A New Culture of Commerce

As immigration increases, many suburbs across North America have become attractive to immigrants as they seek affordable housing, better living conditions, education and job opportunities, and community connections. Agincourt is not an exception. In the 1970s, a concentration of Chinese businesses emerged in Agincourt, home to many Chinese people who formed almost half of its 8000 residents. The first Chinese shops appeared at Glen Watford and Sheppard where the Dragon Center, the first North American indoor Chinese mall was built. The area soon became known as Scarborough’s Chinatown, alongside other plazas like Agincourt Mall and Torchin Plaza.

The front entrance of Agincourt Mall, written in large red letters with the subheading

The regal and welcoming entrance of Agincourt Mall.

Chinese businesses in these new plazas and malls attracted Chinese immigrants from all over Toronto. They shopped for special ingredients from back home and ate dishes from their hometowns. Since many newcomers cook at home and don’t need special training or certifications to prepare their favourite dishes, they typically opened and operated their own food businesses to make a living and connect with the community.

A coloured photograph of the front of the Orient Express restaurant in Torchin Plaza, Scarborough showing the restaurant's sign in yellow with red text, a window showing the inside of the restaurant and other signs in the window.

The dazzling storefront of The Orient Express, one of the many restaurants in Cathay Plaza, also known as Torchin Plaza originally.

A colorful sign with English and Chinese writing

Cathay Plaza’s roster, featuring many Chinese businesses and restaurants that served the diverse Agincourt community.

Developed in 1977 by a Chinese developer who purchased land on Sheppard Avenue East, Torchin Plaza (now known as Cathay Plaza) became the home of New World Oriental Cuisine restaurant and the first branch of Mandarin Restaurant. It was one of the original malls that made up the tapestry of Chinese businesses in Scarborough. The mall today features a variety of East Asian restaurants and businesses that draw immigrants from all parts of Toronto. It was a cornerstone of Agincourt.

An analog photograph of a parking lot with parked cars in front of a one story row of restaurants and businesses part of Torchin Plaza in Agincourt.

Cathay Plaza’s bustling parking lot in 1977, serving customers and diners in the Agincourt community.

During this time, Norman Ho, a real estate broker in Scarborough, estimated that about half of Agincourt’s real estate belonged to Chinese investors. The influence of the Chinese community was growing, putting Agincourt on the map for its food, its culture, and its community.

A coloured photograph of Cathay Plaza's parking lot with parked cars in front of a one story row of restaurants and businesses, including Beef Noodle Restaurant and others.

Cathay Plaza’s bustling parking lot midday in 2023 as it was when it first opened.

Finding a New Home New Roots & Rising Tensions