The family of Monica Lewis, the beloved entrepreneur and matriarch whose business helped shape Toronto’s Little Jamaica, announces her passing with profound sadness and deep gratitude for a life exceptionally well lived.
Born in Jamaica, Monica Lewis was given a rare opportunity as a young woman—one afforded to only a single member of her family—to leave home for England in pursuit of a brighter future. Carrying the hopes of her family with her, she eventually settled in Canada, where she would go on to leave an enduring mark on Toronto’s Caribbean community.
In the late 1960s, Monica and her husband George purchased a property at 1553 Eglinton Avenue West and began a lifetime of service to the Caribbean community in Toronto and throughout Southern Ontario. Having migrated from England as skilled workers with a British education, the couple established a business that would become a cornerstone of the neighbourhood.
Originally, Monica’s operated as a record store, selling vinyl records, record players, CDs, posters, and electronics. The shop quickly became a gathering place for music lovers and collectors, known for carrying sounds and artists popular in both the Caribbean and the United Kingdom. For many residents, it was more than a store—it was a cultural hub.
By the 1980s, the business evolved into Monica’s Beauty Supply, a beauty and cosmetics store and salon that continued to sell the occasional record. As one of the few Black-owned beauty supply stores serving Toronto’s growing Black population, Monica’s became a destination for customers from across Southern Ontario. Women and men travelled from near and far to purchase products that were often unavailable elsewhere, helping establish the store as Little Jamaica’s longest-standing beauty and hair care retailer.
Although the business eventually closed amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic pressures caused by years of disruptive construction along Eglinton Avenue West, Monica’s remains a cherished memory for countless residents and visitors. Many fondly recall stopping in for a record, a beauty product, or simply a conversation with “Miss Monica,” as she was affectionately known.
Yet those who knew Monica best will remember her not only for what she built, but for how she treated people.
A woman of deep faith and unwavering compassion, Monica welcomed everyone with warmth and dignity—whether it was someone seeking shelter from the cold, a young family in need of guidance, or a renowned musician who had travelled across the world to visit her shop. Her contributions to Toronto and its cultural landscape were recognized by both the City of Toronto and the Mayor.
There will never be another Monica Lewis, and she will be missed beyond measure.
A funeral service celebrating Monica’s life will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Revivaltime Tabernacle, 4340 Dufferin Street, Toronto. Doors will open at 10:00 a.m., with the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Family, friends, and all whose lives were touched by Monica are warmly invited to attend. The service will also be livestreamed.