As Vancouver contemplates dipping its stylish toes in the civic merchandising and branding business, let’s look at who’s already doing it and how well they’re faring.
The good
Toronto
For all the grief Toronto gets for being, well, Toronto, the city doesn’t let all the haters impede its self-promotion game. Wool socks, stylin’ neighbourhood T-shirts and subway stop buttons are just the tip of T-dot’s sophisticated swag-berg.
New York City
It shouldn’t come as a surprise the city that never sleeps also knows a thing or two about hawking self-referential merch. NYC’s City Store is always worth a visit, but if you can’t make it in person, the online experience is just as satisfying. From Bronx hot sauce, subway map socks and accent pillows to Central Park dish towels and Brooklyn roller skate onesies, the retail shop is several steps above the ubiquitous I Heart NY tourist trappings — although the store carries those, too.
The meh
Liverpool
The gritty port city loves its football and it loves its Beatles, but judging by the city’s merchandise offerings it also loves its Gateway Bridge spanning the Mersey River. Beyond the tea cups, key chains and T-shirts celebrating the architectural feat, there’s, not surprisingly, a whack of Beatles souvenirs. But what’s with the shopping bag celebrating the famous album cover of Abbey Road, located in… London.
The fugly
Mississauga
mississauga.ca/portal/services/shop
Let’s give credit where credit’s due. Mississauga has its own online retail store, and Vancouver doesn’t. And there’s even a section dedicated to Hazel McCallion, who served as mayor there from 1978 to 2014, and is still kicking it old school at 97. But the remainder of the Mississauga’s modest merch selection is dominated by golf shirts, fleece jackets and ho-hum travel mugs.
