The Archambault Group announced last January the closure of its branch at the corner of Sainte-Catherine and Berri streets, effective next month. As shocking as it is, it is not this announcement that is the most disturbing, but the almost indifferent resignation on the part of our elected representatives in the face of what must be considered as a further step in the “hole of donut” from which several large cities are already suffering, including certain neighborhoods of Montreal. We tried to blame it on other governments, and even on Roxham Road, according to a logic that escapes me. But no practical suggestions were offered and no attempt was made to not only reverse this decision, but also to reverse the decline of the downtown area that is the cause of it.
It is a heritage site that has been in place for 93 years. It would have been worth offering a grant to the group to encourage them to stay active while the neighborhood revitalization measures are carried out. These measures could include, for example, the distribution of hostels for itinerant people across the municipal territory to avoid the creation of a ghetto, increased security in metro stations and in the neighborhood and the promotion of conditions favorable to family activities. After the closure, in particular, of the Saint-Sulpice and now of the Archambault boutique, will we see longer the quiet resignation of the municipal administration in the face of this decline?
To see in video