There are moments in a journey where you pause, take a breath, and feel truly grateful—and this is one of them.
The winners of the Toronto Star Readers’ Choice Awards were just announced, and I’m incredibly proud to share that Urban Nature Store has been named Top Gift Store and Top Online Store, along with earning a Gold Medal as the Best Toy and Hobby Store.
To everyone who took the time to vote—thank you. Truly. Your support means more than you might realize. And to all of our customers who continue to shop with us, share their stories, and support wild birds alongside us—you are the heart of everything we do.
I also want to take a moment to recognize the amazing Urban Nature Store team. These awards reflect you. Whether you’re helping customers find the perfect feeder in-store, restocking shelves in the warehouse, or carefully packing and shipping online orders, your dedication shows in every detail. It’s your care, pride, and commitment that make Urban Nature Store what it is today.
On a more personal note, this recognition has me reflecting on how it all began. My passion for wild birding started when my mom introduced me to it as a young boy. What began as a simple shared interest grew into something much deeper over time. I never could have imagined back then that it would one day become my career.
I feel incredibly fortunate—blessed, really—to be surrounded by such passionate team members and such a loyal, engaged community of customers who share a love for nature and wild birds. That shared passion is what connects all of us.
Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to grow and evolve. We’ve expanded our product offerings to include more educational toys and nature-inspired gifts, alongside our core birding products. Seeing Urban Nature Store become a go-to destination not just for bird feeding, but also for meaningful, nature-connected gifts, has been incredibly rewarding.
These awards aren’t just recognition—they’re encouragement. They remind us that what we’re building together matters.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of this journey, for supporting Urban Nature Store, and for helping us continue to celebrate and care for the natural world around us.
By Paul Oliver
Founder - Urban Nature Store
