X-Static aka “Toronto’s rave HQ” was located at 162 John Street. It opened in the latter part of 1992 as the brain child of Alan Stephenson and Ben Ferguson. The original location (shown in the video below) overlooked Queen Street, but they quickly relocated the front of the building when a more prime retail space opened up became available closer to the entrance. The pair split in 1994 as Ben set out to distance himself from Stephenson, who then became the sole proprietor for a short period of time.

For most of Toronto’s Golden Age the store truly was the scene’s headquarters. With the best offering of mixtapes, rave gear and tickets – the store also had the city’s master sheet of upcoming raves dates.

Sorry, X-Static is currently closed.