From U-Haul to Boutique: The Scrappy Rise of Beyond Space

Toronto designer Xavier King has spent over a decade navigating an unconventional path to establish his fashion brand, Beyond Space. According to blogTO, King's entrepreneurial journey began around 2011 at Pickering High School, where he first sold T-shirts through lunchtime pop-ups hosted out of his school locker.

To grow the brand, King utilized mobile retail strategies, including a bike pop-up and a U-Haul truck converted into an interactive installation. King told blogTO that he used the truck to target popular Toronto areas such as Queen Street West, Yorkville, and Trinity Bellwoods, equipping the vehicle with music and lights to attract customers.

These efforts culminated last year in the opening of La Maison by Beyond Space, a permanent boutique and cafe in Toronto's east end. King, who opened the space with his wife, designed the venue to mirror the hybrid business-home environment he lived in after returning from school in 2016. The in-store cafe is intended to make the space accessible to those who are not "fashion-forward."

Despite the growth, the path has been precarious. King admitted to blogTO that inflation and the rising costs of operating in Toronto have led to financial struggles, including periods where the business fell behind on rent. One notable turning point occurred when actress Kathleen Munroe visited the shop and purchased approximately $3,000 in clothing while the business was three months behind on rent.

Currently, King manages the majority of the operations himself, serving as the designer, seamstress, sales associate, and barista. While expanding his presence in Toronto, King's long-term ambitions are international, stating that "all roads lead to Paris."