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.
Woman Owned
Looking for local woman-owned businesses in the East End? Here are some that 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.
Post an Instagram Reel or Tiktok featuring your Favourite Gerrard East Patio or Local Shop for a Chance to Win $500
Post your original Instagram reel or Tiktok video
tag @gerarrdindiabaz
use #gerrardindiabazaar #eastendlove #bazaarsummerspotlight
*Please note $500 will be awarded in gift certificates, not cash.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Subscribe to our quarterly community email newsletter where we spotlight champions of local economic growth, celebrate community resilience, encourage neighbours to connect, and share valuable offers from our local shops.
Free to Sign Up โ Spam Free โ Unsubscribe Anytime
We May Be Small โ But We Have It All
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)
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.
#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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Mattachioni has opened their new east-end digs
Article published on TasteToronto Beloved west-end shopย Mattachioniย opened their doors to a new space on the other side of the cityโโbeing referred
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Letโs preserve Heritage Communities, not just buildings | Gulshan Alibhai | TEDxToronto
Gulshan Alibhai, owner of Lahore Tikka Houseโthe iconic restaurant in Toronto's Little Indiaโon why we need to preserve Heritage Communities,
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Gulshan Alibhai was ready to sell Lahore Tikka House, her beloved family restaurant. Then her son persuaded her to carry on
This story was originally published by ย Shinan Govani Contributing Columnist at the Toronto Star A tragedy, a life-changing discovery inside the
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Toronto’s small businesses to stage protest over lockdown measures today
Article posted on dailyhive.com Clarrie Feinstein | Decย 11ย 2020,ย 8:50 am Shawn Goldberg/Shutterstock Torontoโs small businesses are staging a protest over the lockdown measures at 12 pm
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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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Vote: Best Patio in 2021
Summer has finally arrived. Here are 14 local patio options to help you keep your cool all season long in
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Post an Instagram Reel or Tiktok featuring your Favourite Gerrard East Patio or Local Shop for a Chance to Win $500
Get creative with music, voiceovers, and montages โก๏ธ Show us your favourite products, places, and people in the Bazaar! Full rules
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Priority Access For Students 12+ and Immediate Family Members of Students
Gerrard India Bazaar BIAย has organized a Pop-Up Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic on June 10 (starting at 2 pm) at the Roden
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Call for Submission: South Asian Canadian artists
Call for Submission: Submission Deadline EXTENDED: Monday, April 12 2021 Monday, April 19th 2021 In partnership with the City of Torontoโs Winter
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2021ย Facade Improvement Program is now open – Apply NOW!
2021ย Facade Improvement Program is now open - Apply NOW! Theย Facadeย Improvement Program provides up toย $15,000 for 50% of the total cost of
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Locally sourced gift ideas to impress your Valentine, or treat yourself to this February
What is a good Valentine's Day gift? Start by shopping locally! Not only will you be more likely to find something
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Locally sourced gift ideas to impress your Valentine, or treat yourself to this February
What is a good Valentine's Day gift? Start by shopping locally! Not only will you be more likely to find something
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Not Amazon
This website called 'Not Amazon' is now offering free local business listings for those offering curbside pick up or delivery
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East Toronto Main Street #Virtual Market
FREE REGISTRATIONย Virtual shopping experience to explore the local businesses of East Toronto. About this Event Join us for a FREE virtual shopping
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Let’s Get Back TO โ June 15th 2021
View this email in your browser June 8,ย 2021 BusinessTO News is a weekly newsletter focused on resources to help Toronto businesses mitigate
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Ontario’s Action Plan Doubles Ontario Small Business Support Grant
News Release Ontario's Action Plan Doubles Ontario Small Business Support Grant March 25, 2021 2021 Budget invests $1.7 billion in second round of
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Ontario Implements Provincewide Emergency Brake
News Release Ontario Implements Provincewide Emergency Brake April 1, 2021 All 34 Public Health Unit Regions to Move into Shutdown TORONTO โThe Ontario government,
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
