Parking Lots for the People

A plaza parking lot at night, as bustling and lively as it is during the day.

When the Dragon Centre became a weekend hotspot in the 80s and 90s, it attracted hundreds of people from across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It was a very informal gathering space for the community, with shop keepers’ goods spilling into the sidewalks. They’d place folding chairs outside their shop entrances to invite shoppers to linger. These transitions inspired visitors to see the parking lots of malls as inviting spots to hang out with their friends and family while they eat the delicious food that reminds them of home.

A delicious shawarma from Shawarma Daddy enjoyed by a student in the parking lot near the store.

We don’t have good night spots in this area. And since we are from this community, we don’t want to go anywhere far. And when I checked, I found this as the best place in our area. We don’t have any other stores opening in this complex, so we have the entire parking lot after seven [available for our customers to hang out].

– Sam from Shawarma Daddy

Despite malls in Agincourt and all over Scarborough being designated for commercial use, visiting customers and immigrants from the community find connection and comfort while enjoying their foods together in the parking lots near these plazas. This creates an informal, welcoming and connected sense of togetherness away from home.

It’s a multicultural country, [and I now have] many multicultural customers. When you come during lunchtime, you will see about 90% is non Tamil.

– Kandiah Rajakulasingam, owner and operator of Babu Restaurant

Biryani from Babu’s restaurant enjoyed by customers in the parking lot.