A Great Area to Locate your Business

A Dynamic Retail & Restaurant District

Being part of the Danforth Business community puts your business front and centre in one of Toronto’s most dynamic retail and restaurant districts that is a popular choice for the surrounding community of Riverdale as well as the "close by" communities of the Beach, Cabbagetown and Rosedale.

Since 2010, we created an active event-based marketing program called The Danforth Experience that generates awareness and excitement for our area and is a celebration throughout the year of all that is local and great to experience “on the Danforth".

In addition, our district is the shared home to Canada’s largest Food Festival, Taste of the Danforth, created by our neighbours from the Greektown BIA.  The Taste draws more that 1 million visitors annually to our area and represents a great profiling and business opportunity for a wide range of businesses with a diverse audience from the GTA and beyond.

A Neighbourhood with Strong Roots and a History of Community

To look into the future of the Danforth it is important to recognize its rich history and tradition.

The busy, cosmopolitan area that makes up today’s Danforth was in 1900 a largely rural area anchored by two family farms located immediately north and south of Danforth. Most people today would find it hard to recognize the Broadview & Danforth corner in 1906 when it was home to a blacksmith on the North East corner as the only structure.

Being part of the Danforth Business community puts your business front and centre in one of Toronto’s most dynamic retail and restaurant districts.   It is a popular choice for the surrounding community of Riverdale as well as the a easy and convenient destination for neighbouring communities of the Beach, Cabbagetown and Rosedale.

Viewed through the lens of history it is clear that the Danforth has embodied growth and change throughout the many decades since it first began to expand. Throughout, it has always remained a community that offers families of diverse backgrounds the opportunity to grow and prosper. It is a firm foundation that retailers and restaurateurs can join and take advantage of in building long term and enduring relationships with the more than 12,800 working age adults who call the area home. The Danforth BIA looks forward to helping to shape the next century of growth in our area and to continuing to increase the vibrancy and energy in our neighbourhood in balance with the traditions and aspirations of our residents.

A Community That Celebrates and Embraces Diversity

At its core the Danforth celebrates and embraces a diversity that positively shapes the ability of business owners to create unique retail and restaurant experiences. With an early history of British, Irish and Scottish immigration lasting the 19th century, the area has also been home to waves of Italian, Estonian and Greek immigration among many groups who have all left their mark on the community. With its close proximity and access to downtown, The Danforth has become a popular location for progressive, young urban couples and families over the past few decades including many members of the lesbian and gay community. It is an area that is gifted with more than its fair share of artists, musicians, writers and journalists who enjoy the easy going neighbourhood they all call home.

The impact of this diversity is seen in the many unique businesses that call the Danforth home including one-of-a-kind retailers in fashion, eco friendly living, organic foods, gifts and an endless variety of dining options from worldwide cultures. On the Danforth you can enjoy a ham and egg breakfast, an Indian lunch, a Brazilian dinner all while you shop for the latest in bridal fashion, floral design, footwear, pet products, antiques and gifts from around the world. Why not take a dance lesson and wrap up the evening with some live entertainment at one of the many bars and pubs located here. Is it any wonder residents love to walk the Danforth and encourage their friends from other areas of the city to come and join them in the experience?