Blog > New Business Openings in Markham You Should Know About
New Business Openings in Markham You Should Know About
One of the best things about living in Markham is that there's always something new to discover — a café that just opened, a restaurant everyone's talking about, a new shop worth a visit.
What new businesses are opening in Markham? Markham's dining and retail scene is constantly evolving, with a steady stream of new cafés, restaurants, and shops — especially in Downtown Markham, along the Highway 7 corridor, and in areas like Unionville and Cathedraltown. Recent additions include stylish cafés and globally inspired restaurants. Beyond being fun to explore, new business activity is a genuine signal of a neighbourhood's vibrancy and desirability — something worth watching as a resident or buyer.
One of the best things about living in Markham is that there's always something new to discover — a café that just opened, a restaurant everyone's talking about, a new shop worth a visit. Michael John Lau, a top real estate agent in Markham, shares some recent openings and explains why new business activity matters more than you might think.
Note: New businesses open and change frequently, and hours or status can shift — always confirm a place is open before visiting. For the most current list of what's new, Visit Markham (visitmarkham.ca) and Downtown Markham (downtownmarkham.ca) maintain up-to-date guides to new and notable spots. The examples below reflect recent openings at the time of writing.
Recent Additions Worth Knowing
Fifteenth Avenue (Downtown Markham)
A café that opened in Downtown Markham (at 169 Enterprise Blvd), offering coffee, matcha, and brunch in a welcoming atmosphere — the kind of stylish, modern spot that fits Downtown Markham's urban vibe. A nice addition for the area's residents and workers.
Ning Plus (Cathedral area)
A stylish café in the Cathedraltown area known for aesthetic vibes and hand-crafted drinks (like a signature perfume lemon tea), specialty coffees, and playful desserts — a photogenic new hangout.
Glad Restaurant (South Unionville)
A restaurant (at 28 South Unionville Avenue) with a globally inspired menu drawing from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East — from seafood pasta to Taiwanese braised pork — reflecting Markham's love of diverse cuisine in one lively spot.
Downtown Markham's growing scene
Downtown Markham continues to add to an already vibrant mix — anchored by names like the Toronto Marriott, Cineplex VIP+ IMAX, a 24-hour GoodLife Fitness, and a growing array of dining and retail, with more on the way as the area builds out. It's become a genuine urban destination.
The Highway 7 corridor
The Highway 7 corridor continues to see new restaurants and spots appearing, becoming one of Markham's most dynamic dining and commercial stretches. It's a great area to explore for what's new.
Where the New Openings Are Concentrated
If you're exploring what's new in Markham, a few areas consistently lead the way:
Downtown Markham (Markham Centre)
The city's urban core is a hotbed of new dining, cafés, retail, and entertainment — and continues to grow. It's the go-to for a modern, walkable scene.
Unionville and South Unionville
Historic Main Street Unionville and the surrounding South Unionville area blend established charm with new additions — cafés, restaurants, and shops worth discovering.
The Highway 7 corridor
A dynamic, evolving stretch with a steady flow of new restaurants and businesses, reflecting Markham's growth.
Cathedraltown and other growing areas
Newer and growing communities across Markham continue to attract fresh businesses serving their residents.
Why New Business Activity Matters — Beyond the Fun
Discovering new spots is enjoyable, but there's a deeper significance for residents and buyers:
A signal of neighbourhood vibrancy
New businesses opening in an area is a genuine signal of its vibrancy, growth, and desirability. Businesses invest where there's demand and foot traffic — so a steady flow of new openings reflects a healthy, in-demand area.
Amenities enhance quality of life — and value
Great cafés, restaurants, and shops nearby genuinely enhance daily life — and desirable amenities are part of what makes a neighbourhood attractive to live in. Walkable access to appealing amenities can contribute to an area's desirability and, over time, its property values.
A window into an area's trajectory
For buyers, the business activity in an area offers a window into its trajectory. A neighbourhood attracting new, quality businesses is often an area on the rise or in strong demand — useful context when considering where to buy.
Community and lifestyle
Local businesses are part of what makes a neighbourhood feel like a community — gathering spots, local character, and the texture of daily life. They're part of the lifestyle you're buying into.
The Bottom Line
Markham's constantly evolving dining and retail scene — concentrated in Downtown Markham, Unionville, the Highway 7 corridor, and growing communities — is one of the pleasures of living here, and a genuine signal of the city's vibrancy and desirability. Whether you're a resident looking for your next favourite spot or a buyer reading an area's trajectory, new business activity is worth paying attention to. Check Visit Markham for the current list, and enjoy exploring.
Michael John Lau, one of Markham's leading REALTORS®, knows Markham's neighbourhoods and what makes each one special — including the amenities and vibrancy that make areas desirable places to live. If you're looking for a neighbourhood that fits your lifestyle (great local spots included), let's talk about finding your perfect fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find Your Neighbourhood Fit
Michael John Lau, REALTOR®, knows what makes each Markham neighbourhood special — amenities and vibrancy included. Let's find your perfect fit.
Michael John Lau is a licensed REALTOR® at Kaizen Real Estate (eXp Realty), Licence #4784577, serving Markham and York Region. New businesses open and change frequently; hours and status can shift, so confirm before visiting. For current listings, see Visit Markham and Downtown Markham. Not intended to solicit clients currently under contract with another brokerage.
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