.
Shaping Toronto's Cultural Identity
The Spacing Store didn’t just sell products—it helped shape Toronto’s cultural identity. Its influence can still be felt across the city’s creative landscape today.
At Totally Toronto Art Inc., we see ourselves as part of that ongoing story—where Toronto-inspired design continues to evolve, expand, and inspire new audiences.
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