Steve St. Louis, owner of Café Cité, said he always believed it was possible to reconcile the commercial and social endeavors. With a background in business and extensive experience as a social worker, he wanted to apply this conviction when he opened his business. “Since the beginning, one of the objectives of the café was to make a difference in its neighbourhood,” he said.
He and his wife, Eugénie Morin, hope to turn the little bistro on Gouin into a meeting place for the “two Cartiervilles”: the families that are well-off and those that are less fortunate.
As a member of the integrated urban revitalization (IUR) project of Cartierville, St. Louis represents the business world. Launched last June, the IUR’s objective is to create a socio-economic revival in the sector bordered by Gouin Boulevard, Laurentien Boulevard, Grenet Street, and de Salaberry Street, and improve the general quality of life for the people that live and work in the area.
According to St. Louis, there can be no revitalization without the implication of local businesses. “The question is – and we never ask it – what can the community do for the business world so that it can continue to help the community?” he asked. One answer, he said, is promoting local shopping.
St. Louis believes the business world’s work in Cartierville begins on Gouin. Beautifying measures and other commercial initiatives are already underway. “The success of the Gouin revitalization will give us credibility when we start doing the same on Laurentien,” he said.
He hopes to also see a micro-economy develop on his street, which he believes would really get community life stated. A number of ideas are already being tossed around, including a advertisement campaign for the local businesses involving graffiti artists from the neighbourhood. “We have to develop a sense of belonging in Cartierville, and the businesses can contribute to that,” he said.
In order to unite participation in the business sector, St. Louis started the Cartierville Merchants’ Association to “give structure to the activities in our area.” This week, the association was officially founded with three main goals in mind: promote economic development and improve the social fabric of Cartierville; develop a community life that is inclusive; and help with the start-up and resilience of immigrant-owned businesses. This last objective is supported by provincial government funding. For St. Louis, supporting immigrant entrepreneurs is crucial. “Recent immigrants come without knowing the resources that they have at their disposal to start in business. That’s where we can help them,” he said. For the time being, four businesses are part of the association: the Superclub Vidéotron, Ménagez-vous, a fruit store on Ranger Street, and Café Cité. Regulars on the board include René Tremblay from La Corbeille, and Dr. Robert Laurin, who is honourary president. Marc Picard, who is in charge of economic development for the borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, provides support and advices to the merchants’ association. St. Louis hopes other partners, especially financial institutions and real estate agencies, will join as well. Translated by Elyse Amend
