The stretch of Eglinton West between Keele Street and Allen Road has long served as the cultural epicenter of Toronto's Black community. This neighborhood, often referred to as Little Jamaica, has faced significant challenges in the last 15 years, particularly with the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) line. According to the Business Improvement Area (BIA), over 300 small businesses have closed during this time, struggling to survive amidst ongoing construction disruptions.
Junior Lewis, a local business owner whose family began operating in the area in the early 1970s, expressed frustration over the impact the construction has had on their livelihood. "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," he lamented. His family's shop, which started as a hair and cosmetics store and evolved into Monica's Cosmetic Supplies, has been a staple in the community for decades.
Lewis highlighted that the environmental and financial impacts of street closures, lack of parking, and diminished foot traffic have severely harmed local businesses. Many business owners have resorted to alternative ideas for their spaces, such as transforming them into art galleries, but these efforts have not mitigated the burden of property taxes and other expenses.
The neighborhood, once bustling with food, fashion, and music, now features numerous boarded-up storefronts. Nick Alampi, another business owner in the area, criticized the provincial government for failing to provide any meaningful support or accountability during this challenging period. "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," he asserted.
Metrolinx has stated that they have allocated over $171 million to support local businesses in Toronto, including $1.38 million for organizations like Little Jamaica. However, Lewis insists that more needs to be done to preserve the culture and history of the neighborhood. He urges local authorities, including politicians like Doug Ford and Olivia Chow, to engage with the community to determine what is necessary to retain the essence of Little Jamaica.
Despite these hardships, local business owners are hopeful that new entrepreneurs will recognize the potential of the area as a growing neighborhood full of opportunities. The Eglinton Crosstown Line 5 is designed to connect Mount Dennis station in the west to Kennedy station in the east, facilitating further access to Line 2 Bloor-Danforth and GO Transit’s Stouffville line.
The construction of the Eglinton Crosstown project began in 2011 under the previous Ontario Liberal government. Initially slated for completion in 2020, the timeline has faced numerous setbacks due to legal complications, construction obstacles, and delays resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, a specific opening date has not been confirmed, but the line is anticipated to open sometime in early 2026.
