Ridgeway Plaza: from halal food haven to neighbourhood flashpoint

On warm summer nights in Mississauga’s Churchill Meadows, Ridgeway Plaza comes alive. 

The smell of sizzling kebabs and freshly baked naan drifts into the parking lot, where groups of friends and families spill out from restaurants, chai spots, and dessert shops.

For many Muslim residents of the GTA, the plaza has become a beloved destination — a late-night cultural hub where the city’s diverse halal food scene flourishes.

With over 120 businesses, many run by South Asian, Middle Eastern, and African entrepreneurs, Ridgeway Plaza isn’t just a commercial strip. 

It’s a meeting place, a showcase of immigrant success stories, and a space where young people, in particular, gather into the early hours.

But its popularity has also brought headaches.

Nearby residents have complained for years about sleepless nights caused by roaring engines, crowded parking lots, and large gatherings that sometimes spill into the street. 

City officials have pointed to traffic congestion, littering, and noise as persistent problems.

Police say they have responded to hundreds of calls this year alone.

Earlier this month, those tensions reached a turning point.

An Ontario court granted the City of Mississauga an injunction requiring plaza owners and tenants to take immediate action to curb disturbances. 

The order specifically targets illegal parking, street racing, and late-night nuisances that have frustrated neighbours and prompted repeated enforcement crackdowns.

In response, the plaza’s condominium board has unveiled a new security plan. 

Private security guards will patrol the site seven days a week, focusing on peak weekend hours.

Paid-duty police officers will be deployed on the busiest nights. 

The plaza will also see improved lighting, new surveillance cameras, and more signage reminding visitors of traffic and parking rules.

“We are committed to working with the city and police to make Ridgeway Plaza a safe and welcoming place for everyone,” said Ameer Hamzah, chair of the condo board.

Deputy Mayor Matt Mahoney called the measures “a step in the right direction” but stressed that lasting change will require consistent enforcement and cooperation among all stakeholders. 

Peel Regional Police have pledged to continue monitoring the site closely.

The challenge is finding a way to preserve the plaza’s vibrancy while addressing the legitimate concerns of residents.

Ridgeway Plaza’s late-night buzz is part of what makes it special, particularly for a Muslim community that often socializes after evening prayers or late family meals during Ramadan. 

For many, it offers a sense of belonging in a suburban landscape that can feel otherwise fragmented.

Yet the very factors that make Ridgeway Plaza a cultural hotspot have also placed it at the centre of a growing debate about how public spaces evolve — and how communities balance celebration with consideration.

Whether the new security measures will restore peace without dimming the plaza’s unique energy remains to be seen. 

But for now, Ridgeway stands as both a testament to Mississauga’s multicultural dynamism and a reminder of the complexities that come with success.