1. Issues

Small businesses are at the heart of our neighbourhoods. 

Vibrant retail main streets – like the Danforth and Queen Street – are at the heart of our safe, walkable and prosperous neighbourhoods. These local restaurants and shops are woven into our lives like old friends. Yet many of our local businesses are still feeling the crushing impacts of the pandemic.

Our local small businesses need support – remember to shop local!

Scroll down for the latest updates on my work fighting for small businesses.   

Resources for Business Owners 

Here are some key City of Toronto resources and supports for Toronto's business owners and operators: 

More information for businesses can be found online on the city's website.

Ward 14 Business Improvement Areas

A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of commercial property owners and tenants within a defined area who work in partnership with the city to create thriving, competitive, and safe business areas that attract shoppers, diners, tourists, and new businesses. By working collectively as a BIA, local businesses have the organizational and funding capacity to be catalysts for civic improvement, enhancing the quality of life in their local neighbourhood and the city as a whole.

There are seven BIAs in Ward 14 Toronto-Danforth.

Learn more about BIAs on the city's webpage or by visiting the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas' website.

Broadview Danforth BIA

Executive Director: Susan Puff
Website: thedanforth.ca
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 416-423-4373

The Broadview Danforth BIA is comprised of more than 350 shops, restaurants and services along Danforth Ave from Broadview Ave to Hampton Ave, along Broadview Ave north to Pretoria Ave, and south to Dearborne Ave. The Broadview Danforth BIA works to promote and provide an exciting destination neighbourhood for delicious food, entertaining theatre, lively pubs and cafés, and distinctive shops and services.

Follow the Broadview Danforth BIA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Danforth Mosaic BIA

BIA Manager: Duncan Ladner 
BIA Office: 1-1432 Danforth Ave
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 416-875-3760

The Danforth Mosaic BIA (“The Danny”) stretches along Danforth Ave between Jones Ave and Westlake Ave. Celebrating a rich and diverse community, The Danforth Mosaic BIA boasts vast selection of family-owned restaurants, shops, and services from various parts of the world. With more than 500 shops and services, residents and visitors have a wide array of choices to make their visit to The Danforth Mosaic BIA memorable.

Follow the Danforth Mosaic BIA on Instagram and Facebook.

Gerrard India Bazaar BIA

Logo - Gerrard India Bazaar Business Improvement Area

BIA Office: 1426 Gerrard St. East
Executive Director: Tasneem Bandukwala
Website: gerrardindiabazaar.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 416-465-8513

Located on Gerrard Street between Coxwell and Greenwood, the Gerrard India Bazaar BIA is the largest marketing place of South Asian goods and services in North America. With over 100 shops and restaurants which represent regional diversities of South Asian culture, food, music and products, this slice of the Indian subcontinent offers a wide selection of services and products exhibited in an exotic display of sights, sounds, tastes and aromas.

Follow the Gerrard India Bazaar BIA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

GreekTown on the Danforth BIA

BIA Office: 452A Danforth Ave
Executive Director: Mary Fragedakis
Website: greektowntoronto.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 416-469-5634

One of Toronto’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, Greektown is also one of the City’s best known Business Improvement Associations with over 400 members. Located along Danforth Ave between Hampton Ave and Dewhurst Blvd, the Greektown BIA’s clean and safe community offers something for everyone. Immerse yourself in the tantalizing culture of the Greektown BIA by visiting one of the many restaurants, lounges, cafes, or bakeries that feature traditional Greek cuisine, along with other fantastic multi-ethnic establishments in the area.

Follow the GreekTown on the Danforth BIA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Leslieville BIA

Office & Project Manager: Cathy Quinton
Website: visitleslieville.ca
Email: [email protected]

Located on Queen St E between Empire and Vancouver Avenues, the Leslieville BIA is a part of one of the city’s most socially connected and engaged neighbourhoods. With Leslieville having played a key role in the city’s rich history in the East End, the Leslieville BIA now offers a vibrant community for Toronto’s art and culture scene. With a wide selection of restaurants, shops, and services, the Leslieville BIA creates a fun, family-friendly, and trendy space for residents and visitors alike.

Follow the Leslieville BIA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Pape Village BIA

Website: www.papevillage.ca
Email: [email protected]

Established in 1986, the Pape Village BIA represents over 80 businesses along Pape from Mortimer to Gamble. Strolling along Pape Avenue you can find all your day to day needs including shopping, dining, grocery, health care, fashion, bakeries and financial institutions.

Follow Pape Village BIA on Facebook and Instagram.

Riverside BIA

Logo - Riverside BIA

Executive Director: Jennifer Lay
Website: riverside-to.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 416-466-8167

Dubbed the SOHO of Toronto by the New York Post, Riverside has made a commitment to art and design, which is evident by the several murals decorating the neighbourhood, to the public art installations and annual signature event, the Riverdale Art Walk. Located along Queen St E, from the Don Valley Parkway to the east and Empire Ave to the west, the Riverside BIA is just minutes from the downtown core and easily accessible by streetcar. Encompassing a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and services, the Riverside BIA offers a trendy atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

Follow Riverside BIA on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

794 Gerrard Street East

Dear Friends,

The City Planning Division is holding a Community Consultation meeting on a zoning amendment application for 794 Gerrard Street East/The Beer Store site. The meeting will provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the proposed development, ask questions and share your comments.

Date: Thursday May 18th, 2017 Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Fletcher weighs in on Commonwealth Bid

In an interview with CP24 Sunday afternoon, Coun. Paula Fletcher agreed that council would need lots of information from staff before moving forward, but she said the idea is worth examining.

“I think we should look at it,” Fletcher said. “It would be just reasonable since we had the Pan Am Games and we have all of that infrastructure. Let’s see what it would cost and if we could actually pull it off.”

Will East Harbour be the city's hot new business hub?

Development calls for 10M square feet of office space, and 2M square feet of retail

Andrea Janus, CBC News Feb 25, 2017 5:00 AM

The city calls it the former Unilever site. But the developer that's taken over the 60 acres of land down near Lake Shore Boulevard and the Don Valley Parkway has a new name for the space it hopes to turn into a second city business hub: East Harbour.

Film, television and digital production in Toronto hits record-breaking $2 billion in 2016

February 27, 2017

Domestic and foreign film, television, digital and commercials production investments in Toronto had a third record-setting year in 2016 and achieved the $2.01-billion level for the first time.

"The epic growth of our creative screen sector illustrates that Toronto is a compelling and competitive global production hub with a long-term, sustainable success story," said Mayor John Tory. "We're proud of Toronto's film and television industry and we want it to continue to grow. We will keep working with our industry partners so they have what they need to create jobs, attract talent and contribute to the economy."

Revival 629 Film Studios Announces New Studio Concept: Revival XP

TORONTO, ONTARIO --(Marketwired - Jan. 25, 2017) 

Revival 629 Film Studios ("Revival 629") announced today that it will make a further investment in its film studios at 629 Eastern Avenue. In response to the growing demand from the industry, Revival 629 will build a new 7,500 square foot studio called Revival XP. This studio will cater to those in the industry producing music videos, TV commercials and virtual reality (VR). As is customary in these types of productions, Revival XP will lease space on a short term basis to those who require easily accessible space for a specific period. In addition, there will be 1,500 square feet of support space. The state of the art facility will offer 40 foot ceiling height, green walls and lighting grids. Revival XP will be available for lease by July 2017.

Carlaw + Dundas in Leslieville

The Carlaw + Dundas district of our Leslieville neighbourhood has a rich industrial heritage dating back to the late 1800s. Early industries – including abattoirs, cattle sheds, piggeries, market gardens, brickyards, florists and a tree nursery – emerged to take advantage of the easy access to the growing city and Carlaw + Dundas' proximity to the Grand Trunk Railway.

City of Toronto holding town hall meetings for street food vending industry review

Members of the street food vending industry and the general public are invited to attend town hall meetings as the City of Toronto's Municipal Licensing and Standards Division reviews the City's street food vending bylaws. The goal is to create a harmonized street food vending bylaw that balances the interests of all stakeholders and encourages a vibrant street food experience.

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City of Toronto
Email:
Phone: 416-392-4060
Address:
100 Queen St W, Suite C44
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2