Costco is eyeing the land for a sugar shack in Saint-Alphonse-de-Granby to build a new warehouse store in a region, that of Haute-Yamaska, which is not served by this American giant. A project that is part of the desire of the multinational to increase its presence in the province.
Motorists traveling on Highway 10 can see, at the intersection of Route 139, the large reception hall with orange roofs of La Grillade, a sugar shack established in Saint-Alphonse-de-Granby since the end of the 1990s. 1970.
It is this site that the company covets to build a new establishment. The multinational has taken steps with the municipal authorities of the region to obtain the necessary guidelines that could lead to the construction of a possible Costco in this village of 3000 souls, can we read in the register of lobbyists.
If the project goes ahead, real estate developer Montoni, who has already built the Costco eyewear center in Boisbriand, could oversee the work. The Laval company has also taken similar steps with the municipality and the MRC de la Haute-Yamaska.
Like Costco, it wants to obtain a building permit and receive authorizations to extend the sewer and aqueduct network to the site which could accommodate a large area.
Representatives of the real estate broker Intercom, which represents Costco and Montoni, confirm the steps, but say they are for the moment “in exploratory mode”.
No transaction has yet been concluded, but a representative of the brand has approached La Grillade in recent weeks. “If the offer is good, I’m not closed to selling, but there are other people who are interested,” says Pierre Gingras, owner of the establishment. The location of the site, located a stone’s throw from Highway 10, arouses interest, especially since it is not in an agricultural zone.
The sugar shack, which had about 3,500 maple trees tapped during the 1980s and 1990s, has been surrounded by businesses and an industrial park over the years. So much so that she stopped making maple trees flow. “Now, the ‘sugar shack’ vocation represents eight weekends a year,” summarizes Mr. Gingras. The rest of the year, the building serves as a reception and performance hall.
Growth in Canada
Each year, Costco continues to expand its business in Canada. There are now 105 establishments in the country, including 22 in Quebec, compared to 60 and 14 respectively 20 years ago, according to the company’s annual reports.
After setting up shop in the province’s major urban centers — Montreal, Sherbrooke, Quebec City and Trois-Rivières — the company, which has its head office in Washington State, seems to be betting on development on the outskirts of major centers.
Warehouse stores would be planned in Rouyn-Noranda and Rimouski, according to articles published in recent months by Radio-Canada. A survey by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Rouyn-Noranda, released in March, indicated that a majority of residents of the city would be in favor of the establishment of such a store.