Canada – Greek Diaspora History
Greektown Toronto
Greektown Toronto
Greektown Toronto, also known as Greektown on the Danforth, hosts the largest Greek diaspora neighbourhood in North America! The area has one of the highest concentrations of restaurants per kilometre in the world.
As is the case for Oakleigh in Melbourne and Astoria in New York, Greektown Toronto is a common gathering point for the Greek community of Toronto. With a plethora of renowned Greek restaurants, boutiques, markets, cafés, bakeries, and other cultural shops – Greektown Toronto attracts tourists and locals alike.
Greek Diaspora History – Greektown Toronto
In 1909, the first Greek Orthodox Church in Toronto was built.
Before World War II, the Greek community of Toronto was estimated at approximately 3,000.
The Business Improvement Area (BIA) was established in August of 1981 as the Danforth Village Business Improvement Area. The BIA is group of businesses within a specified district, who join together with the aim of stimulating local business.
In February, 1982, an official logo was assigned to the BIA, with Ms. Helen Panopoulos winning a design contest. The logo includes Doric columns and laurel leaves, inspired by ancient Greek culture.
Also in 1982, the street signs were replaced with distinctive blue and white bilingual signs, featuring the street names in both Greek and English.
In June, 1993, the name of the BIA was officially changed to GreekTown on the Danforth. Shortly after, a new logo was designed to reflect the new name.
Greektown Toronto Today
Today, there are almost 150,000 Greeks in Ontario and almost 60,000 of them calling Toronto home. Greeks make up the 17th largest ethnic group in Toronto with 2.1% of the population.
The streets of Greektown Toronto are lined with the unmistakable blue and white of the Greek flag and bilingual street signs.
Greektown Toronto is a thriving economic and social cosmopolitan hub, well known for the popular annual Taste of the Danforth festival.
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