Not only does Stella Kim sell vintage jeans, but vintage runs in her genes as well. Kim recently opened high-end consignment shop Haute Classics (with co-owner Jina Han) but says her love of vintage started young and started in the family: “My mother was a vintage collector. I’ve been inspired by vintage all my life,” says Kim (946 Yonge St., 416-922-7900).

Vadim Mostovoy has danced all over the world, representing Canada in international competitions. Now, with the opening of Ballroom on Bayview Aug. 1, Mostovoy has brought the world of dance to North Toronto, along with co-owner Oleg Yedlin. The studio offers lessons in dances like the tango and foxtrot (1578 Bayview Ave., 416-894-5315).

Dave Johnston has sold a lot of fish and chips in 60 years. In fact, since Penrose Fish & Chips opened, even celebrities, such as Barbra Streisand and Catherine Zeta-Jones, have sat down to a plate of halibut and chips. For those craving dessert, Johnston recommends “a piece of my wife’s homemade lemon meringue pie,” (600 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-483-6800).

With the recent opening of Uncle John’s Candy Shack, John VanDen Beek has become a local Willy Wonka. “It’s all about fun,” says VanDen Beek, who sells more than 500 items, including a large British line of imported groceries and sweets. Starting in August, the store will also sell sausages, meat pies and baked goods (635 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-789-1133).

Judy Kusoglu knows cashmere. After all, the owner of new clothing boutique Cashmereness has worked with cashmere factories all over the world. “I’ve worked with other materials, but there’s nothing like the feel of cashmere,” she says (645 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-488-7800).