A bizarre cabinet of curiosities hidden right in Toronto may just be the city’s most unusual retail destination.
Known as the world’s largest oddity shop, SkullStore has long been a go-to spot for those seeking the weird, the macabre, and the downright fascinating.
The sprawling treasure trove on Queen Street West is packed to the brim with thousands of rare and unusual items. Spanning shelves upon shelves of natural history, the shop offers an astounding mix of ethically sourced animal skeletons, vintage taxidermy, ancient fossils, and genuine meteorites. You can even find authentic historical artifacts, prehistoric dinosaur bones, and real human skulls.
Founded by conservationist Ben Lovatt, the shop operates as a sustainable alternative to a market traditionally fueled by the destruction of nature. The store functions on a strict “conservation through preservation” ethos. The team also works directly with wildlife enforcement agencies to track down poachers, while sourcing specimens strictly from natural deaths, old collections, farms, and indigenous communities.
The store operates alongside the Prehistoria Museum, making it a part-educational hub and part-shopping experience like no other. Browsing the collection is completely free, catering to curious visitors of all ages, avid collectors, and major film prop designers, with pieces previously featured in hit productions like Star Trek and Suicide Squad.
While you could easily spend hours marvelling at shrunken heads or shimmering crystal formations, everything on display is available to purchase if you’re searching for an unforgettable conversation starter. Every item in the shop is legally and sustainably obtained, allowing guests to shop with complete peace of mind.
SkullStore is located at 1106 Queen St. West and is open seven days a week from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can also browse their massive inventory online on the official SkullStore website.
