Lakeshore Village Business Improvement Area is made up of business owners and building owners in our BIA catchment area along Lake Shore from Dwight Avenue to 12th. St.  We are a not for profit organization that partners with and recieves it’s funding from The City of Toronto through property tax levies paid by the commercial building owners.

Our goal is to create a thriving, competitive, and safe business area that attracts shoppers, diners, tourists, and new businesses. By working collectively as a BIA, local businesses have the organizational and funding capacity to be catalysts for civic improvement and enhancing the quality of life in their local neighbourhood and the City as a whole. 

Lakeshore Village BIA works collaboratively with Longbranch, Mimico and Mimico by the Lake BIAs to enhance the South Etobicoke Area as a whole. 

Toronto BIAs are also members of an umbrella organization called the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA). TABIA encourages and facilitates the exchange of information, experiences, and ideas among BIAs; advocates on behalf of BIAs to influence government policy; helps obtain funding for programs and services for BIAs; and offers discount and savings programs for its members, such as preferred Merchant Visa and MasterCard rates.

The decision to start a BIA can only be made by people who own or lease commercial property in the area. Starting a new BIA involves a specific process as outlined in Municipal Code Chapter 19(PDF).

A BIA is run by a volunteer Board of Management elected from its members. The Board is nominated at an Annual General Meeting and, once approved by City Council, serves a four-year term concurrent with the term of Council. The Board works on behalf of its BIA and meets regularly to develop budgets, set priorities, implement capital improvements, plan festivals, and promote its business area.

Please email: lakeshorebia@gmail.com

Most board members also welcome you to visit them at their business. Please understand they are busy running their business (like you) and you may need to make an appointment if they are busy or come back at another time.

Current Volunteer Board of Directors (Term 2023-26)

Chair – Chris Korwin-Kuczynskim – Designate Lakeshore Super Submarine

Vice – Chair – David Dwyer – Black Collar Barbershop

Treasurer – Rattan Gandhi – Quick Refund Tax

Secretary – Alison Tunley – MiBody Health and Fitness

Director – Eleni Makrikostas – Children’s Urban Enrichment Studio

Director – Laura Baughman – Alterna Savings

Director – Peter Donato – Realty Life

Director – Danuta Gumienik – Property Owner 

Director – Christopher – Lakeshore Village Pharmasave

City Councillor – Amber Morley – Ward 5

Once the BIA members approve the budget and City Council ratifies it, funds are raised through a levy on all commercial and industrial properties within the BIA’s boundary. Calculation of this levy is based on the proportionate value of each property’s commercial and/or industrial assessment. Once the City collects the levy, it returns the funds to the BIA to manage.

We meet the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm at one of the BIA restaurants.

Anyone can attend a BIA meeting, both members and non-members.  To speak or give presentations, you need to be invited or pre-arrange to attend the meeting with the Chair Person. Only board members may vote at regular meetings.

Our Annual General meeting is held each fall and notice is given in writing 4 weeks ahead of time. Only members may vote at an Annual General Meeting.

We welcome both BIA Members and non-members to join one of our committees and work on projects like events and community safety. In fact we have a strong history of great community event volunteers and they would not be possible without their efforts.

For more information on BIA please visit:  City of Toronto BIA’