The Mayenne adventure of Dominique Ernoult and his family risks ending sooner than expected. Established since 2016 in La Bigottière, a village of 500 inhabitants, this trader opened the Epicerie du Coin, market research in support, thinking of providing services to the inhabitants of the town. It also offers food products and has a small bar. But the success is no longer there.
“The impression of having been cheated”
Already upon his arrival, Dominique Ernoult was quickly disillusioned. “It turned out that there is a medium-sized store which was doubling its sales area in Andouille. But no one told me, not even some elected officials here. We really feel like we’ve been ripped off“explains this Norman of origin. The mayor, Véronica Bignon, deputy at the time, assures that she knew nothing about it.Unfortunately, I didn’t know either. I don’t know if my predecessor heard about it__. It is sure that it is penalizing for his small business. Afterwards, what can we do against the big brands?” asks the chosen one.
The grocer has a few regular customers, about fifteen elderly people. But working people often work out of town and buy everything else and taking their car, regrets the shopkeeper. “The idea was really to troubleshoot. We don’t ask people to do their entire race either.“continues Dominique Ernoult.
“In principle, to set up a business, it takes about three years. After three years, with my wife, we thought that I could earn a salary of around €700. But no … and 700 euros is not a fabulous salary” observes the trader who plans to retire in a year and a half. “__Today, we should make 400€ per day except that we barely make 100€“he adds.
A burst of the inhabitants?
“People need to be aware of the danger. If they had played the game from the start with one or two euros a day, the project was quite viable. We are going to die very quickly and at the same time, that means that the elderly who come here will have to take their cars back__. But some older people who don’t have a vehicle. Very often, when a business closes, it is often at this moment that people realize that it was still important to have one.“breath, bitter, Dominique Ernoult.
The town hall helps the grocer by covering the rent, because the premises belong to him. The future of this trade is subject to discussion among elected officials but no solution is emerging for the moment.