The best part of cold winter is the excuse to have many more delicious cups of coffee. West Islanders are lucky to have a specialized coffee emporium right in their midst.

Coffee imported from Italy is sold at La boutique du café Tazza di Mattina in Roxboro. You can purchase ground, beans or capsule coffee from Gloria, Caffé Harmonia, Dolce Vita, Caffé Barbera, Caffé Moreno, Caffé Lollo. Italcaffé, Caffitaly, Miscela D’oro and many more.

If you love real coffee and live on the western side of the island, you do not have to fight the construction traffic to buy real coffee, coffee makers and  supplies. They carry Saeco, La Pavoni, Avanti, Jura, Caffitaly, Rancilio espresso and cappuccino machines, and coffee.They have a selection of accessories for coffee as in frothers and cups of different sizes in glass and ceramic. Various cleaning products for all coffee and cappuccino makers are found as well.

If you want to buy a more traditional Italian stove top coffee makers, they’re here too. You’ll have a choice of many different sizes in brands Vev, Bialetti & Laila. Pretty colorful lines of accessories of home and tableware by Guzzini, Verdici and Bugatti are available to dress up your table.

This is also a local repair depot; They can fix your machine on site if it breaks – no more lugging it all the way downtown.

Location: 5 Commercial Ave, Roxboro QC, H8Y 2N9
corner: boul Gouin
Tel: 514-684-6161
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-5:30, Sat 9-4
www.tazzadimattina.ca  FB: http://on.fb.me/1eNfNva

When I inherited a giant flat screen TV and needed someone to install it, I knew to call Radio St-Hubert for help. They’ve been selling televisions for over 50 years and nowadays, this is a great go-to place when setting up a sound system. They are the center for Bluetooth compatible equipment – speakers, music systems, re-chargeable speakers, headphones, etc.

Top of the list is Sonos which is a smart system of HiFi wireless speakers and audio components. One app unites your digital music collection which you can then control from any device. Music comes to life with crystal-clear fidelity with zero dropouts.

You can buy Canadian by ordering Bryston amplifiers and speakers made right here in Peterborough, ON. Not only are you supporting our country’s workers but they are guaranteed 20 years.

For speakers you can buy Paradigm, Klipsch, Monitor Audio, Epos, Totem, Dynaudio, as well as sound equipment by Sonos, Pioneer Elite, Cambridge Audio, Anthem, Creek, Yamaha, Cyrus, Sunfire and Sugden. For TV’s it’s Samsung and Panasonic. Look for Tivioli radios and Illico digital boxes.

Buying electronic equipment these days is so confusing. So why not go to a friendly small business where the salespeople are there to answer informatively any questions you may have. Radio St-Hubert is a family business which for over 50 years is still going strong, despite the big box stores that have opened. This audio, TV, video business has survived with old-fashioned, patient good customer service and sales people who have been there a long time. Installation can be provided, and there’s a friendly in-house service department.

Location: 6278 rue St-Hubert, Montréal H2S 2M2 / Google Maps: http://bit.ly/26dK537
corner: Bellechasse
Tel: 514-276-1413
www.radiosthubert.com
Hours: Regular hours, closed Sunday

It’s hard to find clothes for the big guy in Montreal; This family-run business’s 92 year commitment to ending the struggle of dressing the hard-t0-fit man makes it the destination to shop the latest in men’s big & tall fashion.

From underwear to outerwear, they make it easy for you with their vast assortment of name brands. Fashions to fit any occasion you can find everything, including suits (to 70), in famous brand names like Chaps, Nautica, Report, Arrow, Pelle Pelle, Tommy Hilfiger, Hathaway, Axis and Columbia. They sell running suits, jeans (to size 78), dress and sports shirts (to size 8XL), dress pants (to size 80), corduroys (to size 66), belts (80), swimsuits and winter coats (to size 8XL)..

Now’s the time to hurry in to M.H. Grover because regardless of height, shape or particular clothing requirements, M.H. Grover will have you looking great in comfortable and stylish clothing with the best prices around.

Location: 4741 Wellington St., Verdun QC H4G 1X2
corner: 3rd Ave
Tel: 514-769-3771
Sale dates: until Jan 28, 2018
Metro Stop Station Verdun / Station de l’Eglise
www.groversbigandtall.com

We’re spending a lot of time this year buried in our nests trying to keep warm. What better way to accomplish that than with a fluffy light but toasty warm duvet. And I know where you can buy one at a great price too.

Ungava Duvet is located in the heart of downtown in a building right off the Main, selling well-made high quality duvets at low prices. They do special constructions, create made-to-measure sizes (even for cribs),  feather beds (or hypo-allergenic ones) and can even restuff your old duvet.

Better quality futons (1.5 cu. ft. density foam) are made here too, as well as futon covers, bases and bolsters.

You can buy pillows (goose down, feather, wool, silk) or wool mattress covers, and even silk duvets. Egyptian cotton sheets (600 thread count), bamboo sheets and silk bedding are sold, and ready made curtains too. This is the place to go to for lots of choices of duvet covers.

Since this is a family-owned company, they really care about their customers and what they sell – and provide expert service.  And they’re doing something right, since all those customers keep coming back year after year, since 1981.

Location: 10 Pine St. W. suite 112, Montréal H2W 1P9
corner: boul. St-Laurent
Tel: 514-287-9276 or  1-800-363-3533
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat 10-5
http://www.duvetsungava.com/
info@duvetsungava.com

Les Delices La Frenaie has five locations – east, west, south and Laval, so they’re easy to get to wherever you live. They have been a fixture in St-Leonard for years and you can find just about any kind of cake you could want.

Come here for: Bacio, Key Lime Cheesecake (15 others), Frutti di bosco, Dulce de Leche, Orange or Walnut pound cake (16 others), Limoncello, Heavenly Berry and Milky Way in 8″ or 10″ sizes (this can serve about 20). Some can be ordered 36 hours in advance for more than 20 people.

Sandra’s newest favorite is the understatedly named, Fruitcake. Imagine a Strawberry Shortcake made with an assortment of fresh fruit. It is light, whipped creamy, and not overly sweet.

The best deal is the apple, lemon, chocolate chip, or cinnamon marble cakes. I really like the amaretti biscotti. Trays of pizza (tomato, white, all dressed and vegetarian) can be ordered.

Locations:  8405  Lafrenaie at Jarry (514-324-8039); Rosemere, 199F Cure-Labelle (450-430-4222); 58A boul. Brunswick (514-542-4242) at boul. des Sources; 51 Westminster Ave N, Montreal-West (514-312-2253); 1276 Dollard, LaSalle (514- 363-8776); 8245 boul Taschereau, suite B12 Brossard (450-462-4000).
Regular Hours: Mon-Fri 6-5, Sat 6-2
www.lesdeliceslafrenaie.com

It never fails to surprise me how you can shop in discount stores in Montreal and get better, much better service than in regular retail stores. Jeans, Jeans, Jeans is the ultimate in service. To start with, if you drive there, they have always taken care of your parking (either paying for your meter or paying for a nearby lot) and now there is even a Car Jockey to park it for you!

At this outlet, looking at the huge selection of the latest brands and styles is overwhelming.   However, after you tell the knowledgeable sales team (who have been there for years) what kind of jeans you are looking for, they narrow the selection down for you – and bring it to your dressing room! No time is wasted as they will only select what you are looking for and before you know it, you are wearing the most comfortable jeans, in the style you want, in the color you want in exactly your correct size. They have brands which run 00-56. They know which ones will stretch afterwards and give you washing and drying instructions.

Next they take them over to their seamstress who will hem them for Free while you are putting your clothes on. Where are you ever going to get this kind of service in a mall?

And as if that wasn’t enough, the prices are always discounted. You can find a list of brands on my site:  http://smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=14  So gather your holiday gift money and head right here.

Location: 5575 Casgrain  H2T 1Y1
corner: St-Viateur
Tel: 514-279-3303
Hours: Mon-Wed 9:00-5, Thurs 9:00-9, Fri 9:00-6, Sat, Sun 9-4
As of Jan. 8th Closed Tuesdays
Metro Stop: Station Laurier / Station Rosemont
www.jeansjeansjeans.ca

Paradis du Maillot is a bathing suit treasure trove. A one stop shop for the whole family. This time of year it is hard to find a new suit that you might need for traveling south or a winter getaway. This is the shop to head to with thousands of the latest designer swimwear and bathing suit styles stocked for men, women (full-figure too) and children, at liquidation prices.

Women dread trying on bathing suits but they make it easier here. You can select 20 or so and go into their air-vented, large-mirrored try-on rooms to find the ones that look best and suit your personal style (ladies 6-32).

Suits from all over the world – David from Italy, Nygard, Tyr, Calvin Klein, Bikini Bay, Baku, Sunseeker (bra up to EFG), Diva, Alia, Gottex, Speedo – are there to compliment all body types.

For beach side, poolside or for execise, Paradise Swimwear men will find their favorite board shorts and European style above-the-knee trunks and Burnside brand. You’ll find children’s fashion and competition swimwear at the lowest prices from top brands like Speedo, TYR, Quiksilver.

Beach accessories can make your time on the beach or poolside more enjoyable: snorkels, masks, thongs, flip flops, sunglasses and towels are all there to add fashionable style and functionality.

Location: 9800 St-Laurent Blvd, Montreal H3L 2N3
corner: Sauvé
Tel: 514-389-2032
Hours: Regular plus Sun 10-5
Metro: Station Cremazie, Station Sauve
www.paradisdumaillot.ca

We tend to forget that we still have manufacturers here in Montreal and some still up at Chabanel! For a well-designed quality leather (or sheepskin) jacket or coat, you can head to Creations Jez. They do have some stock on the racks but anything can be made to fit just you. Longer sleeves, longer length, hood, inside pockets or even getting to pick whatever color you want, that’s what made-to-order is all about. Since this is a family business, you get wonderful caring service along with wonderful wholesale prices. Creative ideas like the leather jacket below which reverses to a waterproof rain jacket or the secure cellphone pocket are not the kind of details you would find in a mass market store.

Shop here for men’s and ladies’ quality jackets and coats, blazers, skirts, pants, designed and made in Canada with an emphasis on sleek and functional styles.

 This would be a great time to scoop up a three-button leather blazer. It is not only practical worn indoors or out, but is a forever fashionable garment to be included in your wardrobe. It completes any look, whether business or casual.

For the past 35 years, this family business has been known for their creativity, quality and a high level of customer satisfaction. If you love leather fashion, be sure to head straight to this showroom.

Location: 1625 Chabanel Ouest #1080, Montreal H4N 2S7
Corner: between boul l’Acadie and Hwy 15
Dates: Nov 11- 18, 2017
Hours: Mon – Fri 9 – 4, Sat 8 – 2
Tel: 514- 279-4547
Metro: Acadie or Cremazie
www.creationsjez.ca
inquiries@creationsjez.ca

Q: Hi Sandra,  I’m ready to pull my hair out trying to find hide-a-bed or sofa bed sheet sets.  My mattress is 4-inches deep.  Also wondering what you would suggest in trying to find foam mattresses.  The one on this sofa-bed has springs which are horrible.  Anyway…I really need sheets for it if you can help ease my desperation.  Many thanks.

A: The answer was right on my web site www.smartshoppingmontreal.com. Since 1960 we have had a sofa bed manufacturer in Montreal – Cameo collection. Though under new ownership, they still make them here. You can get a foam mattress from them – and sofa bed sheets of course. I have a queen size sofa bed from them and buy ordinary queen size sheets – not the deep ones though.

http://smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=318

Cameo Collection 7955 Transcanada Hwy, Ville St Laurent H4S 1L3
corner: rue Pomba
Tel: 514-337-2933