Canadian Bakin'

Williams-Sonoma Inc. (San Francisco), has crossed the border for the first time with an eight-store blitz into the Canadian market.

A Williams-Sonoma store and a Pottery Barn opened in Toronto Eaton Centre over the past weekend. Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids will open in the Toronto area's Yorkdale Shopping Centre next month. And the same three nameplates are scheduled to open with flagship stores on the city's Bloor Street West next year.

“Many Canadians already shop at our U.S. stores,” said chairman Howard Lester, “and our entry into Canada is a direct response to the demand for high-quality products for the home.”

Williams-Sonoma sells housewares, furniture and household items in more than 380 stores in 39 states and Washington, D.C., through its own nameplate, the Pottery Barn assortment and Design Studio (housewares and furniture), and Hold Everything (storage items).