• Ontario
• Greater Toronto Area
• Toronto
• East End
• Gerrard Street East

Gerrard India Bazaar

In the early 70s Gian Naaz purchased the Eastwood Theatre and began presenting Bollywood and Pakistani movies attracting a significant Indo-Canadian population to the area. The success of the theatre led to more South Asian businesses opening in the area, eventually establishing Little India on Gerrard St. East. Stretching from Greenwood to Coxwell, the area is notable as one of the largest shopping districts for the South Asian community in North America and the lack of an adjoining residential community-- compared to its Toronto cultural counter-parts Little Italy and Little Portugal. Instead vacant businesses were turned into homes and the area remained a popular commercial destination for the South Asian community until the 90s. With the lack of a residential community and the expansion of the Greater Toronto area, many South Asian families established communities in the GTA including Markham, Brampton and Mississauga. Much of Little India is still operating today, however it is no longer the commercial centre for the South Asian communities.