Boutique U&I

Montreal high-end retailer Boutique U&I was founded in 1997 by 23-year-old Eric Toledano, who launched the business with $10,000 in savings. The first women’s shop was located at 1432 Mackay Street near Concordia University and catered to a young and trendy clientele. Known early on for its hip designer denim range (including brands Levis and Seven), U&I was one of the first local boutiques to stock Mackage outerwear.

In 2001, U&I moved to 3650 St. Lawrence Boulevard, in the midst of the then-thriving fashion and nightlife scenes on the Main. A year later, Toledano expanded into the retail space next door to add men’s fashion, which soon accounted for approximately 50% of company sales.

The shop catered to a clientele composed primarily of 25-to-50-year-old students, creatives and professionals.

While U&I continued to be known for basics like denim and outerwear (including Canada Goose), the boutique carried coveted avant-garde international brands like Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, Martin Margiela and Comme des Garçons’ secondary lines, Ann Demeulemeester, Philip Lim, Acne, APC, and shoe brands Cydwoq and Chie Mihara. Toledano also stocked local designer brands like Renata Morales, Denis Gagnon, YSO and Duy.

In 2002, U&I was the recipient of a Commerce Design Montreal prize for its minimalist art gallery-like store design.

The boutique continues to operate today at 233 St. Paul Street in Montreal’s Old Port, selling outerwear and women’s fashion.