Little Jamaica, a vibrant cultural and historical area located along Eglinton Avenue West between Keele Street and Allen Road, is facing significant challenges due to the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) line. The impact of the construction has been devastating for many local businesses, with numerous store owners anxiously awaiting increased foot traffic now that Line 5 is operational.
However, for Claude Thompson, the owner of Natural Flavas juice bar at 1657 Eglinton Avenue West, the reality is starkly different. Just two years after opening his store, Thompson closed its doors for good on a recent Saturday. He expressed disappointment, stating, "The numbers are not enough to support a business like this, and given the cost of business today, it makes it a little difficult." Thompson initially believed the LRT line would be operational by 2024 when he moved into the storefront. With ongoing delays, he hoped for positive results following the eventual opening of Line 5, saying, "We heard it was going to open in July. We kept going." Ironically, upon its opening, he found it was too late for his business.
Thompson's daughter, Gabrielle, added that the foot traffic from the beginning of the construction was lacking. Although the Thompsons do not fully attribute the closure of Natural Flavas solely to the LRT construction, they acknowledged that the character of the neighborhood has changed dramatically in recent years.
Meanwhile, other business owners remain optimistic about the future. Dhanushka Subeappu Kankanamalage, the owner of Kingpin Wings at 1708 Eglinton Avenue West, noted that he has observed some improvement in foot traffic since Line 5’s opening, although he believes it will take time for a full recovery. Alicia Bailey, founder of Everblüm Essentials, who set up a pop-up shop inside the newly opened Souperlicious restaurant, shared her sadness in seeing the decline of local businesses. "I remember coming up to Little Jamaica with my parents as a child, and it’s just sad to see that construction stopped a lot of businesses," she remarked.
According to a 2022 report from the City of Toronto’s economic and community development committee, over 140 stores have permanently closed since construction began in 2011, with 48 of the 85 Black-owned businesses in Little Jamaica shutting down. Jason McDonald, chair of the Little Jamaica Business Improvement Area (BIA), expressed his concerns about the ongoing closures, stating, "The foot traffic has not increased, and right now, Little Jamaica is in a state of emergency. We need support from all levels of the government." McDonald, also the owner of Casual Beauty Salon, which has operated in the area for over 25 years, highlighted that more than 300 small businesses have closed during his time in the neighborhood.
As for governmental support, McDonald is calling for inquiries and immediate compensation for affected businesses, emphasizing the need for direct financial assistance rather than just investments in infrastructure improvements. In response to community concerns, Premier Doug Ford recently ruled out a public inquiry into the delays associated with the Eglinton Crosstown project. McDonald noted, "Mr. Ford is free to have his opinions... however, we disagree on this one." The Little Jamaica BIA recently held its first town hall meeting to discuss strategies for revitalizing the neighborhood’s business landscape.
While Metrolinx has indicated a commitment to supporting local businesses through community benefits, including $1.38 million in funding through various city grants, many business owners like McDonald feel that more immediate and direct action is necessary. "The community is here; we want to serve; however, we need support,” he added.
Despite the closure of Natural Flavas, Claude Thompson remains hopeful for the future of Little Jamaica. He indicated plans to transition his business model away from a physical storefront. "We are thinking about coming to you rather than you coming to us, so you may see us popping up elsewhere," he said, reflecting a determination to adapt and persevere in the face of adversity.
