More Than Just a Mall

A coloured photograph of a large red sign atop a 6 lane road that reads Dragon Centre in English and Chinese characters.

The Dragon Centre Mall sign overlooking one of the main avenues in Agincourt.

In the 1980s and 90s, the Dragon Centre was a big deal in Agincourt, shaping how people saw race in Toronto. For the Chinese community, it was more than just a mall; it was a place that felt like home. There, they could shop for special ingredients from back home, socialize with friends and family, or host gatherings in the restaurants that were often within the mall.

Analog photograph showing a two adults and two young children in a restaurant with a banner behind them reading

Families gathered to celebrate the Christmas holidays in a neighbourhood favorite Chinese restaurant located within a mall.

Howard Tam, an urban planner and active community member who grew up in Agincourt, says the Dragon Centre played a huge role in fostering the community during this time. When it opened, there were only a few Chinese-owned shops around, but by 1987, there were over a dozen Chinese malls in Agincourt. This growth kept going north into Markham during the 1990s.

A photo from the Toronto Star features a man in a tea shop

Henry Hung reflecting on the success of The Dragon Centre Mall.

Analog photograph showing the Dragon Centre Mall with a grey brick facade, a wooden tower with stylized black Chinese characters, red storefront signs, and a full parking lot with patrons entering the mall.

Dragon Centre Mall during the early years.

Dragon Centre, as it was called, quickly became a hot spot. These malls became places where people felt like they belonged, reflecting the lifestyles and heritage of the Asian diaspora.

The mall attracted many customers not just from Scarborough and Markham but also from North York and Toronto. Its design was special; it had a corridor with lots of stores, offering shelter from the weather. This space was casual, with shopkeepers sometimes putting merchandise outside and inviting people to sit and chat.

Shopfront of 'JOYS DRAGON MART' inside a mall, displaying traditional Chinese statues, art, and red decorations, with a 'For Sale' sign posted.

Inside the Dragon Centre Mall.

The role the Dragon Centre played was instrumental. When it opened there was only a smattering of Chinese-owned businesses in local strip malls, but by 1987 there were more than a dozen Chinese malls in Agincourt. That growth continued to expand northward into Markham throughout the 1990s.

– Howard Tam, Urban Planner and Agincourt resident

One story grey brick building with storefront signs, a grey brick tower with stylized Chinese characters and parked cars in a large parking lot.

The Dragon Centre after renovations in the 90’s to reflect a more contemporary time.

Here, they could celebrate and enjoy their culture. Similar to how Asian malls are important community places today, Dragon Centre was the heart of the Chinese community in Agincourt and Scarborough. It wasn’t just a shopping mall; it was where people gathered and connected with each other over their cultures and their foods from back home.

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