During the 60s and 70s Baldwin Village experienced drastic changes in its demographic and neighbourhood characteristic. As the Jewish community migrated north, the village's proximity to Chinatown and the University of Toronto brought a wave of Chinese families and students into the area.

By 1964 American draft dodgers took refuge in the neighbourhood before moving onto other parts of the country. Those that remained eventually converted a number of homes into business laying the foundation for this communities mom and pop shops and one of the most distinctive selection of restaurants in the city.

In the 70s the cities attempts at demolishing a historic part of the neighbourhood for a hydro transformation station were successfully refuted by the community. Razing the north-western block of Victorian homes, the Chinese community and students protested to preserve the sight. Local historian Victoria Ilgacs describe the event "as one of the first successful combinations of citizen activism and heritage preservation in Toronto." The partially demolished block was converted into public housing designed by Canadian architect, Jack Diamond.

In the late 70s Baldwin Village opened it's first cafe, Java Blues. Although an unsuccessful business, it would lay down the brick works for many established family run restaurants and businesses in the city. Although many of the original restaurants have since closed, their heritage is still prevalent in the neighbourhoods diverse and eclectic shops.