Experience What North America's Largest South Asian Mainstreet Marketplace has to Offer
This slice of the Indian subcontinent offers a wide selection of products and services exhibited in an exotic display of sights, sounds, tastes and aromas.
Gerrard East Food Tours
On this iconic Toronto food tour, you will be treated to twenty (20) tastings as you visit six (6) fine-food shops, restaurants and bakeries over a delicious afternoon.
Art + Culture Walks
We have a strong tie to the arts community in the East End with organizations like The Blue Crow Gallery, Clay Space Studio, Gerrard Art Space, and East End Arts. Not to mention our amazing local murals.โ More info coming soon!
Watch Our CBC Documentary
Learn more about the origins of our beloved BIA starting with the Historic Naaz Theater. ยฉ 2016 Village of Dreams Productions Inc
Lunch + Learn
We are working on coordinating a number of local learning opportunities for small groups. More info coming soon!
South Asian Owned
Our BIA is a cultural hub, and home to a significant number of South Asian Owned businesses โ Attracting visitors from not only within the GTA โ But across the globe.
Women Owned
Looking for local women-owned businesses in the East End? Here are some that definitely deserve your love (and support!)
Taste of #LittleIndiaTO
If an assortment of delicious curries, dosa, desi burger, indian sweets or freshly baked naan are your cup of chai, you've come to the right place!
Shop From Home
A number of our local business owners have taken their shops online, making it easier to find and purchase whatever you need, from the comfort of your own home.
You donโt need to be South Asian to enjoy the attractions of this lively enclave, located along Gerrard Street between Coxwell and Greenwood, a BIA since 1982. Here you'll find an abundance of exotic delights. Colourful saris, exquisite fabrics, mouth-watering regional delicacies and delightful dining, dazzling jewellery, traditional musical instruments, audio and video entertainment and so much more; all await you at the Gerrard India Bazaar.
Artwork by Rosena Fung via The โMain Street Art Challengeโ One of 42 new artworks across the City of Toronto, brought to life in collaboration with BIA's, The STEPS Initiative and 25 local creatives; many of whom identify as emerging or BIPOC artists.
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We Have Everything You Need
Discover over 125 shops and restaurants which represent the many regional diversities of South Asian culture, food, music and products.
The Gerrard India Bazaar Business Improvement Area (BIA) proudly represents over 100 business with over 500 employees. Our boundaries span Gerrard Street East from Glenside Ave to Coxwell Ave
Please Continue to Shop Local and Support Small Business
Canadaโs main streets are iconic symbols of urban life and belonging โ where we go to shop and do business, eat, play and participate in civic life. The harsh reality is that COVID-19 is having an unprecedented impact on our main streets. Many small businesses, for example, have already been lost, and more will continue to close permanently in the coming days, weeks, and months. We need bold action right now.
Shop Local
Please continue to shop local and support small business. Find everything you need in our BIA directory!
Advocate
Ask your local MPPs to push for financial relief for the small businesses โ Let's keep our mainstreets vibrant and thriving!
Use Your Influence
Like and share content posted by local businesses with your friends, family, and neighbors. Follow to support and stay informed.
Show Some #LocalLove
Consider leaving a positive online review of a local shop, or posting a recommendation on social media. (Be sure to tag @gerrardindiabaz)
#LOCALLOVE in the Time of COVID19
Restaurants have closed their dining rooms, but have kept the kitchens open. Along with increased health and safety best practices, these business owners have embraced the use of online platforms to keep quick and easy meal options widely accessible throughout the neighbourhood. A number of other shops have stepped up to the challenge by coordinating local pick up and delivery for essential goods or virtual services. Itโs a somewhat frightening and uncertain time for us all, but we continue to move forward together, offering kindness and support to neighbours as we practice physical distancing.
Village of Dreams
From a village in Punjab to the first dedicated Bollywood theatre in North America. The Naaz Theatre, was not an immediate success. But owner Gian Naz refused to give up.
The whole family pitched in. Nazโs wife Shobha worked the ticket counter and prepared snack food to sell. Their childrenโTina, Sunila, Ken, and Sonnyโdistributed flyers at gurdwaras and Hindu temples to advertise upcoming films. Business picked up within months.
South Asian entrepreneurs soon identified the large theatre-going crowds as an emerging market and businesses proliferated in the immediate vicinity of the theatre in the 1970s and 1980s. The majority of businesses were (and remain) mom-and-pop enterprises.
By 1982, the South Asian character of the business strip was formalized with the creation of the Gerrard India Bazaar Business Improvement Area. Over the years, the BIA would fund additional parking spaces, and improvements to the sidewalks and streetlights, and host annual street festivals that continue today.
Watch Village of Dreams to Learn more about how Little India Toronto began
Fostering Local Economic Development and Revitalization
Historically all BIAโs have helped to promote the area as a desirable place to live, work, and shop. This is often achieved through developing a strong brand, content and marketing practices, coordinating special events and sponsorships, keeping open communication with local community groups, and even recruiting businesses to occupy vacant properties.
Fostering local economic development and revitalization in an area can stimulate new impetus for tourism and investment in the wider community. Increased business activity can improve both the municipal and sales tax base and support public services of bene๏ฌt to all. Fostering community engagement can strengthen and build community interest, spirit, pride and networks well beyond the boundaries of a BIA.
Support for Our Members
The BIA team works hard to bring together tools and resources to empower small business owners and maintain our vibrant mainstreet marketplace.
Open A Business on Gerrard East
Are you looking for a new location to open your business? Curious about the many benefits the Bazaar has to offer? We are collaborating with local realtors, spacelist.ca, and local landlords to keep an up to date listing of available storefronts and bring you valuable marketing insights.
Stay in the Loop
Follow our blog to learn more about placemaking efforts, great deals, community projects, neighborhood spotlights, and other notable stories.
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Catch Up on All of The Performances, Workshops, and Stories from the Bazaar
Sending out warm wishes and a huge thank you to all who were able to join us virtually in celebration
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Vote Local โ Now Reader’s Choice Awards 2020!
DYK that a number of our BIA businesses have been nominated to win! Donโt forget to vote for your local
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Gerrard India Bazaar Announces Virtual TD Festival of South Asia: Celebrating 18 Years of Cultural Diversity in East End Toronto.
The Gerrard India Bazaar BIA will be trailblazing into the future, launching their first-ever VIRTUAL TD Festival of South Asia,
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Neighbourhood Stroll: Greenwood-Coxwell
This stroll featured by www.seetorontonow.com includes charming parks and gardens as well as over 125 restaurants and shops within the
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Local Brewery ‘God Speed’ Named Best Toronto Brewery by Experts โ NOW
Original article publish on now.com The Toronto beer scene has been enjoying explosive growth in recent years โ but with all
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Toronto Butcher and Greengrocer Team Up to Thrive During COVID-19
Stock In Trade and Doodles moved in together on Gerrard Street East Kamar Shah and Jason Becker are teaming up on
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City to Look at Toronto’s Recovery from Pandemic ย โ Paula Fletcher
View this email in your browser Latestย Update City to Look at Toronto's Recovery from Pandemic ย Dear Friends, I hope you've been keeping well
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2 of 42 New Public Artworks Underway Across the City of Toronto Will Be Activated in The Bazaar
20 'Business Improvement Areas' including the 'Gerrard India Bazaar BIA' are currently participating inย The Steps Initiative 'The Main Street
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Call For Creative: ArtworxTO + Nuit Blanche
Gerrard India Bazaar BIA is hoping to partner with a local creative group capable of design + production of an
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Art Lives in Gerrard India Bazaar
Art influences, instilling values, and translating experiences across space and time, allowing people from different cultures and even different lifetimes
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Call For Creative: ISO local BIPOC artists
The Gerrard India Bazaar BIA is seeking a local BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) artist to design some
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Skip the Big Box Stores. Shop Local. Invest in Your Community and Local Economy! Invest in Arts and Culture!
Artwork by local Toronto artist Rosena Fungย It's more important than ever to support the movement towards '15 minute cities' and
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ATN’s Tribute to 100 Years of Indian Cinema
The series by ATN features over 300 episodes from the world's largest film industry with an international perspective including exclusive
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5 Suitable Summer Outdoor Activities for 2020 and Beyond
ย Summerโs in full swing, but thereโs no denying it looks a little different this year. But even if your holiday
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Outdoor Classes Now Open to All at Vive Fitness (Gerrard St) โ No Membership Required.
We all know how important regular physical activity is at the best of times. In theย era of the novel coronavirus,
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Get Your Flu Vaccine Safely This Season โ Paula Fletcher
View this email in your browser Latestย Update Get Your Flu Vaccine Safely This Season Dear Friends, I hope you're doing well. It looks like
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Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely and Additional Public Health Measures – Paula Fletcher
View this email in your browser Latestย Update Celebrate Thanksgiving Safely and Additional Public Health Measures Dear Friends,I hope you've been keeping well. I know
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City Presentsย COVID-19 Resurgence Plan โ Paula Fletcher
View this email in your browser Latestย Update City Presentsย COVID-19 Resurgence Plan Dear Friends, We're now in September and in theย seventh month of the COVID-19
Let's Get Social
Meet our members and keep up to date with all the happenings in the East End.
Community Events
Thereโs always something happening...
What Our Visitors Are Saying
The Bazaar is a fantastic local destination to spend the day exploring with friends, family, or even solo!
The Gerrard India Bazaar is an exciting neighbourhood with so much going on. The annual Festival of South Asia is a great summer celebration for all, and I encourage everyone to make it out.
Amazing place for great Indian food, shopping and feel the vibrance of India right here in Toronto. We get all Indian clothing and accessories at Gerrard street at great prices. So, no need to travel all the way to India for shopping.
When the weather starts to heat up I always long for the bazaar. I've been coming since I was a young teen.
This is my favorite spot to stock up on fresh spices whenever I am in Toronto. Please support local... Business owners here will never let you down, best curry in townย ๐ฅฐ
We Love to Connect with Our Neighbours
Interested in learning more about our mainstreet marketplace or becoming part of our community? member of the press looking to connect with local business owners? Just want to say hello? We would love to hear from you!
How to Reach Us
By Car, Taxi or Uber
Some street parking available on Gerrard East and surrounding areas. Municipal Parking available Between Craven Road and Rhodes Ave.
On TTC Transit
We are less than a 30-minute ride from Downtown Toronto via the 506, 22A, and 32B. Skip the traffic and hassle of parking.
Via Bicycle or Bike Share
Thanks to Toronto's growing cycling infrastructure you will find nearby bike lanes on Danforth Ave, Dundas Street, and Greenwood Ave, which can lead you directly to the Bazaar. Although Gerrard East doesn't have designated bike lanes, many locals still active cycle here.
Explore On Foot
Gerrard Street East has a Walk Score of 90 out of 100. This location is a Walkerโs Paradise so daily errands do not require a car.
Contact Us
Gerrard India Bazaar BIA Office
1426 Gerrard Street East,
Toronto, Canada
M4L 1Z6
416-465-8513
Neighbours
