When owner Brian Roxborough opened the Mad Bean just over a month ago, it was his attempt to not go mad. After 30 years in the information technology sector, Roxborough said he couldn’t take one more day. So he, his wife and his son opened a bohemian-looking café with a warm library feel that sells books and art (519 Eglinton Ave. W., 647-235-2456).

Adrienne Clarkson has been interested in growing olives since childhood, when she discovered a myth about a couple who received olive oil as a gift from Zeus. “They were given olive oil as a great treasure,” says Clarkson. Decades later, her own brand of olive oil, Sublime, is for sale at the Spice Trader & the Olive Pit (877 Queen St. W., 647-430-7085).

Owner Shaynee Schwartz is celebrating the 10th anniversary of selling upscale giftware at her shop, Shaynee’s Gift Selections, where she carries an array of gifts, including a large selection of stainless steel and Judaica. “If you come in with something in mind and you don’t find it, you’ll be sure to find something else,” says Schwartz (492 Lawrence Ave. W., 416-787-4497).

Divana, the new jewellery store owned by Vered and Dov Lavi, has been a lifetime in the making. Vered, who moved with her husband from Israel eight years ago, says she has designed jewellery her whole life. The store offers high-end jewellery made personally by the Lavis, who currently sell their line in 180 Canadian stores (380 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-480-1222).

Kidshill is Debbie Bendavid’s first shop, and she wanted to do it right. The children’s clothing store in Forest Hill offers lines for kids up to age 16 and carries mostly American and Canadian brands. Bendavid said she also has something for every occasion (1048 Eglinton Ave. W., 647-341-4454)