Stores on 11 Street offer savvy shoppers a posh, eclectic mix of one-of-a-kind home furnishings, accents, knick-knacks, food and clothing suited for every individual. A trip to this dynamic hub in the heart of the city should not be rushed, as there is much to see and do. Enjoy a lazy afternoon of sipping a coffee from Good Earth (1502 11 Street S.W.) while visiting each unique storefront or have breakfast at the Galaxie Diner (1413 11 Street S.W.) before taking a stroll. Mediterranean cooking is easy with Kalamata Grocery (1421 11 Street S.W.) nearby and with the largest selection of fine art and contemporary prints and posters in Western Canada, Prints Charming (1409 11 Street S.W.) is there to make all your printing wishes come true.

Open since 2001, Maria Tomás (1015 11 Street S.W.) began as a fabric boutique, but quickly expanded into accessories, lighting and furniture. “Everything we do is touched by fabric,” says part owner, Julian Riley. “We have the largest fabric selection in Calgary.” Offering an updated, classic style, Maria Tomás offers custom-made items from designers like Sarah Richards and Eva Zeisel, who is 102 years old and has been designing for the past 86 years. Zeisel’s “About Birds” themed glass tables soar with elegance and beauty and are a testament to her talent and dedication. Hickory Chair is also a brand carried by Maria Tomás from the U.S. that Riley says, “Jacquelyn Kennedy used to redo the Whitehouse in the ’60s.” Riley and his partner chose to open at this location because it was in the design district, which he helped to establish.

Just next door to Maria Tomás is Panache for Living (1210 11 Avenue S.W.), a five-year-old store offering transitional, contemporary furnishings. “We’re certainly not traditional, but we are transitional, contemporary with a touch of modern,” explains owner Ron Hahn. “Contemporary is the development of existing design and altering it into new fashion. Transitional is a much more traditional and classic (style) that has been really cleaned up, but its not identifiable in any period, ” he adds.

Hahn has been a designer for many years and has always been drawn to “beautiful things.” After attending many U.S. design shows over the years, he found himself asking, “Why can’t that stuff be here?” Panache for Living’s show room is now a testament to exactly what Hahn finds beautiful, such as glamorous mirrored tables, a cowhide shelf and colourful wall art from local artisans. He considers many of Panache’s items to be “the new eclectic,” which lets the store “introduce all different periods and styles, but do it in a way that works and that is fun.” Panache means to have flair, to have style, he adds.

To make a house homey, Steeling Home (1417B 11 Street S.W.) offers a wide variety of unique items from home accessories to fridge magnets to women’s jewelry to kids toys. “We’ve got a little bit of everything—there’s something for everyone,” says Steeling Home sales associate Johanna Hayes. In business there for the last 15 years, she says the location is great. “Eleventh Street is kind of a little bubble—it has its own shopping dynamic and it’s fun for people to come down and spend a couple of hours … popping into all the little shops. We’ve been here long enough now that we have our own little following, so it’s been great for us.”

Greenery can bring any room to life, and custom floral arrangements help make a home a relaxing, peaceful retreat. In addition to the many plants and flowers offered, Peaseblossom (1417 11 Street S.W.), also sells handmade cards, art supplies, stationary and giftware. “We are your local florist,” says owner Marika Styba. “(But) we also sell things that you wouldn’t find everywhere.” Open since 1995, Styba says she loves the location and would never leave it. “It’s very pedestrian-oriented,” she says. She adds that, being in the Design District, it’s a good destination point for people outside of the community as well. “We are happy to be part of this circle of shops that are very independently owned and locally-oriented, and we really think shops like this should be more plentiful like they are in other urban areas such as Montreal and Toronto,” she says.

Modecor (1415 11 Street S.W.) specializes in European and Canadian brand clothing and home décor. With locations in Edmonton and Calgary, the items carried are sophisticated and distinct, with half of the store dedicated to women’s fashion, and the other to home décor. Handbags, shoes, picture frames, vases and even baby items are found at Modecor.

For those looking for designer clothing glamour, Likrich (1407 11 Street S.W.) is the place to shop. Opening late in 2008, the store boasts hand-selected items from the hottest fashion destinations, including Los Angeles, New York, and Montreal. Inside, the store has a relaxed rock-and-roll culture vibe with music-inspired clothing, such as Kurt Cobain shirts and pants among other items. “We try to get more of a music memorabilia here,” says a sales associate. For “casual shoppers who don’t like the mall,” Likrich focuses on individuality by way of fashion. By only buying a few sizes in each item, there is less chance of two people wearing the same thing. “Don’t you hate it when you’re wearing the same thing as 40 other people?” he asks. Other designer labels include Hale Bob, Just IV Me, One Life, True Love Clothing and Rolling Stone. Having opened fairly recently, an 11 Street S.W. location was appealing in its varying mixture of people. “This is a classic street,” he notes. “This is the only street in Calgary where you’ll find people pushing carts and others driving Ferraris on the same street.”

Hip-hop and urban culture are alive and well at Giant 45 (1403 11 Street S.W.). Owned by the Smalltown DJs (a local spinning duo who perform at Calgary’s Hi Fi Club) who also own Phonics Sounds record store on 17 Avenue, Giant 45 offers a mix of apparel and vinyl records. “The owners and everyone who works here are all DJs,” says a sales associate. “Because of that, we’ve always gravitated toward hip-hop culture and apparel.” Giant 45 also carries some exclusive items from higher-end skateboarding labels such as Stussy and 10 Deep.

Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from 11 Street, Designers Choice Kitchen & Bathrooms Ltd. (1220 11 Avenue S.W.) and Bali & Beyond (1120 11 Avenue S.W.) offer tasteful and unique design ideas and products. “Our primary function is to do kitchen and bathroom remodels,” says Jim Rafferty of Designers Choice. “We also sell a lot of the better quality appliances here such as Sub-Zero and Thermador. Open since 1983, Designers Choice is a family owned and operated business that prides itself on excellent customer service.

Though there are $10,000 refrigerators, they co-exist with less-expensive items such as $150 bar stools. “We try to cater to people with good taste who want good design and good quality, but at varying price points,” says Rafferty. David MacElwain, owner of Bali & Beyond, fell in love with Indonesia on his travels and decided to import artifacts from the islands to sell in Calgary. “It’s art and it has character to it,” he says. “There’s a spirit of Bali that comes with their stuff.” Buddha plaques and statues, Barcelona chairs, petrified wood centrepieces and paintings (all from Bali) are located just downstairs in City Tile, which MacElwain also owns, and which offers virtually every possible tile imaginable.

Whether you’re looking for a particular item, perhaps looking for gift ideas or just browsing, there is something for everyone on 11 Street. And don’t forget to refuel along your travels, whether it’s at classic Palace of Eats (1411 11 Street S.W.), Fat Tony’s Pizzeria (1405 11 Street S.W.) or Michelangelo’s (1401 11 Street S.W.).  CL