Storefront Stories
Title: Storefront Stories
Date: May 2025-April 2026
Location: Sonshine Way, Sheff Family Building, Sherman Campus, 4588 Bathurst Street, Toronto
From bakeries to bookstores to butcher shops, Jewish-owned storefronts have long been an important part of Ontario’s cityscapes and main streets. These businesses tell a larger story—of migration, adaptation, and community-building across generations.
The mid-19th century to the 20th century saw successive waves of Jewish immigrants to Canada. Each came for different reasons, but all shared a common goal: to earn a livelihood while supporting community life. Whether carrying on a family trade or adapting to new markets, these entrepreneurs helped shape Ontario’s streets and played a vital role in the development of Jewish life across the province.
Storefront Stories, a new exhibition from the Ontario Jewish Archives, explores the fascinating histories of these businesses and the families who built them.
Curated Tours
Join the Ontario Jewish Archives for a curated tour of the exhibition, offering an in-depth look at its fascinating stories of immigration, entrepreneurship, and community.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
- July 17, 2025
- August 21, 2025
- September 18, 2025
- October 16, 2025
- November 20, 2025
- December 18, 2025