Life in The East End

Live Here

Gerrard India Bazaar is a highly desirable neighbourhood within the boundaries of Leslieville, Toronto, with a notably high public realm ranking. Described as a 'very bikable, walker's paradise with excellent transit options' by officials.

Work Here

Gerrard East is home to over 125 South Asian shops importing specialty groceries and vibrant fabrics. The BIA helps to empower and promote local businesses through shared resources, insights and marketing efforts.

Play Here

Our Mainstreet Market is in the Greenwood-Coxwell neighborhood in Toronto. Nearby parks include Coxwell Avenue Playground, Greenwood Park and Fairmount Park. We have a number of great experiences, festivals and tours during the summer months.

Shop Here

The BIA encourages everyone to exert influence with your purchasing choices. Shopping local has a number of significant community benefits including a reduced environmental impact, job creation, supporting diversity, local prosperity, and increased face time with neighbours.

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North America's Largest South Asian Mainstreet Marketplace

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.

Neighbourhood Overview

East Gerrard is a charming, laid-back neighbourhood with a friendly
small-town vibe, located 20 minutes east of downtown Toronto.

Surrounded by cultural attractions and home to a diverse population, the area is highly desirable place to live, work, and shop.

During the summer months, crowds flock to the area to explore, shop, and celebrate the festival of South Asia

The Gerrard India Bazaar Business Improvement Area (BIA) proudly represents over 125 business with over 500 employees.
from cute cafes, desi fashions, art galleries, salons, spas, cozy restaurants, boutique shopping, specialty stores, and more.

Our boundaries span Gerrard Street East between Glenside Ave to Coxwell Ave.

The BIA, a city agency, is managed by a volunteer board of directors consisting of local business and property owners, and staff, who work strategically to attract visitors, beautify the streetscape, and improve the business climate in the area.

GIBBIA Insiders

Subscribe to our exclusive BIA member's email newsletter where we spotlight champions of local economic growth, celebrate community resilience, encourage neighbours to connect, and share valuable information with our small business owners.

Canada’s main streets are iconic symbols of urban life and belonging — where we go to shop and do business, eat, play and participate in civic life.

These public realm rankings confirm that

GIBBIA is a Great Place to Operate Your Business

Our Mainstreet Market is in the Greenwood-Coxwell neighborhood in Toronto. Nearby parks include Coxwell Avenue Playground, Greenwood Park and Fairmount Park.

Gerrard Street East has a Walk Score of 90 out of 100. This location is a Walker’s Paradise so daily errands do not require a car.

Gerrard Street East has an excellent Transit score of 87, which means transit is convenient for most trips, with streetcar stops located within a 1-minute walk across the BIA.. Car sharing is available from Zipcar.

Gerrard East is considered to be 'very bikeable' with a score of 75. Flat as a pancake, with some bike lanes. Bike Share is readily available nearby.

Gerrard East is home to over 125 South Asian shops importing specialty groceries and vibrant fabrics.

Get to know

Your Audience

Below we have identified a few marketable groups within our immediate area based on psychographics – Personality, values, opinions, attitudes, interests, and lifestyles.

There are at least 93,000 individuals interested in luxury products and boutiques living within a 2-mile radius of Gerrard India Bazaar.

Urban Professionals

Leslieville has a well-established reputation as a hip village for Toronto’s creatives and professionals.

South Asian Visitors

Because the BIA is such a well known cultural hub, a significant number of South Asians frequently visit the area to shop at the Bazaar – Not only from within the GTA – But across the globe.

#LocalLove Advocates

A number of Leslieville residents are advocates for shopping local to support small businesses, thanks to the #locallove movement.

Please note that sources for statistics, data and analytics have been collected from a number of open sources including Facebook analytics, walk score, and more.

By Design Our BIA Is

Fostering Local Economic Development and Revitalization

Historically all BIA’s 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 benefit to all. Fostering community engagement can strengthen and build community interest, spirit, pride and networks well beyond the boundaries of a BIA.

We're Here to Help

Content + Events Calendar

Check back for details on how to get involved with upcoming events and ongoing promotions.

We're Here to Help

Tools + Resources

Our BIA is committed to helping our community thrive and flourish. Not only do we activly promote our local businesses, we are also working to help connect business owners with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

We Don't Mean to Brag But...

Our Local Business Owners Are Doing Some Pretty Amazing Things

Storytelling has always played a part in successful marketing. Stories enable us to build personality and create a connection with consumers.
Are you offering a fun and exciting product or service? Running a contest or digital event? Giving back to the community through donations or volunteer work? Pursuing some kind of unique operations pivot? Working on a cool collaboration? Let us know so we can share your story widely.

Get the Tools + Resources You Need for Success

The BIA is committed to advocating for and empowering our members. Look for grants, free programs, guidance, tools + resources in our 'Small Business Support Blog'

Not finding what you're looking for? Submit your questions to our AMA (Ask Me Anything) for content consideration.

Get One-On-One Assistance with Digital Marketing

Digital Main Street assists main street businesses with their adoption of technology with easy to use tools and resources. DMS Squad member Josh has been working with local businesses in the area, through the BIA, for the past few months.

Build Your Personal Brand

We would love to give local business owners the opportunity to promote their products and services by providing a platform to establish themselves as an industry expert. Please let us know if you are interested in the Guest Post Program.

There’s always something happening.

Stay in the Loop

Meet our members and keep up to date with all the happenings in the East End.

What Our Community is Saying

The Bazaar is a fantastic destination to spend the day exploring with friends, family, or even solo!

Please drop us an email to mention any glowing reviews that your business receives from the community. We love to share these far and wide!

Paula Fletcher

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.

Councillor – Ward 14 Toronto Danforth
Sandeep Kaur Saluja

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.

East End Toronto Resident
Maggie Joh

When the weather starts to heat up I always long for the bazaar. I've been coming since I was a young teen.

London, Ontario Resident
Mary Dawna

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 town 🥰

East End Toronto Resident

Contact Us

Gerrard India Bazaar BIA Office

1426 Gerrard Street East,

Toronto, Canada

M4L 1Z6

 

416-465-8513

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