Muddy George

Along Bloorcourt’s eclectic mix of bike shops, Ethiopian restaurants and top-notch espresso bars, Muddy George pops out like a well-chosen pocket square. The menswear shop showcases finely curated racks of timeless classics that are made to last; for example, a fitted trench from Outclass, a Toronto brand, goes for a cool $650.

“The emphasis is definitely on quality pieces, pieces that you can wear for years — not just a few months or a few seasons,” says owner Altaf Baksh, who left a corporate HR job to open the shop.

Altaf took over the store, located just east of Dovercourt Avenue on Bloor Street West, from a scooter retailer in September 2015. “I knew I wanted a neighbourhood shop with a neighbourhood vibe,” he explains. He’s since filled Muddy George with a combination of his favourite brands and some well-researched staples. Think cowl-neck sweaters, one-of-a-kind button-downs and plenty of Canadiana. “I call it casual contemporary. It’s definitely not dressy and it’s not sportswear,” he says.

As for the shop’s name, Altaf took it from Toronto’s first nickname, Muddy York, and his childhood nickname, George, from the Curious George books. “It’s what my mom called me,” he laughs.