Small Business Owners

Years of History

Years of The Festival of South Asia

1.2k+

Engaged neighbors

One of Toronto's Oldest BIA's

The Gerrard India Bazaar BIA was formed in 1982 to promote the area's businesses and coordinate events. We are the largest main street marketplace of South Asian goods and services in North America.

Placemaking

The BIA oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipally-owned land, buildings and structures within the business improvement area.

Event Coordination

The Gerrard India Bazaar BIA conducts various events all through the year to celebrate a variety of South Asian and Local festivals. All our events are open for everyone and FREE.

Marketing and Public Relations

The BIA promotes local shops as well as the neighbourhood as a whole, in hopes of attracting local shoppers, employment seekers, tourist, artists, urban professionals, and small business owners.

The BIA and TABIA advocates on behalf of the interests of members, subject to certain limits contained in Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas PDF

A thriving main street is the heart of a neighbourhood, supported by the effort of the people who live and work there.

Meet our Gerrard India Bazaar

Board Members

Chand Kapoor, Chair

Property Owner

Moti Mohal Restaurant

Meet our Gerrard India Bazaar

BIA Staff

Streetscape Initatives

The Gerrard India Bazaar BIA funds and manages a number of beautification projects, as well as a number of assets including: 22 Pedestrian lights, 12 Branded Banners on TTC Poles, 7 bike racks/posts, 28 Sidewalk Planters, 30 hanging flower baskets, 23 City Garbage Bins, and 20 Pole wraps

Murals + Public Art

GIBBIA has sponsored and supported local artists to create eye-catching murals at various locations in the Bazaar. Many Bazaar owners have created beautiful murals on their store front. The BIA acknowledges their efforts and encourages other business owners to do the same. These initiatives are great photo opportunities for visitors who upload these pictures on their social media page, which creates good visibility for the business and the Bazaar.

Floral Program

GIBBIA office maintains the 28 sidewalk planters and 30 hanging flower baskets across the bazaar. We undertake 3 floral projects - spring, summer and the winter and maintenance (watering) throughout the year. Sometimes, flowers get stolen from our planters. If you notice something theft, damage, graffiti or anything unusual with the planters, please contact the BIA office.

Graffiti Removal

As a membership benefit, GIBBIA pays for and manages removals of over 50 instances of graffiti each year from building façades, including yours. Graffiti removals takes place as and when needed depending on the number of tags. Whenever you come across graffiti, email the BIA office, so that these can be removed in the next graffiti removal project.

Pedestrian Lighting

An important part of the BIA mandate is to create an attractive and safe experience for residents, shoppers and visitors. With additional funding from the City, GIBBIA has installed over 44 pedestrian lights along bazaar. Our branded banners will be wrapped around these poles. Whenever you come across damage to the banners or see bulbs not working or some kind of maintenance is required, please report the to the BIA office.

Sidewalk Power-wash

To create a better experience for all those who walk the streets of the bazaar, the BIA undertakes regular street power washing. In 2019, we have 8 power washes planned from April – November

Resources + Services

The Gerrard India Bazaar BIA can assist you in exploring local services, resources and programs for your organization or small business such workshops, seminars, grants and marketing expertise.

Facade Improvement

A grant is available in February through the City of Toronto for members wishing to renovate or restore commercial building façades. Or maybe you’re interested in having a mural installed to counteract vandalism and promote Gerrard India Bazaar’s arts and culture? For application and details, contact the City’s BIA Office to determine eligibility. 
Michael Saunders | Phone: 416-392-1005 | E-mail: msaunder@toronto.ca

Outdoor Mural + Street Art Program

With strong business participation, our BIA can receive one-time funding for outdoor mural projects that help promote a local theme and facilitate commercial or industrial neighbourhood identity. The mural program helps local businesses and communities create an attractive and positive identity for their area. If you are interested in getting a mural done on your building, the BIA can apply for the grant on your behalf. To find out if you are eligible, contact:<br /> Michael Saunders | Telephone: 416-392-1005 |Email: Michael.Saunders@toronto.ca

Graffiti Removal

As a membership benefit, GIBBIA pays for and manages removals of over 50 instances of graffiti each year from building façades, including yours. Graffiti removals takes place as and when needed depending on the number of tags. Whenever you come across graffiti, email the BIA office, so that these can be removed in the next graffiti removal project.

Digital Main Street Program

Digital Main Street is an online platform and service for main street businesses that can help with the adoption of digital tools and/or technologies. Digital Main Street was created in partnership between the City of Toronto and TABIA and is supported by Founding Partners – Google, MasterCard, and Rogers – along with Product Partners – Microsoft and Shopify.

FAQs

What is a BIA?

A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is made up of commercial and industrial property owners and their non-residential tenants who join together under a volunteer Board of Management (BIA Board) to carry out improvements and promote economic development within their designated area.

There are currently 83 BIAs PDF in the City of Toronto. They work in partnership with the City to enhance and promote business areas as safe, vibrant places to do business, unique destinations for tourists and focal points for neighbourhood activity.

Administration and strategic management of a BIA is the responsibility of the BIA Board. Among their responsibilities, BIA Boards:

  • Oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipally-owned land, buildings and structures in the business improvement area
  • Promote the business improvement area as a business, employment, tourist or shopping area
  • Undertake safety, security and crime-prevention initiatives
  • Prepare strategic plans to address BIA issues
  • Advocate on behalf of the interests of the BIA, subject to certain limits contained in Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas PDF

The financing of BIA operating budgets is raised by a special property tax levy on the commercial and industrial properties within the BIA boundary. The City funds a portion of capital projects undertaken by BIAs for streetscaping under the BIA Capital Cost-Sharing Program, an incentive program offered to the City’s BIAs that leverages investments from BIAs to improve, beautify, enhance and brand Toronto’s unique neighbourhoods. Find out about BIA Financial Incentive Programs offered by the City.

How is a BIA governed?

BIA Boards are established by City Council as City Boards under the City of Toronto Act, 2006 Opens in new window in accordance with Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 19, Business Improvement Areas, which sets out procedures for the establishment and operation of BIA Boards and the composition of each BIA Board.

BIA Boards are composed of public directors and City Councillors. The public directors are elected by the BIA membership and recommended to the Community Council in which the BIA is located for appointment. If a BIA is located within the geographic area of more than one Community Council, Council shall appoint the directors. The Councillors for the wards in which a BIA is located are Board directors by-right-of-office. BIA Board Chairs are elected by the BIA Board directors.

Find out about opportunities to serve on a BIA Board of Management.

Am I part of the BIA?

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. If your business operates within these boundaries you are most likely a member of our BIA. If you want to confirm please speak to your landlord, or contact the BIA directly to inquire.

What streetscape projects does the BIA maanagae?

The Gerrard India Bazaar BIA funds and manages a number of beautification projects and assets in the bazaar including:

  • 22 Pedestrian lights
  • 12 Branded Banners on TTC Poles
  • 7 bike racks/posts
  • 28 Sidewalk Planters
  • 30 hanging flower baskets
  • 23 City Garbage Bins
  • 20 Pole wraps

Interested in beautifying Gerrard Street? Please contact the BIA Office to sign up for the Streetscape Committee!

When does the GIBBIA board meet?

All GIBBIA Board meetings are held at 6.30 pm at the GIBBIA office. All bazaar members (property owners and business owners) are invited to join the board meetings and listen in. If you have any items that you want to bring to the board, you can bring it as a “New Item” in the Board meeting towards the end or just email the BIA office and it will be added to the Agenda and brought it to the Board’s notice on your behalf.

What are the benefits of a BIA?

By creating a strong and distinct image for a neighbourhood shopping area and marketing it effectively, the main benefits of a BIA start with the fact that it can better compete in an age of shopping malls, big-box retailing and e-commerce.

BIAs can be catalysts for civic improvement and significant contributors to the City’s economy and the quality of life of our neighbourhoods. In order to help local commercial areas create thriving, competitive and safe business areas, the City of Toronto, through the Economic Development & Culture Division, offers a number of assistance programs to BIAs.

One of the more successful BIA programs is the Capital Cost-share Program, which provides matching funding to BIAs for streetscape beautification projects. These projects help create a more attractive and marketable image for the area and improve the atmosphere in neighbourhoods.

Financial assistance is also available to BIAs to implement mural projects; commercial façade improvements and streetscape master plans.

How do BIA's improve the local economy?

BIAs improve their local economies through activities such as:

  • Street and sidewalk maintenance and capital improvements
  • Promotion of the BIA as a business, employment, tourist or shopping area (business directories, festivals, advertising)
  • Hosting neighbourhood festivals and events
  • Safety, security and crime prevention initiatives
  • Graffiti and poster removal services respecting building facades visible from the street
  • Strategic plans for business recruitment, market studies and capital improvements
  • Advocate on behalf of their membership as a unified voice
What is TABIA?

The GIBBIA is part of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) a non-profit umbrella organization working with 83 BIAs within the City of Toronto who in turn represent more than 40,000 business & property owners. Founded in 1980, TABIA gives BIAs a voice.

  • All members in good standing may take advantage of the benefits.
  • From advocacy to collective bargaining for interests of its members.
  • TABIA works with all levels of government to actively advance the interests of BIAs, be it Parking Issues, Garbage, Safety, Taxes, or BIA legislation.
  • Offers members discounts, benefits & privileges of real value, continued education, promotions and networking Opportunities

For More information on TABIA – www.toronto-bia.com

https://www.toronto.ca/business-economy/business-operation-growth/business-improvement-areas/bia-financial-incentives/

What is the Digital Main Street program?

Digital Main Street is an online platform and service for main street businesses that can help with the adoption of digital tools and/or technologies. Digital Main Street was created in partnership between the City of Toronto and TABIA and is supported by Founding Partners – Google, MasterCard, and Rogers – along with Product Partners – Microsoft and Shopify.

By joining Digital Main Street platform and completing the onboarding process, you will receive a free Digital Assessment and recommended to-do list that identifies technologies and tools that can help your business meet your digital goals. Along with this, you will also receive exclusive discounts from various digital vendors as part of the DMS community.

There is absolutely no cost to you to join Digital Main Street and receive your Digital Assessment. If you choose to activate a tool or service from one of DMS’ partners or vendors, then there may be a cost associated with this activation. But often there is a special price or free trial period for businesses using Digital Main Street.

Contact: Darryl Julott | Senior Manager, Digital Main Street | darryl.julott@digitalmainstreet.ca

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