Why do you sell outdoor furniture?

Because it makes sense! Once ski season is over, The Sign of the Skier transitions into an elegant outdoor furniture showroom from April till September. The outdoor furniture offering has been part of our business model since 1970 and THE SIGN offers the highest quality and latest designs from many of the industry’s most respected suppliers, including Gloster, Kingsley-Bate, Brown Jordan and Mamagreen.

We have spent more than 40 years developing our outdoor furniture portfolio, and the industry has taken notice. Over the years, we have been featured in industry literature; we have traveled across the world as guests of prominent manufacturers; and were honoured to win the prestigious Apollo Award for Best Retailer in the International category from the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA).

We are passionate about furniture, and you will be hard-pressed to find another retailer in southern Ontario with the kind of experience that we have to offer.

Do you carry anything else for summertime fun?

Yes! We stock barbecues from two of the industry’s biggest names, Weber and Big Green Egg. We also carry a wide variety of gorgeous outdoor fire features, as well as patio heaters, hammocks, and beautiful outdoor rugs.

Where can I park?

Parking is available behind the store, off Glengrove Avenue West. Additional free parking is available on the north side of Glengrove Avenue West, on both sides of Glengrove Avenue East and directly north of the store, along Glenview Avenue. More can be found just south of the store on Yonge Street and at the foot of Glencairn Avenue.

Do you deliver?

Yes! We’re happy to deliver your new furniture and set it up for you. We’ll also take away all the boxes and packing material and dispose of them in a responsible manner.

We need replacement cushions. Can you help with that?

Absolutely. Whether you are looking for a fully customized cushion in any shape you can dream up, or you’re looking for a new set of cushions from a manufacturer of furniture you purchased years ago, we will look after you. We have a wide selection of outdoor fabric options you can choose from, and we are happy to work together with you to select new colours and patterns that integrate with and complement your outdoor environment.

When you come to the store, it is helpful to us if you can bring one seat and back cushion from your current furniture; and if you aren’t sure what all to bring, feel free to give us a call and we can walk you through it!

Why doesn't THE SIGN offer on-line shopping?

So much of what we sell at THE SIGN needs to be experienced in person. Furniture is such a personal thing – two people can sit in the same chair, and have an entirely different sense of the pitch, depth and overall comfort. And with the endless options in colours, textures, sizes and layouts, we believe that the best furniture shopping experience happens in a furniture showroom. 

We want to make sure you get exactly what you need, and our experienced staff will go the extra distance to listen, find the very best fit for both your style and your space, and make sure you leave with the right furniture. If you happen to bring along the dimensions of your outdoor living space, we are happy to map out different configurations that suit your area. We're also happy to submit special orders to suppliers on behalf of customers who have specific requests.

Experience our strengths. Let us show you why people love to shop at THE SIGN. 

Some mass merchants offer similar looking garden furniture at much lower prices. What is the difference?

There are many differences, but top of the list is the quality of the raw materials. For furniture to last year after year outdoors in extreme temperatures, you have to start with the best, most technologically advanced materials and manufacturing techniques. This is why most box store furniture ends up in a landfill after a couple of seasons – failure rates from rust, cracking, peeling, fading and sagging are ridiculously high, because the products were made out of materials that cannot withstand high UV, precipitation or freezing temperatures. It’s a little bit like putting indoor paint on the exterior of a house. It may brighten things up for a season, but won’t last when the snow comes.

We also deal with manufacturers and suppliers who operate with integrity in everything from the treatment of their staff through to their treatment of the environment. One example of this is Gloster, a company that produces high quality teak furniture that is planted, cultivated, harvested (after 45 years!) and manufactured all on location in Indonesia. We had the privilege of being their guests in 2014, and witnessed the great care they take of both their staff and their land. Not a single ounce of wood is wasted. And when your raw material has such a long growing cycle, it makes sense that over time a company can begin to be multi-generational, which is exactly the case here. We observed many families directly employed by Gloster, and the respect with which they are treated is a shining example to manufacturers everywhere.

We could give many other examples of manufacturers employing local professionals using best practices and best materials; but the mass merchants cannot. Manufacturing practices in the lower end of the marketplace often leave a lot to be desired, both in their abysmal treatment of their fellow humans and their blatant disregard for the planet. We aren’t going to dwell on the negative stuff, but at the same time, we’re not going to support it.

Lastly, although we are priced a cut above the mass merchants, you’ll notice that we still carry a wide range of price points, and at every price point along that spectrum our products offer a strong value proposition in design, materials, fit and finish, and warranty. Whether at our entry price points or at our most extravagant, all our furniture is built to last, and is backed by top-notch suppliers who not only warrant their products for extended periods of time, but also offer back-up support with parts and touch-up paint for many years after the original purchase.