Welcome to Our New Chapter
… A month has already flown by since we opened our new flagship store in the heart of Bloor Street’s Mink Mile. This is our fourth location since Tillie Abrams broke the gender barrier, opening one of the first luxury retail businesses in Toronto. Seventy-one years later, her protégé, Jackie Chiesa, welcomes you to the future! Here’s what’s new…
“THE RESULT IS A BRIGHT AND AIRY SPACE REMINISCENT OF A JEWEL BOX”
THE GLOBE AND MAIL
Boasting over fifteen thousand square feet of immaculately designed retail space, our exciting new store is tailored to enhance the lifestyles of our over two hundred world-renowned brands of Tableware, Home Décor and Gourmet Kitchenware, while making your shopping adventure an unparalleled experience.
When you walk through our brand new doors, you will be greeted by Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland and the elegant fragrance of Dom Pérignon truffles wafting through the air.
While on the escalator to the main floor, a fourteen-foot wall of flat screen technology draws you in to our magical realm, with stunning visuals of the latest and most sought-after products available in the world.
“WE WANTED TO ALLOW CUSTOMERS TO USE THE PRODUCT IN ITS CONTEXT,” JACKIE SAYS, “WHAT BETTER WAY THAN TO HAVE TEA AND COFFEE USING THE CHINA PATTERN THAT WAS GIFTED TO THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE”
WEDDING BELLS MAGAZINE
Imagine Alice in Wonderland, as you pass a welcome new addition, our new contemporary lounge. In this oasis, we serve custom-blended Kusmi tea and Nespresso coffee in Herend porcelain, the tea set that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were gifted at their Royal Wedding. All of this, while relaxing on exquisite Jonathan Adler furnishings, under a unique Lalique crystal chandelier.
Don’t stop yet, like the rabbit in the tale, we know you are super busy, so we’re on to the casual room where there are innumerable displays of everyday dinnerware, from painterly glazed stoneware to minimalist white bone china. We have brought the outside in to illuminate your selection, as the floor-to-ceiling windows (overlooking the grounds of historic Victoria University, a college of the University of Toronto) allow tons of natural light to wash into the room.
“THE FRENCH CALL IT L’ART DE TABLE. BUT IN TORONTO, THE ART OF DRESSING A TABLE BOILS DOWN TO JUST TWO WORDS: WILLIAM ASHLEY”
NUVO MAGAZINE
Back in the main space we urge you to look up twenty-three feet and set your eyes on some of the most intricate displays of crystal in North America. Our Waterford chandeliers from Ireland and a grand St. Louis chandelier from France preside over a staggering array of tableware and home décor. The floor is laid out so you can easily spot what you are looking for, a nod to the creative team at DesignAgency who translated our message of accessibility and ease of flow. There are oodles of work-spaces where our best- in-class sales consultants are just itching to help create your perfect wedding registry, table setting, or choose that perfect gift.
Make sure to peruse the Gourmet, Kitchenware Department, which is back and stocked with everything you will ever need to prepare for Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Eid, Nowruz, Kwanzaa, Bacchanal… or just an intimate dinner for two.
“WE WANTED TO CREATE A REVITALIZED SPACE ON CANADA’S MINK MILE IN WHICH TO SHOWCASE OUR ICONIC BRANDS AND CREATE AN ENGAGED AND ELEVATED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE.”
JACKIE CHIESA, OUR PRESIDENT
Pass by illuminated glass cases filled with unique art pieces and you are back at the lounge, which will be an experiential hub for edu-tainment events in the coming months. From shaking up the latest cocktails, to arranging a snappy floral bouquet, we are drawing on Toronto’s finest to make The William Ashley Experience a community experience. Sparking passion and creativity is always on our mind.
Prepare to be amazed at the all NEW William Ashley!
