Les Malins Café-Boutique | New haunt for families

It’s not just a cafe, nor a bookstore. But all of this at the same time. Fireplace, living room, and slide included.

Silvia galipeau
Press

Welcome to the brand new Les Malins café-boutique, from the eponymous publishing house, a hybrid and unusual concept, which has just opened its doors at the beginning of the month, in the east of the Plateau Mont-Royal.

During our visit last week, it was already teeming with life, readers and (young) sliders, a little Wednesday afternoon. This is to say if the offer meets a demand, here in the neighborhood.

“It was important for me to serve my neighborhood”, repeats Marc-André Audet, founder of the publishing house and creator of this project “designed for adults, but thought out for children”, as it is. pleases to summarize.

It must be said that the team has gone to great lengths to promote the opening. For months, the storefront of the Avenue du Mont-Royal store (which once displayed pagers, telling you if the place was dated), has been piquing the curiosity of passers-by. A colorful poster plastered on the storefront first suggested some thirty “misconceptions” of what would replace this address from another era:

Then, towards the end of the summer, a new poster (always so colorful) was installed, finally revealing the true nature of the place: a family-friendly café bistro for all, with a Les Malins boutique (the very first) and as a bonus. a “playful floor” for young people (around 6 years old and over), devoted to reading and creation. With books galore.

Clearly, on the ground floor, there is now a fully-fledged café (with a chic metal ceiling, with church pews, but also comfortable reading chairs), a selection of a few gourmet dishes ( designed by Juliette Léger-Dupras, of Montreal Plaza) of charcuterie, burrata and croque-monsieur type. Without forgetting the soft croissants from Croissant Croissant, a charming neighboring address. And, of note, a nice selection of privately imported wines.

At the back is the Les Malins boutique, with the full inventory of the publishing house, from Bine to Pharmachien, including all Léa Olivier, Zoélie and other Fanny Cloutiers. Without forgetting the foyer area, literary café style.

Literary slide

This is where the high point of the project lies. To bring the children from the café to the famous “fun” basement, a slide has been installed. “I said to myself: who is going to send their children to the basement? relates Marc-André Audet. But who can resist a slide? Better: which resists a slide, leading to a level filled with cushions, sofas (signed Coconut, a local brand, modular at will for fun), a hanging net, an arcade game (retro) and especially all the Malins’ books offered for reading on site? You read that correctly: the entire collection (more than 200 titles) is offered here, at your fingertips and to share. “And it makes me so happy to see young people reading my books!” », Rejoices the editor.

Clarification: we suggest that children under 6 be accompanied. A screen also allows parents to distractedly keep an eye on their young while sipping their latte or chardonnay.

And obviously, the idea is attractive. “It was my little one who brought me here, she’s tripping over Les Malins,” commented David Prenoveau, sipping a kombucha last Wednesday afternoon, while his 11-year-old daughter was reading downstairs. “Usually, I work at this hour, but I think we’ll come back, honestly, I love the concept. […] It’s very cozy, the choice of food is interesting, and I can bring my sweet! ”

“It was an expected trade. It brings a lot of life to the neighborhood. There are already, but there is never enough, added Hélène de Blois, seated with a friend and their children. A cafe that opens in December feels good. Even more in a pandemic! ”

Other good addresses to discover

The Path

Opened last summer in Sainte-Adèle, in what was once a small village school, Le Sentier is a bookstore devoted to children’s literature. All titles have been carefully chosen, giving priority to Quebec authors. There are novelties, a comic book corner, first readings, in addition to space for teenagers and adults. Please note: every Friday, a speech therapist leads reading activities and workshops for 0-5 year olds.

The landmark

A pioneer in Quebec in the youth world, the Granby children’s bookstore had to get a facelift, following an unfortunate disaster that occurred last winter. Last June, the bookstore was reborn from its ashes, opposite its original address, rue Principale. The premises, now larger, now have a back store, and already more than 10,000 titles, almost exclusively (90%) for 0-17 year olds.

The perched fox

This charming neighborhood bookstore opened in March 2021, in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. It is tastefully decorated (by a playful cabinetmaker) and you quickly feel at home. And that is the goal: to offer a “den” where the book (children) is featured, without however leaving adults in the dark (several novelties chosen for adults as well). Free activities every week (story time, talks, launches).