Two weeks after the start of the first summer pedestrianization of Plaza St-Hubert, merchants have given the measure a mixed reception, which brings in its share of passers-by, but not necessarily more customers.
“Tamales, empanadas, come and try!” says Hugo Saldona, trying to attract the few passers-by to his small kiosk, set up in front of the Latina food fair on Plaza St-Hubert. “It’s starting well, there are more customers who see our business,” enthuses the owner of the Las Trajineras restaurant. Some days are quieter, however, he notes. That was the case Tuesday afternoon, when the Duty.
In front of his book and second-hand goods shop, an old man sleeps on a wooden chair. A woman pretends to be interested in men’s vests on a display before slipping one into her bag, without anyone paying the slightest attention. People on foot, on bikes, on scooters pass by the glittering ball gowns and the suitcase shops, the jewellers and a perfume shop. Others fight against the heavy humidity by taking a break in the parklets or on a terrace. A motley mix gathered under the sign of slowness.
“The fact that there are no cars is really good, the children can play,” says Bhagya Ramachandra, relaxing on a covered bench while his seven-year-old son plays near a hopscotch game painted on the ground.
“I live here. I think it’s really great, the freedom of movement,” says Sandy Perron. “But I don’t have a car, so I’m a little biased,” he adds, with a wry smile.
Lise Perreault, who makes a pilgrimage to the Plaza every time she visits Montreal, also appreciates the new “tranquility” of car-free places.
But not everyone agrees. Crossing the street slowly, leaning on her shopping cart that contains only her bag, Françoise Synette, who has lived in the neighborhood for 50 years and who says she is “known as Barabas in The Passion,” does not hide her disagreement with the pedestrianization of the street. “It’s stupid!” she says. “Cars are what keep us alive! And look, there. What’s that? Bikes, skateboards. That’s not what’s going to keep the merchants alive. I don’t like it. I preferred the usual.”
More passers-by, but fewer customers
On the traders’ side, the reception is rather mixed, we were able to note The duty. “For me, it’s not good, but it doesn’t matter, we have to think about the neighbors too. Terraces and cafes work better. And it’s still beautiful, what they did with the benches and everything,” says Steve Akoyan, owner of shop 1D Avenue Joseph Ribkoff, which sells evening wear, with a floor reserved for “high-end” dresses.
“My good customers don’t come because they can’t drive. But they’ll get used to it and understand that there’s parking not too far away and that they don’t have to come by subway.” To try to attract passersby, the businessman adapted his offer by displaying several items on sale for less than $100. “When you’re walking around, you’re not going to buy a $500 dress, you’re going to buy a little something for $50.”
He is not the only merchant to have lost some of his regular clientele since the ban on driving on St-Hubert Street between Bellechasse and Jean-Talon. “For us, who are a high-end boutique, pedestrianization is not good,” says Mario Mitri of Maison Mitri. “Our customers, they don’t like to walk. But we were just given a map that shows the location of nearby parking lots. That should really help.” That being said, he, too, remains a good sport. He appreciates the “artistic” installations on the street and acknowledges that “it’s good for marketing” to be seen by so many passersby.
At the La Fiesta Idéal boutique, which sells balloon wreaths and various accessories for parties and weddings, Karina Monchez notes that there are a lot of passersby, but few buyers. “The installations are very pretty, but that’s not what will get us more customers or more sales,” she sighs. Sales, she says, have dropped. “Our regular customers come from outside, by car. When you order a five-foot garland, it’s cumbersome, you don’t walk around with that on the subway or by bike,” she illustrates.
Mary Antoinette Abi Hanna, for her part, is seeing more traffic in her low-cost clothing store. “I like it, there are more customers,” she says. “Some are buying, some are just looking, but it’s positive.”
A helping hand for restaurateurs
At the neighborhood bar Le Vestiaire, server Samuel Pouliot is also pleased about the pedestrianization, which has “brought a lot of people,” particularly during the Plaza Pallooza event, which launched the street closure with a sale from July 4 to 7. “It helps a little, I think. We open earlier since the pedestrianization,” says the server while preparing the cutlery. “I’m not ready to say that it makes a huge difference, but I’ve noticed one anyway.”
A little further away, at La Cale – a zero waste pub, chef and co-owner Gabriel Monzerol says he also likes the experience. “We love the idea, we’ve been fans since the beginning,” he says. Manager Léa-Maude Labrecque notes a difference in the daytime clientele, especially. “In the evening, it’s mostly regulars, but during the day, the clientele is more diverse. There’s more traffic and more tourists.”
In the offices of the Commercial Development Corporation of Plaza St-Hubert, the president, Mike Parente, believes that it is a little early to make a balance sheet, but assures that the experience is positive.
“So far, it’s going well,” he rejoices. “But it’s certain that the subject of pedestrianization can be a polarizing subject. We have merchants who are excited and very satisfied. We have those who are less happy, who say that it doesn’t bring anything. And we have those who are not happy, but who say, nevertheless, that we did an excellent job because the street is super beautiful,” he summarizes.
He is able to see the positions of everyone every time he leaves his office to walk on the Plaza. “In a day, I can be told to walk often, as I can be congratulated very, very often. It depends on the mood,” he concludes with a laugh.