For many years, a section of Eglinton West between Keele Street and Allen Road has served as the cultural center for Toronto’s Black community.
However, over the past 15 years, the BIA reports that more than 300 small businesses have closed their doors, struggling to endure the long construction period linked to the Crosstown LRT.
“Where do we get that money from? We don’t have no business, no clientele for the past 15 years. The city hasn’t given us anything back, Metrolinx hasn’t given us anything back,” said Junior Lewis, whose family was among the first to open a shop in this area back in the early 1970s.
“My mom basically come up with the concept of doing hair and cosmetics and hair dressing and my dad did the records,” shared Lewis.
What eventually became Monica’s Cosmetic Supplies turned into an iconic spot and weathered decades as Little Jamaica developed.
Lewis tells City News that businesses started facing challenges when streets were closed off, parking spaces disappeared, and foot traffic dropped during the Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction.
“So I just cleared this whole place out and then I just got stuck. I was going to use it as an art gallery trying to do heritage things but that’s not going to help me pay the taxes,” said Lewis.
This neighborhood, once alive with food, fashion, and music, now has more boarded-up shops than those open for business.
Remaining business owners like Nick Alampi say there’s been little support or accountability from provincial authorities.
“Those at Metrolinx are ready to say it is what it is and we are doing our best. Why can’t we hold them accountable? They got their bonuses. They are getting their pay increases,” said Alampi
In a statement, Metrolinx claims it has provided over $171 million to assist local businesses in Toronto, including $1.38 million for Eglinton-area BIAs like Little Jamaica.
But Lewis insists more action is needed to protect both the culture and history of this neighborhood.
“I don’t know if it’s Metrolinx, Doug Ford, Olivia Chow but somebody has to come back and say, ‘In order for you guys to keep little Jamaica, what do you need?’” shared Lewis.
The local business community hopes entrepreneurs will view this area as an emerging neighborhood full of opportunities.
The Line 5 Eglinton Crosstown will run from Mount Dennis station in the west end all the way to Kennedy station in the east end where there will be connections to Line 2 Bloor-Danforth and GO Transit’s Stouffville line.
The construction of Eglinton Crosstown began in 2011 under a previous Ontario Liberal government along with different management at Metrolinx.
The project was expected to open in 2020 but has faced multiple delays due to legal issues as well as COVID-19-related setbacks.
A specific opening date hasn’t been set yet; however, it’s anticipated that it will launch sometime in early 2026.
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