Over the course of the year we martiniboys.com writers have seen many businesses falter as a result of the recession. And though we are wordsmiths and not economists, it doesn’t take any kind of numeric adeptness to figure out that “the moneyed” have taken the biggest hit. Case in point: Rosedale. In the last six months, Kreiss Furniture, Lakes Restaurant, Summerhill Real Estate and Magic Thai -- businesses that at one time were part and parcel of the uppity Rosedale dynamic – all closed their doors for good, leaving behind their wasting carcasses as painful markers of the neo-depression.

But as the economy picks up, so too does Rosedale. With new openings like jewelry boutique, Coco and Jules, gourmet cafe, Delica Kitchen and The Drake General Store just days away from opening its second location, Rosedale is buzzing again (and that’s not just feedback from housewives on their cell phones). Adding to this kind of rebirth is lifestyle boutique, NYLA. Though the fortunate shop never had to seal up its entryway when days were bad, the facts that they are now in a new location, double the size and adding to the numbers of the gainfully employed are of course positive markers.

Though it is a common misconception for its patrons to think of the eponymous NYLA as a store that carries brands exclusive to New York and Los Angeles; this exclusionary attitude is not the case. Rather, owner Andria Boyd along with her partner Chris Saunders, have attempted to create an experience in the store that you probably won’t come across in Toronto. Like a New York, Los Angeles or even Miami boutique, the customer’s experience in the store is an individuated one. Boyd assesses the needs of her customers, knows her lines (James Perse, Splendid, J Brand, Foley + Corrina, American Vintage etc.) and brings the two together in perfect harmony. With that said, fans of the chaotic do-it-yourself world of Winners would probably not enjoy the hands-on, personal attention that is par for the course at NYLA.

For now, NYLA luxuriates in its bleached out, minimal modern Miami aesthetic, featuring boldly striped ottomans, glossy epoxy flooring, white exposed brick, tall end tables and stainless geometric stools on its main floor. But in the coming months, the second floor with an entirely different aesthetic, will be chock full of eye candy – that may involve some signature furnishings for sale.

Though NYLA is an upscale boutique, it may very well have done its part in saving Torontonians money this recession – thoughtfully bringing the essential shopping experience of “elsewhere” right to the heart of our ever-progressing Canadian city. – E.H

NYLA, 1062 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
416-924-3562