I don't know what was the first "big box" store, but I have to imagine Honest Ed's sets some kind of precedent. This is a 59-year-old, giant store that sells everything. It's like a charming mix of Vegas and flea-market, with all hand-painted signage.

When I got my first apartment in downtown Toronto, I lived about a block away from Honest Ed's. My first visit was mostly a touring-the-neighbourhood type of visit rather than a shopping trip. After about a half hour of browsing, I realized that the "Come in and get lost" slogan on the outer signage was no lie.

Despite the fact that the building takes up an entire city block and has 3 street-facing walls, there is only one exit. I had to ask the staff for directions twice before finding my way out. And even upon finding that, I realized that I would have to line up at a checkout counter before escaping. So I ended up buying a few random household items just so waiting in line to get out wouldn't be a total loss.

I've heard this same story from others, so I think it's a fairly common experience.

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Other art stuff: Unknown WWI soldier's sketchbooks. My latest purchase from the local specialty art book shop.