Operating out of a 4,300-square-foot space that serves as a showroom, print studio and design facility, Smash Salvage strives to be a trendsetter rather than just another retailer. Owner Paul Mercer, who has 25 years of experience in the industry, possesses a keen eye for materials that has propelled Smash to one of the top salvage shops in Toronto since it opened its doors five years ago.

“We opened the store (you might call it a showroom) because we knew Toronto was ready for an ambitious and slightly off-kilter source of well-picked, reclaimed, industrial and architectural materials,” says Mercer.

In addition to being a showroom, Smash creates custom pieces for homes and designers — tables, bars, flooring and sourced antique pieces. Their clientele is varied, and you can see some of Smash’s work in places like Gusto 101, Standard Apparel, Hopgood’s Foodliner and Porchetta & Co.

Smash, 2880 Dundas St. W., 416-762-3113