Well-known Toronto tour guide and local storyteller John Gerges is calling for greater public awareness and support for the city’s independent artists, small businesses and neighbourhood communities. After years guiding travellers through Graffiti Alley, Kensington Market and Toronto’s laneway networks, Gerges says the city’s cultural heartbeat depends on everyday people choosing to engage with it.
“Toronto never sits still, so we can’t take its culture for granted,” Gerges says. “Every mural, café, and market stall tells a story, but stories fade if people stop listening.”
Recent data supports his concern. According to the City of Toronto’s Arts Council, more than 30% of independent galleries and art spaces closed between 2018 and 2023, and small businesses continue to struggle with rising operating costs. In Kensington Market alone, local advocacy groups report that over a dozen independent shops have shut down since 2020.
Gerges believes the solution begins with public participation. “You don’t need to be an artist to support the arts. Walk through a laneway. Visit a family-owned shop. Stop to read a mural. These small acts keep neighbourhoods alive.”
A Career Built on Local Stories
Gerges grew up exploring Toronto’s streets and later transformed his passion into a career. His walking tours highlight hidden murals, community gardens and family-run businesses. Guests often remark that his tours feel like being shown around by a close friend rather than a guide.
He explains that his spontaneous style comes from respecting the city’s energy. “A new mural can appear overnight. A food stall might pop up that wasn’t there last weekend. My tours change because the city changes,” he says.
By sharing those stories, Gerges hopes people will realise how much of Toronto’s identity is shaped by artists and small business owners—groups that face increasing challenges.
Why Preserving Local Culture Matters
Research from Destination Toronto shows that cultural tourism generates nearly $2.5 billion a year, and visitors rank neighbourhood diversity, food culture and street art among the city’s top attractions. Yet many of the spaces that make Toronto unique operate with thin margins and limited funding.
“People travel here for experiences you can’t get in other cities. The laneways. The markets. The art that feels personal. If we lose those things, we lose what makes Toronto Toronto,” Gerges says.
His concern also extends to artists themselves. Toronto arts organisations report that 70% of mural artists struggle with access to affordable workspace, and many rely on community engagement to sustain their work.
How You Can Support Toronto’s Cultural Landscape
Instead of large campaigns or fundraising events, Gerges encourages simple everyday choices:
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Visit neighbourhoods you’ve never explored before.
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Support small shops, food stalls and local markets.
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Pause and appreciate street art rather than rushing past it.
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Learn the stories behind murals and independent businesses.
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Share local artists’ work online to help boost visibility.
“Culture survives when people show up for it,” he says. “Anyone can help just by being curious and paying attention.”
Gerges also invites people to take self-guided walks, photograph murals, or create their own “mini-tours” for friends and family. He believes these simple acts deepen connection and encourage long-term appreciation.
What’s Next for John Gerges
Gerges is currently working on a photo-driven book capturing the evolution of Toronto’s laneways and the artists who shape them. He is also developing a night-time tour focused on neon lights and after-dark street culture.
“Toronto is a living canvas,” he says. “Every person who engages with it becomes part of the story. The more people who care, the brighter that story becomes.”
About John Gerges
John Gerges is a Toronto-based tour guide, storyteller and street culture advocate known for his immersive walking tours through Graffiti Alley, Kensington Market and surrounding neighbourhoods. His work highlights the importance of community, creativity and preserving the spirit of Toronto’s urban landscape.
Media Contact
Company Name: John Gerges
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City: Toronto
State: Ontario
Country: Canada
Website: www.johngerges.com
