A New Multicultural Community
As Agincourt continued to grow, it started to attract newcomers and entrepreneurs from all over Asia, like from Sri Lanka. This made it into more than a Chinatown that catered to the Chinese community, but instead turned it into a vibrant and diverse community. At the centre of this growth, food became the way everyone connected and co-existed together. Newcomers didn’t shy away from joining businesses that were already in Agincourt, and making them into their own.
The dining hall in Liuyishou Hot Pot with warm hot pot and satisfied customers.
Hot pot is an inclusive concept. Similar to Canada’s multiculturalism, the soup base is for everybody. Anyone can find the taste they prefer.
– John from Liuyishou Hotpot
Liuyishou Hot Pot’s vibrant sign, attracting customers every day.
In the 1990s, Markham Road began transforming into a bustling area for businesses and restaurants. It started with small spaces in plazas, primarily hosting South Asian fashion, jewellery shops, accounting, and real estate businesses. Gradually, take-out spots began appearing, attracting a growing Tamil and diverse community seeking a taste of home and a welcoming place to bond.
Main entrance to Majestic City Mall.
Opened on September 22, 2018, Majestic City stands tall on 2900 Markham Road, Scarborough. It’s similar to the renowned Pacific Mall in Markham. This impressive two-story mall is a blend of Sri Lankan and Indian architectural elegance, reflecting the richness of their cultures combined with the modern practicality of efficient shopping centres.
Kandiah Rajakulasingam from Babu Restaurant reflects on the power of food to bring people of different cultures and backgrounds together to connect at his restaurant. Enjoy this audio clip with an English Transcript.
Kadiah, owner and operator of the popular restaurant, Babu in Agincourt.
We have a strong Tamil community in this area. So, that helped the business a lot in the beginning. Now, I have all kinds of customers. But, for a certain time, I had only Tamil customers.
– Kandiah Rajakulasingam, owner and operator of Babu restaurant
Over time, the Tamil community expanded its presence along Markham Road, stretching from McNicoll to Steeles and beyond. What initially began as a small hub has organically grown into a vibrant centre, nurturing a sense of community among Tamil residents. Majestic City now serves as a landmark, offering a space for cultural connection, shopping, and social gatherings, contributing to the rich tapestry of Scarborough’s diverse neighbourhoods.
This new trend of inclusivity in Agincourt didn’t just include the Asian community, it also opened its doors to the Mediterranean community as well.
Sam Thamkachen from Shawarma Daddy restaurant in Agincourt discusses the diversity of his employees and customers and how that diversity brings the community together. Enjoy this audio clip with an English transcript.
Sam from Shawarma Daddy prepares a delicious shawarma wrap for his patrons.