The owner of a haberdashery in Lanaudière who used to open the doors of his business on Sundays for the prom period has stopped this practice due to the pandemic.
André Pauzé, owner of the Roger Pauzé family haberdashery, located in downtown Joliette, opened his store on Sundays in March, April, May and during the first three weeks of June until Father’s Day to accommodate students, so that they can buy their dress for their ball.
“It’s a strong time of year for us, but the pandemic has changed my view of the business,” Mr. Pauzé told us when we met him at his men’s clothing business, which has been around since 1965. Mr. Pauzé took over from his father in 1991.
“The pandemic makes you think, we had to monitor even more what we were already monitoring, he added, referring to the wearing of a mask and the washing of hands, in addition to the clothes tried on by customers that he then had to quarantine. It’s also a matter of taking care of your mind.”
André Pauzé, who has five people in his employ, also had to readjust his purchases during the pandemic. “The jackets, we no longer sold them because there were no more weddings, proms, funerals, conventions, etc., he added. For all these reasons, we decided that Sunday is over, I have no intention of going back.
The businessman says he received a lot of positive feedback from his customers following this decision to close on Sundays.
“People tell us that it is good to do that, that in any case they are used to their home,” he added.
However, he wants to be very accommodating. “If they call me on Sunday to make an appointment, I will travel to be there,” he assured.
That said, Mr. Pauzé told us that he still plans to be open on Sundays in December, for the holiday season.