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<\/p>\nAn image of Ridgeway Plaza from last year.<\/p>\n
With temperatures reaching 15 C during the day and the mild weather lasting well into the night, large crowds again returned to Mississauga\u2019s most controversial plaza yesterday (March 7).<\/p>\n
Reports on social media and from many who were there indicate that Ridgeway Plaza in the city\u2019s west end was \u201cjam-packed\u201d throughout the day as those cooped up all winter decided to head to their favourite hotspot, one that has grabbed headlines for several years.<\/p>\n
The plaza, located at Eglinton Avenue West and Ridgeway Drive, has gained its notoriety because of the large crowds that come looking for food at the 115 restaurants or to just hang out and connect with those who have the same cultural background.<\/p>\n
However, residents who live nearby regularly complain of the late hours that are kept by the stores, traffic, noise and customers who sometimes stay until 4 a.m.<\/p>\n
For the first time in 2026, all those factors came into play yesterday.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere they come again. As soon as the weather warms up, the place is jam-packed. I guess we can look forward to this all summer,\u201d said an online commenter who lives near the plaza.<\/p>\n
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The City of Mississauga has taken several steps to clamp down on activities at Ridgeway Plaza and plans to do more.<\/p>\n
One move is changing the bylaws that will limit\u00a0the number of restaurants allowed to operate. The city is also looking at ways to handle parking, as the often full lot often means cars overflow into the surrounding neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n
Policing issues are also a concern as Peel officers have carried out numerous enforcement blitzes and often respond to complaints of fights, fireworks, and car racing.<\/p>\n
But merchants who operate at the plaza have pushed back, saying they provide significant business revenue for Mississauga and moves to take control of the plaza will mean the loss of hundreds of jobs.<\/p>\n
On social media, many comments about the plaza and yesterday\u2019s gathering were negative. Still, others defended the large gathering, saying it is harmless fun that gives those who have been separated from family in other countries an opportunity to make new friends and eat familiar food.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s face it, there are a lot of racial overtones about what is going on at Ridgeway,\u201d said Rand Joshi, who spoke to INsauga.com. \u201cIt\u2019s mostly young brown people (South Asians) and people from the Middle East that go there. That can be a little intimidating for some. I get that. But it gives us something to do, some place to go. I grew up here and have friends, but there are so many others just looking to connect with people from the same background.\u201d<\/p>\n
City officials and police are preparing to unveil more plans for Ridgeway Plaza at a community meeting scheduled for March 11.<\/p>\n
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