Sometimes you find something you fall in love with and want to take home with you. And sometimes you just want to check out the people that frequent the place. What's cool is that you can bring your clothes in for cash or trade. That's not guaranteed, however, as the staff are quite picky. Don't sweat it, though; they are in the fash biz, after all!

However, it's one of the only stores--well, that I know of--that SPECIALIZES in electronica pop, indie rock, etc., and you can't deny that the staff is knowledgeable. Also a section dedicated to peninsular artists, as can be found on labels like Jabalina, Elefant, and Acuarela. Some vinyl, and stations for listening; they also tickets to select shows (check their notice board). Expect to roughly 17,-EUR for one CD.

), but it's owned by the Watercourse folks (and located in the old space), so it should be ok, right? The preliminary reviews were pretty much on the dot; City is really more of a bar that happens to serve coffee (and veggie pizzas), a stylish nook that's kind of like a Cheers for the indie/creative community. Having said that, I was kind of intimidated about dining here, but the servers are in that friendly but unobtrusive Mathlete/A.V. club fashion, and the ambiance on one Saturday afternoon rather low-key. Perhaps I'll give it a second (or third) round.

EDIT: I went here four times in one week. Go for the #3 pizza with seitan!

The diminutive shop on the lovely Plaza Citlaltépetl provides a relaxed ambiance in which you can peruse design magazines, check out street duds or have a listen to any available album at one of four retro-fitted listening stations. From time to time, Discoteca also hosts intimate concerts with local bands; check online or stop by for more info.

Fancy Tiger is a neat place to get your local wares and fosters a sense of community. It seems that everybody in there knows everybody; if not, you probably will soon, either because you're checking out the same item or you're taking a class together. Everything is very cute.

You can tell that everything was handpicked carefully and lovingly by Lotta (its owner and namesake), mostly women's items (dresses, coats), and a handful of stuff for men as well. Guaranteed unique-ness, Jenny Lewis-ness.

Features interesting artwork to say the least (check out the latest [11/07] exhibit of ludic paintings and illustrations featuring penises, including one dressed as Bambi!). In addition to art, Mad is Mad also sells more "portable" items, such as books, zines, bags, dolls, toys...all in all, a great concept and also a wonderful place to shop for that discerning arty-indie friend. Oh yeah, the girl that's always there is really nice; they have an embosser and stickers and everything!

Their one screening room, draped with cosy red curtains and equally comfy seats, offers space for a mere 75-member audience, giving it a home theater feel. Prices aren't bad, either: 5,-EUR for regular screenings, and 4,-EUR on Tuesdays and after 5 any day. It'd be really great if they were a completely non-smoking place, but I suppose this is as good as it can get.

Your hard-earned money can go towards a Colfax shirt, earrings made from skateboard parts, even a haircut. Again, it's a nice concept.

When I do muster the courage, I actually enjoy going into shops as a way of sampling (and sometimes, supporting) the local design. Such shops abound in cosmopolitan and "podunk" locales alike, and Montréal is no exception. Though located in the Cours Mont-Royal shopping center, the Three Monkeys folks are neither too pushy nor aloof; the shopper is invited to enjoy the offerings at this contemporary museum of textile, as it were.

Twist & Shout seems to have found more suitable digs in their new-ish location across from East High and along with a branch of Tattered Cover, adds a bit more pizzazz to East Colfax. What the store might lack in the charm of a Championship Vinyl it makes up for in its professionalism and well, their stock of records, books, DVDs, and assorted music and non-music paraphernalia. Ok, so it's not as massive as Amoeba, but like all good record stores, if you can't find it, they'll try to get it for you.