Jul
05
2007

Guide To Shopping at Orfus Road Outlet Stores

Orfus RoadOrfus Road. This is an area of Toronto, that will make you think twice about venturing off State-side to do your outlet shopping, and spend your hard-earned Canadian dollars inside the country. Tourists? Orfus Rd. is a must-visit if you want to make sure you honour your promise of bringing back your parents, your cousins, aunts and uncles, all your sisters and brothers something nice (yet economical) when you return home. If you haven’t been to Orfus Road before, or need a refresher course for stores to hit, here’s a guide that will help. I’ve listed most of the stores I frequent, and some other notable outlets.

When To Go

You’ll need at least a couple of hours to get a good feel of Orfus Road. The best time of day to go is in the morning or early afternoon, because the stores get packed later on in the day with people getting off work or school. Weekends are almost always busy, but again, aim for a early visit. Most of the stores are open during official holidays (I’ve been on Canada Day, and Civic Holiday in August) so take this into consideration when you’re suffering from withdrawal when all the other malls are closed.

If you’re brave, try shopping on Boxing Day for amazing deals, but be prepared brave the mosh-pit of hungry bargain hunters and to wait a while in line to cash out. I went once in the late evening, but regretted it a bit because the lines were extremely long. It’s times like those that I wish I was a morning person.

Location

It’s close enough to the suburbs that people on the outskirts can get to in a reasonable amount of time, and near enough to the subway line for easy access. Orfus Road is located between Caledonia Road and Dufferin Street in Toronto, just north of Lawrence Ave. Landmark-wise it’s about a 7-minute walk from the great Yorkdale shopping mall.

Hours

Some of the stores have regular retail hours, but the majority of them are only open until 6pm Monday to Wednesday and close between 7-9 for the rest of the week. On the weekend hours are usually 10-6 on Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday. Check the store’s official site for detailed hours of operation.

What to wear

Dress for the weather and keep in mind that some of these stores might be a tad humid inside from the mass of shoppers and you might start to sweat while your dashing across the aisle trying to snatch that last red blouse before someone out-races you.

You’ll probably get tired from walking because there are a lot of outlets on this stretch of road. So forget the stylish heels and wear some comfy running shoes and well as roomy pants/shorts. Trust me… if you’re a shop-a-holic like I am, you’ll thank me for it.

Note that in most of the stores, you’ll have to leave your shopping bags at the doors. They’ll give you a pick-up ticket for it. It benefits both the store (from those naughty kleptomaniacs) and you (so you have more free arms to hold merchandise in).

Orfus Road MapHow To Get There

There are a couple of ways to get to Orfus Rd. depending on your location in the city. If you’re taking public transit, and are near a subway line, make your way to Wilson Station and catch the #29 Dufferin bus south (a 4 minute bus ride… I wouldn’t walk it from the station though). I usually take this route b/c the Dufferin bus runs pretty frequently and I tend to be a bit lazy at times… :D

Alternatively, you can take the subway to Yorkdale, walk through the mall (being careful not to spend too much of your Orfus Road money inside), and exit at Sears. Then you can walk through the parking lot, cross the street, walk down a couple of blocks and hit Orfus Road.

You can also bus it towards Dufferin St. and take the #29 north to Orfus Road, if you’re south of the area.

If you’re driving, the 401 is right there, so just exit on Dufferin St. and drive south for a couple seconds to Orfus Road.

Parking

If you’re planning on driving to Orfus Road during the busy hours (usually on weekend afternoons), be prepared for a lot of traffic and a lot of searching to find a parking spot. The outlets don’t have many spots in front of the store (especially Stitches, and compared to the amount of people who shop inside, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a spot). Your best bet is to park in the Yorkdale Adult Learning Centre/Secondary School parking lot (in the middle of Orfus Road), or at Rinx (if they’re not too busy), then walk your way towards the myriad of shops during your shopping extravaganza.

Food

Ah, yes… a lot of shopping calls for fuel. There a noodle place and a Korean restaurant near the Dufferin side of Orfus Road. If you have a sweet tooth, stop in at Demetre’s for some sweet crepes and ice cream. There are always hot dog venders within feet of each other on Orfus Road, so you can always buy some street meat to satisfy your hunger for $2. Don’t forget about Dollarama where you can purchase some cold drinks for a loonie.

Public Washrooms

There aren’t any public washrooms in any of the stores (at least in the ones I’ve been to). Signs are usually posted attributing to that fact). So if you have to go, try Rinx (the large indoor entertainment complex), one of the restaurants near Dufferin Street or wait until you get home.

Money

All the stores should have a choice of payment options: Cash, Debit, Visa or Mastercard (with the expection of Dollarama which is cash only, although now I think they’ve implemented a debit machine). Just make sure you have extra for all those impulse buys!

The Stores

Dollarama
My pick of the best bargain, dollar store. It’s one of the first stores you’ll see when you head down Orfus Road off of Dufferin. The wide selection of merchandise (and it’s quality compared to similar dollar stores) is great, in my opinion. You can find anything here. Whether you need to accessorize your new apartment, shop for summer party supplies, or just need some snacks to sneak into the nearby movie theatre, Dollarama’s got it. And guess what? Everything is only $1 (or less).

Grande Cheese Factory Outlet
Right next to Dollarama, this place has got to be a cheese-lover’s paradise. I’m sorry to say that as a cheese-lover, I haven’t gotten the chance to stop here yet… mainly b/c I didn’t want to shop for clothes carrying around a bunch of cheese in hot weather, or try to balance mounds of cheese with a handful of bags full of clothes after a day of shopping. I will make a stop there soon though. I heard they have a broad variety of Italian food products, deli-meats, and almost every kind of cheese imaginable at reasonable prices.

Urban Behaviour World
A nice mix of casual and club clothing at great prices. They have a large 3 for $10 rack in the middle of the store, but you’ll have to search to find something that you’ll like. A bunch of samples and end of season merchandise is located at the rear of the store. The rest of the outlet is filled with multiple offers (e.g. 2 for $10, 2 for $15), and current fashion items on the wall displays are priced between 30 and 50% off the regular price. I always find something I like when I go here. The have a men’s outlet a few stores down on the same side of the street.

Le Chateau
There’s a mix of dressy and casual style items at this liquidation outlet that carries men’s and women’s high-quality fashions, footwear and accessories. Their dress selection is pretty good, so if you’re looking for something semi-formal to wear at a good price, here’s the place to get it. The sizes are varied as well, which is a plus. Best of all, it’s a Canadian manufacturer/retailer. A great place to discount shop (especially during their midnight madness events).

Nine West Shoe Studio Outlet
A large selection of both out-of-season and current styles of fashion footwear, handbags and accessories at good prices. I just wished they carried shoes in my size (yes, I have big feet). It’s located beside the Le Chateau outlet.

StitchesStitches Outlet
I remember when Stitches was the hot spot to shop for clothes back when I was in high school. With the exception of the knock-off ‘Exco’ gear, this outlet store is packed full of great deals on clothes for the season for both men and women. I bought my winter jacket a few years back for $10… and boy was it ever warm! There’s so much stock here, that I think they can afford to sell the clothes as cheap as they do (mostly out of season with a great selection of current merchandise). Currently they have a “save 50% off the lowest ticketed price on everything in the store” sale (they do this periodically throughout the year) which can be as low as $2.50 for a tank top or skirt. I even noticed that they started to organize their jean display tables by size which is a plus (size 0 – 15). One note: There’s no dressing room.

Sirens
With a lot of the same fashions as Stitches, this outlet is located in the same ‘mega store’ warehouse as it’s sister-store. The selection is not as varied, but they usually have the same type of sales. Like Stitches, there’s no dressing room, so be prepared to give some of your purchased items to friends or charity if they don’t fit when you get home (at those prices, it doesn’t matter anyway).

Costa Blanca
For one of the smaller outlets, this store has a decent selection of ‘flirty’ wear for women. They had some really nice summer dresses for $15 the last time I was there, along with some cute accessories.

Beddington’s Bed & Bath
This privately owned Canadian retail chain specializes in quality fashion beddings and bath items, as well as some home decor merchandise. They usually have great deals and a good selection of sheets, duvet covers and bath towels.

Fairweather
Here you’ll find a lot of clearance merchandise that you may have seen at regular retail Fairweather stores. A pretty good all-around selection of casual clothes, summer dresses to more formal wear and business attire. Often has ‘tax-free’ sales and 2 for $10-ish deals.

Kitchen Stuff PlusKitchen Stuff Plus
I love kitchen gadgets, and Kitchen Stuff Plus outlet sure has a lot of them. Along with bathroom accessories, ceramics, kitchen appliances, candles, furniture, cookware, glassware and other home decor items, this store has sure got a wide selection of merchandise at great prices. Some brand names they carry include KitchenAid, Cuisinart and Umbra. Don’t forget to take a look at their little bargain bins near the front of the store by the cash registers… they usually have good clearance items there. Several times a year (during the warmer months), Kitchen Stuff Plus hosts ‘garage sales’ outside of their Orfus Road location to sell off various items that were either overstock, out of season, slightly damaged or missing part of the set. Near the end of the sale for the day, they’ll usually sell you a large plastic bag for $5 and tell you to fill it up with whatever’s left on the table (if you’re lucky, there’ll still be some decent items left) in order to get rid of the stock. I’m just glad I got my uber-cool travel coffee mug for $1, that sells for over $20 in the store!

The Shopping Channel – Off Air Outlet
All those gadgets and gizmos you’ve seen on The Shopping Channel will probably make its way to this outlet, which has a large selection of discounted merchandise. Best of all, you can see the products up close and even try some of them out.

Bikini Bay
Here you’ll find a large variety of swim-wear for women, girls, boys, and even babies. They also carry a selection of men’s swim trunks and aerobic-wear priced to clear.

Roots Factory Outlet
Roots has some of end-of-season and clearance merchandise, such as jackets, shoes, bags, accessories and casual clothing for the whole family. A great spot for saving off the regular prices (make sure you catch their sales promotions).

Barnes & Castle
Here’s another kitchen and houseware outlet that will be beneficial to visit. Barnes & Castle has clearance-priced, discontinued and new small kitchen appliances, cookware and flatware. If your hosting a party at your home, this is a good place to stop at for platters and drink glasses.

Sil Vous Play Sports
Not exactly on Orfus Road, but it’s located just off it at 131 Cartwritght Ave. I know there’s always a line up when a sale is announced at their Steeles and Highway 27 location, but I’ve never been to this one. They’re closed on Monday and Tuesday, but they have a nice selection of shoes, apparel, accessories and sporting equipment from brand names such as Nike, Adidas, Puma, Converse, Reebok, Timberland, Vans and K Swiss.

Other Outlets
There are many other stores on Orfus, including Bennix & Co, International Clothiers, Randy River, Ponti Designer Menswear, bridal wear shops and other wholesale retailers. Way too many to name and review in this guide, but be sure to visit them yourself (you don’t have to buy anything.)

Head Home and Clear Out Your Closets

I hope this guide on Orfus Road will be beneficial to you. Hopefully it won’t cause too much strain on your wallet. It’s a great area to shop year-round for those Christmas gifts, and half the fun is browsing, not necessarily buying. When you get home, you can go through your closet and drawers, organize your old clothes to make room for all the new ones, by giving some to the local Goodwill or charity. One of the best parts of a visit to Orfus Road is finding that one-of-a-kind item that cost you next to nothing. Multiple visits are recommended. ;)

180 Responses to “Guide To Shopping at Orfus Road Outlet Stores”

  1. Ms Good says:

    I love Orfus road I’m there twice a week, I do most of my shopping there unless I have a fancy place to go… They now have a YaYa&co outlet . My favorite store so far!

  2. Karli says:

    Last year my sister bought her wedding dress @ a store on Orfus Road, wondered if anyone can tell me the name and if it is open on Mondays!!! Thanks!!!

  3. laura says:

    The bridal store is likely Windsor Bridal! They have a website with store hours!

  4. Tammy says:

    There’s another discount bridal store at the back of the building that windsor bridal is part of. It apparently has $500 designer dresses etc. I saw one in person that bride got here and it was gorgeous.

  5. mariah says:

    IS there a LULU lemon store at the orfus road outlet? Anyone know the answer? Please help me out!!!

  6. Dar says:

    hey does anyone know if orfus road outlets will be open on thanksgiving. Thanks.

  7. Girly says:

    Will orfcus road stores be open 2day which is x-Mas eve?????

  8. Monique says:

    Not 100% sure, Girly. Try calling one of the stores to find out (the rest usually operate around a similar schedule). The number for Bluenotes Outlet store on Orfus Rd. is 416-789-2313.

  9. Carolyn says:

    Is Orfus Road open boxing day? Dec.26?

  10. Marina says:

    Anyone know the store hours for Boxing Day? (Wednesday December 26)

  11. Monique says:

    Hi Marina… I’m pretty sure all the stores on Orfus Road are open on Boxing Day. Been there before on the 26th and left with great deals!

  12. Marina says:

    Great! Do you know what time most stores open ?

  13. Monique says:

    Not 100%, but when I went in the past I would usually go to Orfus Road around 9/10am, then hit up Yorkdale Mall around noon since it’s nearby. Yorkdale opens at 8am tomorrow though, so I would aim to be at Orfus Road around that time. If stores aren’t open, just shop around Yorkdale til they are.

  14. Neeta says:

    Is there a suzy sheir outlet at Orfus Road?

  15. Suskun says:

    Hi I’m and employee at ofrus road and to answer all your questions about when its open simply we are open 364 days a years, and 365 days every 4 years, the only time were closed is on Christmas day.

  16. Monique says:

    Thanks so much for the helpful info, Suskun!

  17. Joanna says:

    Are there Maternity stores on Orfus road?

  18. Sam says:

    Is orfus road open on family day?

  19. Anisa says:

    can somebody tell me if there is a sibling aerpostale garage abrecrombie american eagle ardene outlet in orphus rd

  20. Shawn says:

    Hi, i was wondering if there are any shoe stories at orfus? i remember there was aldo many years back.,
    thanks.

  21. Soden says:

    Hi I have never been to orfus road and I wanted to know if there is any stores beside clothes like back to school supplies store or other stores and are ALL the stores?
    can somebody tell me if there is a sibling aerpostale garage abrecrombie american eagle ardene outlet in orphus rd?
    Please and thankyou

  22. Kate-Lynne Ariana Churchill says:

    I was wondering if there is any shoe stores on orfus road that sell converse?

  23. Caroline says:

    very informative,…
    Thank you.

  24. Cathy says:

    Is Orfus road open Family Day Feb 17/14? Is it a good place to look for Prom dresses?

  25. sania says:

    It’s been awhile 4 me and my sisters that went to ofrus road because it’s awesome to go shopping there and I still have my roots duffel bag it went on sale and I never give it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Sania

  26. TANYA says:

    Hi…everyone..
    I am new to canada and need to do some shopping for the spring..
    Is ORFUS stores open on esther (9th april).. Let me know.. thanks

  27. Luka says:

    I saw my friend walking with this awesome Doctor Who T-shirt and I asked her where its from and she just said Orfus Road ( She can’t remember the store name ) Can anyone tell me what store it might be? Thanks! :)

  28. TB says:

    I was just shopping on Orfus Rd, and seen a D.O.T patio furniture store, as I have been looking for a specific dinning room table I thought I would stop to look in. The store was open, my hubby and I proceeded in as I grabbed the shopping bags he headed towards the restroom and a guy yelled at him from across the store where DJ you think your going?!” The washrooms are located as soon as you walk into the store in plain sight and he replied ” checking to see if the bathroom is available?” The guy “says no no I don’t think so they are both out of order can’t you read?” “Well sorry, how convenient that both seem to be out off order at the same time, where do you Jo during your day?” “May I use a rest room!” “No, you can’t use mine!” So we say thanks for nothing, and proceed to look at the furniture.. But are stopped by the ignorant employee in a power trip having a bad day, asking where we were going?.. Well to look at the furniture isn’t thst what’s in this store??.. He then proceeded to tell us “No no your not, were busy here, taking down Halloween inventory were closed, you can’t look at furniture. Yet the store is open and people are entering and exiting the store.. “Okay, your the one losing paying customers and for what I don’t know but have yourself a fantastic day ahole! ” I for one will never go back to this store, and pass along the message to every single person I can verbally, online and any review I see. This store clerk should be fired! I am 6 months pregnant and simply looking to refurnish a dinning room and the stress you cause in just a matter of minutes to someone should have you at home jobless! I’m going to try now and enjoy the rest of my evening.

  29. Dionne hanchard says:

    Is there a particular cosmetics store on orfus rd that sells cover fx foundation makeup? Shoppers drug mart sell that particular brand but they are too expensive in that store plus they don’t sell my shade anymore…the name and number for that particular cosmetics store will be very much appreciated.

  30. Ree Ree says:

    Luv Shopping orfus road urban planet favourite always trying to put something together something different my own style luv there fashion even as I get older urban and let chateau always ……..

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