(Saint-Herménégilde, Eastern Townships) Since the start of the pandemic, convenience stores have proven to be an essential service more than ever. These are local shops that “help out”, but they also act as a social binder. In the countryside, we even see municipalities save their village convenience store to avoid seeing it close.
Posted yesterday at 11:00 a.m.
Some people would say it is located in the middle of nowhere. But for the 700 inhabitants of the village, the convenience store Chez Crête is the heart of Saint-Herménégilde, and certainly an essential service.
In fact, it’s almost the only business in this municipality of the Eastern Townships, located between Coaticook and the border with the State of Vermont.
When the previous owners decided to close shop five years ago, the convenience store was closed for six months.
I was thinking of retiring, but I found it so sad that people have to go all the way to Coaticook to get a pint of milk. I didn’t want us to become a ghost town… Finally, I decided to buy it!
Linda Bélanger Crête, owner of the convenience store Chez Crête
Mme Crête had worked for a good part of his life in the retail trade, notably at Canadian Tire and the Giant Tiger. “I bought myself a pension,” she says.
Let’s say it’s an active retirement, because any convenience store owner does not count his hours. Fortunately, M.me Crête can count on two reliable employees: his daughter and his grandson. Her retired husband – with whom she will celebrate 40 years of union – is also often by her side.
“In the summer, we have a lot of tourists. It is absolutely necessary to be two”, she indicates.
The Chez Crête convenience store is open seven days a week. Its canteen – open from 11 am to 8:30 pm – is a must for many regulars. During our visit, Mike, whose mother once owned the convenience store, dropped by for a poutine. He also wanted to “chat”.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
You can leave the Chez Crête convenience store with flour, poutine or hunting accessories.
In addition to his snack, Mme Crête sells accessories for hunting. “And I register big game,” adds the one who also gives safety courses in the handling of firearms at the municipal hall of Saint-Herménégilde.
“In the countryside, you can’t just be a convenience store to be profitable,” she points out. That’s why a lot of convenience stores are closing. »
An essential service
It cannot be invented. While Mme Crête has just told us that several convenience stores are closing, we learn on the radio in the car that the municipal council of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, in the Bois-Francs, has just decided by vote to acquire the convenience store in town.
“We bought the building, specified to The Press Mayor Jocelyn Bédard. We will entrust the management of the convenience store to a non-profit organization. »
“The convenience store had been there for 40 years,” he points out.
When its Montreal owners closed it last November, it was inconceivable for the 750 inhabitants of the village that there was no replacement.
“To go 15 km for a pint of milk is a long time when the baby is crying, illustrates the mayor. It is important to have a convenience store in our village. There are a lot of young families moving in. »
Other municipalities have saved their convenience store with a similar cooperative model, including Notre-Dame-de-Ham, Sainte-Marie-de-Blandford and Aston-Jonction. Conversely, other villages have lost their only local business, including Franquelin and Gallix, on the North Shore.
A convenience store helps out, but it’s also an important meeting place. It is important in a village like ours.
Jocelyn Bédard, Mayor of Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes
From mother to son
At the Waterville convenience store, located a 30-minute drive from Saint-Herménégilde, young owner Kevin Tardif is relieved to no longer be the only convenience store in his municipality, which has several factories.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Kevin Tardif, 23, owns the Waterville convenience store.
In 2017, when the Morin Market closed, the Waterville convenience store was the only local store with food. Since then, another small grocery store has opened its doors. “The village was too big to have just one convenience store. »
At the time, it was his mother, Erin Smith, who owned the Waterville convenience store. She recently sold it to her son, back in the Eastern Townships after playing hockey in Ontario at the Junior A level.
I really like that. Especially the customer service. There is always a problem to solve, so every day is different.
Kevin Tardif, owner of the Waterville convenience store
When we arrived, the tall young man, who is only 23, was lugging bags of fries as a delivery man stamped his foot in front of the convenience store’s small restaurant, which has pizza, poutine and club sandwiches. on its menu. “The poutine is known to the representatives who pass by in the area! points out Kevin. For a small restaurant like that, we have a hard time supplying. It rolls, it’s terrible! »
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
The Waterville convenience store snack bar is struggling to meet demand.
Last year, Kevin and his mother made a big decision: to become a franchisee with Boni-Soir. “This lightens certain tasks, in particular for checkouts and prizes. »
Still, you have to be hardworking to have a convenience store. Especially with the labor shortage. At the Waterville convenience store, there are at least five employees short, so Kevin works every day.
” How many hours per week ?
– I do not count ! Seeing my mother working hard was an example for me,” he says.
For the anecdote, his mother already kicked Kevin out when he was a teenager!
“I’m proud,” she says today. The convenience store had been for sale for a year when Kevin decided to buy it. It was brave, in the midst of a pandemic. But I tell myself that it started in the worst and that it can only get better. »
Convenience stores and the Chinese
In Montreal, as everywhere in the province, many convenience stores are owned by Quebecers of Chinese origin. In 2018, filmmaker Isabelle de Blois devoted the documentary The Chinese help out to the phenomenon.
She exposes the fact that many owners of convenience stores of Chinese origin have non-recognized diplomas and that they do not speak French. Having a convenience store brings them possibilities and freedom. However, this requires long weeks of work. “Immigrants come here to work and to earn a living. We are ready for that, ”says Dong Mei Guo, who left Montreal with her husband to buy a convenience store in Quebec in 2004, because it was too expensive in the 514.
This life change aroused the interest of those around her so much that she decided to take the course to become a real estate broker. Since then, it has specialized in the sale of convenience stores outside Montreal to Quebecers of Chinese origin. In 15 years, she has concluded dozens of sales, from Drummondville to Chicoutimi via Rivière-du-Loup.
His last real estate transaction? “Notarized January 19,” she says. “When I arrived here, I spoke zero French. Today, I earn my living in French,” she says proudly.
Convenience Store Confidences
PHOTO PROVIDED BY MARYSE GAGNON
Maryse Gagnon, co-owner of the Métabetchouan convenience store and blogger
The moods of a convenience store is the title of the Facebook blog written by Maryse Gagnon, co-owner of the Métabetchouan convenience store, located on the shores of Lac Saint-Jean.
On Christmas Day, December 25, Maryse Gagnon wrote:
“I love the fact that our work offers so much closeness. […] I love being able to stop a bit longer and open a brief discussion, sometimes the only one of their day. […] I love stopping my gaze in that of the other and transmitting an understanding smile […]. COVID-19 restrictions have not taken away these privileges, they have enhanced them. »
In addition to her blog, Maryse Gagnon regularly feeds the Facebook page of her convenience store, which she and her husband bought 14 years ago. She uploads videos including beer chronicles, raffle launches and daily specials presentations from her hugely successful ready-to-eat service.
Maryse Gagnon est une grande amatrice de bières de microbrasserie. « C’est mon petit péché. Surtout la bière noire », précise-t-elle.
Elle donne une belle vitrine aux microbrasseurs québécois depuis 14 ans, ce qui est devenu la marque de commerce de nombreux dépanneurs depuis.
Je le faisais car je suis passionnée, mais j’ai vu ma clientèle changer ses habitudes. […] There are so many good beers being made everywhere in Quebec.
Maryse Gagnon, co-owner of the Métabetchouan convenience store and blogger
In the heart of the village and in that of the people
In the basement of the Métabetchouan convenience store, there is a shop with toys, sporting goods and electronic products. “My goal is to meet customer needs. You’re out of guitar strings, don’t take a trip to Alma and come to us! says Maryse Gagnon.
“I have several clients who come several times a day. For some, we’re the only ones they have a conversation with all day. I insist on this a lot with new employees: it’s important to learn the names of the customers and to take the time to chat. »
The convenience store is a bit like the new steps of the church.
Maryse Gagnon, co-owner of the Métabetchouan convenience store and blogger
The Métabetchouan convenience store is very close to the lake. “We are two minutes from the beach, opposite the church. There is a seniors’ residence a few steps from the convenience store. Residents take a walk and come to do their small errands. During the first confinement, we made special deliveries. Dishes for people who had no family,” says Maryse.
Over the past year, Maryse Gagnon has experienced many bereavements following the death of loyal clients. She has also published a text entitled “The Paradise Bus”. “A few times a year, the bus from paradise passes through our community carrying with it many beautiful souls. […] Each time it upsets me,” she wrote.
Her computer is always open when she is at the convenience store. She writes her columns under the influence of inspiration. Maryse Gagnon has Métabetchouan at heart, and her convenience store is certainly at the heart. “I was born here and I should die here,” she says.