From The Fairmont Royal York Best Nearby Specialty Shops (Shopping) (10 Overall Closest) Metro: Toronto, ON Mediatheque (Shopping - Specialty Shops) 150 John St National Film Board, Toronto  ON  M5V 3C3 • 416-973-3012 Distance: ~0.843 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. The National Film Board's Mediatheque is a film buff's fantasy. At one of 14 viewing stations you can watch hard-to-find animated, documentary, short and feature films from the collection of over 2000, or catch a special screening at the cinema. And the shop sells a vast array of films, from seldom-seen gems to historic works to blockbusters. If you have a DVD collection of epic proportions, or want to amass one, add this to your list of places to check out! Mind Games (Shopping - Specialty Shops) 260 Yonge St Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto  ON  M5B 2L9 • 416-977-8994 Distance: ~1.003 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. Puzzles, game sand toys for brainiacs. And for the rest of us too. Soma Chocolates (Shopping - Specialty Shops) 55 Mill St, Toronto  ON  M5A 3C4 • 416-815-7662 Distance: ~1.804 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. You deserve a reward, don't you? Of course you do! A chocolate truffle is just right – rich and indulgent, but not too big. Soma's chocolate is considered by many local chefs to be the finest in town, and you'll find it on a number of restaurant menus. Try it for yourself at their shop in the Distillery District. In addition to traditional but oh-so-decadent candies, you can enjoy contemporary creations, gelato, cookies and hot chocolate. Spice Trader (Shopping - Specialty Shops) 805 Queen St W, Toronto  ON  M6J 1G1 • 647-430-7085 Distance: ~2.221 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. The Spice Trader focuses on organic herbs and spices from around the globe. Virtually everything in the shop is organic (minus a few items that are simply not grown organically). Along with more than 100 individual spices, from asafetida to wasabi powder, you’ll find custom blends like the increasingly popular Middle Eastern Ras el Hanout and Za'atar. And who knew there were so many different varieties of salt? The Paper Place (Shopping - Specialty Shops) 887 Queen St W, Toronto  ON  M6J 1G5 • 416-703-0089 Distance: ~2.427 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. Although it's certainly a destination for scrapbookers, unique invitation makers and crafters, this place has so many unusual papers that you'll be inspired even if you've never given a thought to the subject. Japanese, Thai and other Asian papers, Brazilian marbled papers, origami paper, journals, cardstock – the bounty is unlimited and incredibly colorful. A dazzling display! Science City (Shopping - Specialty Shops) 50 Bloor St W Holt Renfrew Centre, Toronto  ON  M4W 1A1 • 416-968-2627 • 877-260-8433 Distance: ~2.757 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. Know a future Einstein or Curie? Find the perfect gift for the little biologist (or chemist, astronomer, zoologist, botanist or whatever) here – puzzles, games and books, microscopes and monoculars, insect habitats, model volcanoes, build-your-own dinosaur skeletons, and an abundance of other interest-holding toys and kits that teach as they entertain. Rolo (Shopping - Specialty Shops) 24 Bellair St, Toronto  ON  M5R 2C7 • 416-920-0100 Distance: ~2.879 km         Description: DOWNTOWN. Sort of a combined gift shop and general store, Rolo is a fun place to browse even if you don't have a pressing need to buy anything. Hello Kitty change purses, Swatch watches, Alessi kitchen gadgets, Mathmos lamps – this is an exciting and eclectic collection. You may end up deciding you can't live without something you see here, even though you didn't previously know you needed it! Winkel (Shopping - Specialty Shops) 1107 Queen St E, Toronto  ON  M4M 1K7 • 416-465-4247 Distance: ~4.128 km         Description: EAST TORONTO. Classifying WInkel is difficult. On the one hand, with all the retro furniture and classic accessories, it could be called an antique shop. But that ignores the fabulous collection of new stuff they have. You could call it a home design store, but that doesn't give any inkling about all other stuff – handmade bags, greeting cards and paper, movie set props, and tons of other brilliant finds. Well, whatever you decided to call it, it's fun and original and the perfect place to find something unique. George's Trains (Shopping - Specialty Shops) 510 Mount Pleasant Rd, Toronto  ON  M4S 2M2 • 416-489-9783 Distance: ~6.303 km         Description: MIDTOWN. Whether the model railroading fanatic is you, your kids or grandkids, your spouse or a friend, a trek to George's is a must. The two-level shop is jam-packed with new engines and cars (all gauges), plus every accessory you can imagine. Need a tree, a toolshed or a tricycle to complete your layout? George's is bound to have it. And a complete selection of Thomas the Tank Engine stuff, too. Cupcake Shoppe (Shopping - Specialty Shops) 2417 Yonge St, Toronto  ON • 416-322-6648 Distance: ~7.339 km         Description: MIDTOWN. Sure, they may be a little faddish, but cupcakes have a certain appeal that a slice of cake just doesn't. This charming little corner bakery makes perfect little single serving cakes that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Tempting flavors like the James Brown (chocolate buttercream on chocolate cake), Mango Madness (mango buttercream on vanilla cake) and Curious George (banana buttercream on chocolate or vanilla cake) are popular, but with about 15 daily varieties, you'll have a hard time choosing just one! Copyright ©2001 10Best Inc. All rights reserved.