Epices Anatol Spices has been a fixture in Little Italy for years. I asked Jimmy how long you can keep spices fresh in your cupboard. He talked about keeping them well sealed in a cool dark cupboard. For spices that you buy in grains, you can expect them to stay fresh about 2 years. For powders, only keep them 1 1/2 years and for leafy ones, like herbs, only 8-12 months.

This wholesaler also sells retail, so the prices you pay are quite good. There is a huge inventory with 60 varieties of tea (even rooibos) and 150 herbs (some for tea infusions). Add to that 600 spices (cinnamon sticks, star anise), 90 kinds of nuts (macadamia, hazelnuts), whole wheat, soya and spinach pasta, buttermilk powder, dried mushrooms (porcini, morels, bolete cepes), sugar-free candy, wasabi peas, goji berries, peppers (chili, Szechuan, espelette) and henna for your hair, too. For baking, expect to find many flavour essences, bulk Callebaut chocolate, candied and dried fruits (papaya, pineapple, blueberries, peaches, cherries, cranberries) and silver pieces for cake decorating. They bring in their olive oil from a friend in Crete. You can get even better prices by buying in larger quantities.

Location: 6822 boul. St-Laurent
corner: Dante
Tel: 514-276-0107
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5

Women who have a preconceived notion of what a discount store is would be quite surprised by Boutique Avantage.

This lovely boutique open since 1983 offers great service and is fully stocked (4-18) with those labels you love – Gerry Weber, Rabe, Spanner, Junge, Conrad C., Lyse Spenard, Louben, Laura Lebek, and Vex.

Scarves, purses, hats and high fashion jewelry can finish off your look and make this one stop shopping. It’s comfortable shopping here, since they remember who you are, so you always feel connected. Taxes are included in the prices.

Boutique Avantage
Clothing (Women)
1264 Beaumont St, Town of Mont-Royal H3P 3E5
corner: Rockland
Tel: 514-733-1185
Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5

Duvet Millenium is a neatly organized manufacturer’s outlet which has all of its products lined up for you to compare, so you can decide which duvet to buy according to your budget and your desires.

– They specialize in Canadian down, such as Hutterite and Lac Brome down, and you can see and feel the difference between the down/feather combinations. The price ranges from $160-$500 for a queen.

– There will probably be bargain duvets for $99.99 and pillows for $9.99 along with body pillows, featherbeds and bolsters.

– You can have one made-to-measure, get an old one refilled or have the cover changed.

Location: 160 St. Viateur St. Est, Montreal QC H2T 1A8
corner: Casgrain
Tel: 514-481-3064
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 9-1
Metro Stop:  Station Laurier / Station Rosemont

Unlike other warehouse sales which are selling off liquidated merchandise from last season, b.y. Fashion is only offering the current season’s samples and regular merchandise at 60% off retail prices. This means that the stock will be available in all sizes (XS-2XL).

Since the first one was a huge success, they are opening up to us again. You’ll find over 1000 articles of feminine clothing in brands: Akela Key, Angels Never Die, Anna Scott, Filles des Sables, Fred Sabatier and Maneq.

Expect friendly staff to help you and at the fitting room.

Location: Redpath Loft Complex, 1699 St-Patrick  Suite 102
corner: close to Peel and Wellington
enter by: Shearer and Montmorency
Tel: 514-849-8882 or 888-387-6620
Dates: Wed Oct 10: 10-8, Thurs & Fri Oct 11 & 12: 10-9, Sat Oct 13: 10-5
www.byfashion.ca

Raffinati has been a well-known well-made Montreal label for women’s coats, raincoats, suits and sportswear for many years. The word Raffinati means refined and that is an apt description for this 30-year-old fashion house. You can be proud to be “shopping local” here because the clothing is manufactured in Montreal using fine fabrics imported from Belgium, France and Italy.

With a sense of what fashionable Montreal women love and the needs of our cold climate, the luxurious and stylish wool coats are fully interlined to keep you protected against our winters – or – select a designer goose down coat.

Location:

The elegant suits for the career women, sportswear, blazers, pants, skirts, blouses, dresses, camis and sweaters are available in sizes 2-18. You can even order custom-made clothing in size 0 and plus sizes

Women love the timelessness of their designs so they can keep collecting pieces to build wardrobes. The company likes to say that you can “wrap yourself in luxury” with their collection.

Along with their outlet store, about 3 or 4 times a year (March, June, Aug, Dec) they clear out their stock from their Meilleur showroom including scarves and jewelry to go with all of the above. Right now is one of those times.

Location: 9200 Meilleur, suite 400
corner: Chabanel
Phone: 327-4477 X 226
Dates and Times: Oct 4-7: 10-5
www.raffinalla.com

Just walk into Importations J.E.A. – Polcaro, in a downtown building to find a full men’s shop sporting only fine Italian labels (Versace, Cerrutti 1881, Valentino, Lubiam, Giudice, Fratelli Rossetti and D&G shoes).

Suits (36 – 50 regular & tall) run about $475, sport jackets $295, pants $125, silk handmade ties $25, and Egyptian cotton shirts only $65. There are beautiful designer ties by Versace & Cerrutti at $75 apiece.

You will not find synthetics here, only silk, wool, linen, cashmere and cotton – ask to see their “iron-free” cotton shirts. They also offer you a cup of free expresso while you shop.

Location: 1470 Peel St, suite 120, Montreal H3A 1T1
corner: de Maisonneuve
Tel: 514-844-3014
Hours     Mon-Wed 9:30-6, Thurs & Fri 9-7, Sat 10-4
Metro Stop:  Station Peel / Station McGill