Electronics & Hardware Shopping Resources

Creatron
creatroninc.com
255 College St
(416) 977-9258

Carries almost all of the major electronics components in very neat organized baggies on the wall or bins in the back. This is one of the few places you'll be able to pick up an Arduino or Arduino-related hardware in Toronto. Carries a small collection of the kits you might find at Sparkfun (listed as an online retailer below) or the Makezine store so Creatron is definetely worth checking out if you don't want to wait for shipping, plus the prices are comparable.

Supremetronic
supremetronic.com
306 290 College St (as of Fall 2012), Basement
(part of Home Hardware)
(416) 922-1158

Carries a wider range of electronics components than Active Surplus but not as much as Creatron. Specs are marked on most bins.

Active Surplus
activesurplus.com
347 Queen Street West,
2nd Floor
(416) 593-0909

Carries major electronics components plus cheap, quirky surplus items. Everything sold "as is" so it may be hard to find the exact item you're looking for since they don't offer datasheets or specs. 20-30% of inventory turns over often so wander its aisles every month or so.

EfstonScience
eScience.ca
3350 Dufferin Street

This is a very large science store across from the Yorkdale Mall. They do not sell a lot of stand alone electronics components -- mostly science and robotics kits. If you don't live in the area or have a car, check their website first and call ahead for inventory. Eftson is now closed. :(

Sayal
sayal.com
3791 Victoria Park Ave
Units 1-5
(416) 494-8999

Additional stores in Mississauga, Vaughan, Cambridge, and Burlington. Never been there but apparently has a lot bigger selection than Supremetronics.

Above All Electronics
no website
602 Bloor St W
(416) 588-8119

It's been a while but I remember this place being sort of between Active Surplus and Supremetronics in selection.

A-1 Electronic Parts
a1parts.com
196 North Queen Street
(416) 255-0343

I haven't been here but I'm told it's like Active Surplus.

Lee Valley
leevalley.com
590 King Street W
(416) 366-5959

Two other locations in Toronto and online shopping available. Lee Valley is kind of a throwback to the 70s and 80s since Lee Valley is really famous for their catalouge sales. But the things they stock are the best of the best.

Rotblott's Discount Warehouse
rotblotts.com
443 Adelaide Street W
(416) 703-0456

This is a go-to destination if you work in the film industry. They have a random assortment of hardware and office supplies, along with surplus items. But my favourite thing is something called "Gaffers tape" which is a slightly more expensive tape than duct tape, but it doesn't leave any sticky residue behind when removed.

Brafasco (CTF Supply)
brafasco.com
31 Parliament St
(416) 364-9191

If you've got a tricky screw head (tamper-resisant ones) they might have the right screwdriver for you.

LaserGlow
laserglow.com
5 Adrian Ave
(416) 729-7976

Need lasers for your next GRL Laser Tag project? Special infrared lasers? Email the folks there (or ask for Justin) and they can work with you to get you the right laser. They don't carry everything in stock so give them at least 2-3 weeks notice first so they can order it from their supplier.

Digikey
digikey.ca
U.S. based company that offers a Canadian retail portal; Prices are in CAD$ and customs/duty charges are already worked in so you won't be suprised with a $30 FedEx bill for a $10 purchase. Shipping is cheap and prompt (2-5 days). Unless you know the exact part you're looking for or have good specs, download a catalogue for browsing.

Newark
canada.newark.com
Alternative Canadian retail portal. Consider opening a FedEx, UPS, etc account so you have more shipping options (including guarenteed next day delivery) but I've never had to wait more than 2 days for my packages. Offers a nice visual "selector guide" section.

Sparkfun
sparkfun.com
Super user-friendly electronics shopping. Very visual and easy to understand. Carries lots of Arduino-related products, including the LilyPad. (U.S. based so be careful of customs.)

Adafruit Industries
adafruit.com
Adafruit has done tons for the maker community. Easy website to shop on with tutorials for both individual electronics components and their own custom kits like the MintyBoost. (U.S. based so be careful of customs.)

Maker SHED
makershed.com
A few years ago, the web store companion to the iconic Make magazine only really carried kits but today is a formidable place for getting Arduinos, Arduino accessories, and general electronics supplies. They even carry more one-off items such as Chumby Guts, Shapelock moldable plastic, and Pixel Qi screens.

Robot Shop
robotshop.ca
Not too sure where exactly they are based but there's a Canadian retail portal; Prices are in CAD$ and customs/duty charges are already worked in. Haven't bought anything robotics-related from them yet but I have purchased Flexinol wires from them -- and they may be the only place in CAD$ that you can find them.

HVW Technologies
hvwtech.com
Based out of Calgary, it's the only retailer I know of that sells the Basic Stamp Stack (which is what I learned microcontroller programming with), along with regular Basic Stamps, Arduino-based microcontrollers, and other electronics components.

Sundance Solar
SundanceSolar.com
Retailer of solar panels and many other solar related items. User friendly product descriptions keeps you from shopping in the dark. (U.S. based so be careful of customs.)

Inventables
inventables.com
All sorts of interesting and inspiring materials here. Get ready to browse this site for an hour!

Brickyard Ceramics & Crafts
brickyardceramics.com
Closest retailer of Amaco's "Friendly Plastic" (polymorph plastic) -- they are actually in the same building! If you have a GST account, call them directly and they can offer a 30% discount. (U.S. based so be careful of customs; and if you want next day or 3 day shipping, be prepared to pay $80, otherwise only $15 for regular 5-7 day standard shipping.)