Summer road trips are as much about the pit stops as the destination, and now you can wear a little of that nostalgia too. Roots just launched a limited-edition collection inspired by some of Canada’s most iconic local food stops, from Ontario burgers and apple pie to Montreal bagels and poutine.
The new Pit Stops Summer ’26 collection was created in collaboration with Toronto-born artist and illustrator Moya Garrison-Msingwana, aka GANGBOX, and features six popular spots from coast to coast: P.E.I.’s COWS, Montreal’s La Banquise and St-Viateur Bagel, Vancouver’s Duffin’s Donuts, as well as two Ontario faves, The Big Apple and Webers Hamburgers.
Each mini collection takes inspo from the food stop’s storefront, branding and famous eats, reimagined in GANGBOX’s colourful, painterly style. So, imagine a St-Viateur tee covered in bagels and its recognizable storefront, a Duffin’s design piled high with donuts and fried chicken, or a Webers crewneck featuring the roadside burger joint alongside a classic burger, fries and shake!
“Roots has always been part of the moments that define a Canadian summer: the road trips, the detours, and the familiar stops that become just as memorable as the destination,” Leslie Golts, chief marketing officer at Roots, said in a statement. “These places are where memories are made with friends and family. They’re part of our shared Canadian experience. Celebrating iconic Canadian food favourites and the communities behind them felt natural for Roots because they’re part of our story, too.”
There are four pieces for each food stop, including graphic tees, crewnecks, baseball caps and totes. The made-in-Canada crewnecks are $168, while T-shirts are $68 and caps and totes are $44 each. The tees and crews are made with 100 per cent organic cotton and have a relaxed, gender-free fit.
And Toronto is getting much more than just the merch. From July 29 to 31, Roots is taking over Wellington Square at The Well for a three-day Route 73 pop-up celebrating the six destinations, so you can shop the collection and check out food-stop-inspired activations in person!
The collection is available now at Roots, but it’s only around for the summer and while supplies last.
And if this has you itching to hit the road, check out these other wild roadside attractions in Ontario for your next summer adventure.
