he majority of teenagers completing high school can only hope to get accepted into college or university, go into debilitating debt and emerge four years later with no work experience, a measly degree and zero cash in the bank. Then there are the lucky ones who know how to work it.

Take shop owner Erin Swan for example. She graduated from high school and hit the ground running, and never looked back. Working her way up the retail chain, Erin got herself sweet gigs as a buyer and manager at Girl Friday and as an assistant to lucrative Toronto dressmaker, Anne Hung. Soon enough, Swan was ready with all the know-how to open up a shop for herself.

Charlie Boutique is located on Queen West, just east of Trinity Bellwoods - nestled among all the fashionista favourites like Brazen Hussy and Carte Blanche. Charlie carries a small but quality packed selection of rarely seen lines mostly from Canadian designers out west and in Montreal. Dace’s floaty tunics, Peel’s svelte summer dresses and BB Dakota’s dress/coats all cater to the trend-conscious but classic Charlie girl.

It was dissappointing to hear that Charlie was just a fun name and not a loving plea to an unrequited love of days gone past. But Erin is such a sweetheart that we’ll have to forgive her and go buy her stuff. She has filled her little shop with a wide variety of price points so that on any day of the week, be it Paycheque Friday or Cheap Monday, there will be a fabulous piece to ease that consumer habit at least until the next time. We love Charlie too. –J.T.

809 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON
647-436-8452