Spread the Hamilton love!
Whether you're shopping for someone who was born and raised here, a newcomer or a Hamiltonian living elsewhere, there are plenty of choices when it comes to helping those on your holiday list show off their hometown pride.
Seeing people out on the street wearing Hamilton gear or visiting a house in the city with local art or memorabilia just never gets old. It wasn’t that long ago that Hamiltonians kept their hometown pride quiet. Not anymore and we are totally here for it.
Here are just a few of our favourite options.
The Hamilton Store (online only)
Since 2013, The Hamilton Store has been catering to Hamiltonians who love their city. Its first seven years were in a store on James Street North and since 2020, proprietor Donna Reid has operated online. She offers Hamilton-centric gift packages presented in crates, boxes, baskets and bags (starting at $45); books including Art of Industry by legendary Hamilton photographer Tom Bochsler ($35); a collection of pewter ornaments featuring Hamilton landmarks by local artists ($35); Hamilton's 1859 waterworks manhole cover immortalized in a messenger bag/lapel pin ($14); Hamilton coasters designed by local artists (set of 4/$12); Hamilton Globe mug by artist Ellen Irving ($15).
True Hamiltonian, 532 Concession St., Hamilton
The founders of the Hamilton is Home line (more than a decade ago now!) have just opened a new storefront on Concession Street, where they are selling hoodies, T-shirts, hats, onesies, joggers and jackets and more. There is also an about-to-be-launched line of vintage CHCH gear after a sold-out run of apparel earlier this year. FINISH
Pretty Grit, 128 James St. N., Hamilton
prettygrit.ca
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Proud Hamiltonian Amanda Cordero opened urban houseware and gift shop Pretty Grit in 2015. Her Growing Up Hamilton line includes kids onesies ($22), that feature the iconic Gore Park Fountain and tote bags ($29) and adult T-shirts ($30) that are inspired by Hamilton's vintage downtown. Featured locations: Hamilton Eaton Centre, Copps Coliseum, The Pagoda, Gore Park, The corner of King + James, HSR, The Tivoli Theatre and the Sam the Record Man.
Studio 205, 205 King St. E., Hamilton
studio205.com
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Studio 205 has been showcasing locally sourced goods from more than 130 different makers since 2015. Brought to you by a deep love of pizza and Hamilton, this Pizzerias of Hamilton tee is a collaboration between Studio 205 & Send Doodz. This unique T-shirt ($36) features some of Hamilton’s incredible pizza joints: Cowabunga, Shortys, Power Pizza, Moodys, Bardō, Maipai, Born & Raised, Martello, Cima Enoteca, Rise Above, Chicago Style, and Flora. Hamilton is developing a strong reputation for its pizza game, and you run the risk of being hungry every time you wear this slim-fit T-shirt.
The Local Life, 218 Locke St. S., Hamilton
thelocallife.ca
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Let them show off their Hamilton pride while they stay warm this winter. These locally made HAMONT touques ($30) are designed in-house by the team at The Local Life. The unisex cuffed winter hat is made from an oh-so-soft wool blend and features a bold embossed HAMONT patch. Pairs perfectly with a Hamilton is Home hoodie or a Ticats jersey. Available in black, oatmeal and mustard.
Jelly Bros.
jellybrothers.com
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Matt and Dan, the Jelly Bros. have been spreading Hamilton pride through colourful neighbourhood maps since 2011. They also now have a growing roster of illustrations in their portfolio, along with stickers, pins, greeting cards and magnets. One of their newer prints is of a vintage King Street East featuring an HSR trolley bus against a backdrop of old signs that will surely evoke memories, including the Chicken Roost, Diamond Jims, Kresge, Book Villa and the Royal Connaught Hotel. Printed on premium matte photo paper using pigment-based inks, it’s available in 16" X 20" ($44.25) and 8" X 10" ($20). This print can be ordered online or is available at STORE on James Street North.
Steeltown Garage, 8 Barton St. E., Hamilton
SteeltownGarage
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Let's face it: the '90s are back. For fall/winter this year, Steeltown Garage Co., with a motto of quality goods for free spirits, wanted to craft a mid-weight crewneck ($80) that pays tribute to historic city sports teams while bringing back those easy-going '90s steeltown vibes. This cotton/poly ash grey sweater has a light fleece interior and is the perfect layering piece heading into cooler temps. It's unisex and available in sizes XS-3XL. You can grab one now at Steeltown's Hamilton HQ at James & Barton or online.
Girl on the Wing, 231 King St. E., Hamilton
girlonthewing.ca
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According to shop owner Whitney McMeekin, this special edition blanket ($160) was made “In honour of a city that feels like a cozy blanket, a place to make a home, and a community that lets you be whoever you want to be…” Designed in collaboration with @stayhomeclubofficial, there are only a few of these Hamilton blankets left. McMeekin, who opened her shop in 2013, also has a line of City Centre tote ($30) and keychains ($18) that pay homage to the now-closed downtown mall, as well as a keychain in collaboration with local artist Kyle Stewart that brings together two Hamilton fixtures: the Giant Tiger on Cannon and the Ticats ($18). GOTW even sells a line of vintage Hamilton crest pennants ($24).
Hamont Doodles
hamontdoodles.com
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Artist Sara Sandham documents Hamilton through colourful and whimsical doodles. She produces prints of notable buildings in Hamilton ($20), along with stickers ($4), keychains ($7), cards and postcards ($4), and holiday ornaments ($14). Her work is available on her website and at Studio 205. She’s been creating illustrations of Hamilton since 2018, starting as a hobby that quickly turned into a small business.
LEN (online only)
Hamilton Hates You Too is the edgy, in-your-face poke back at all those who like to talk bad about our city. The motto is on everything from T-shirts ($29.95) to mugs ($16.99) to touques ($36) to hoodies ($69.95). The folks behind LEN are originally from western Canada who moved their shop and home to Hamilton in 2017 from Toronto “vibrant culture, beautiful architecture, creativity and innovation, and yes, a more affordable place, with less traffic…A place with a sense of unlimited possibilities, grounded by no-bullshit people and a deep sense of community.” But when they told friends and family, many shared unkind words about our fair city. After “Hamilton hates you too” popped out of her mouth one day in response, and the sentiment resonated with customers, a new product line was born. Seven years later, you’d be hard-pressed to spend much time out in public in Hamilton without seeing someone sporting HHYT gear. Hamilton isn’t going to take it anymore.
You Might Be From Hamilton If…
mackaycartoons.net
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Dundas native Graeme MacKay has been the editorial cartoonist at The Hamilton Spectator since 1997 and has won numerous awards for his work. Among them, he has been twice cited by the United Nations for excellence in satire, and has been recognized by the Association of Canadian Cartoonists for best cartoon of the year. He has also been twice nominated for a National Newspaper Award in 2020 and 2021. In You Might Be From Hamilton If… , ($19.95) MacKay literally draws upon the city’s fascinating history, its quirky characters and its obsession with being the underdog to Toronto's "Centre of the Universe" mentality. With more than 120 cartoons in MacKay’s signature inked line style, he illustrates what so many people have come to love (and perhaps cringe a little) about the Hammer. MacKay’s merch store also includes a line of YMBFH T-shirts.
HAMILTON CITY Magazine
At the risk of boasting (not a good holiday trait), you can definitely gift some Hamilton love and pride with a subscription to our magazine. For $35 a year, your loved one will get five print issues of a magazine that celebrates all the things that make Hamilton a wonderful, fascinating, vibrant, sometimes confounding, occasionally infuriating, and always special place to live and work.
