A month has passed since Saveurs — Épicerie urbaine opened its doors in Old Hull, but customers say they are enjoying shopping in the neighbourhood’s first grocery store since 1999.
Federico Arellano says the store has quickly become his “go-to place now.”
“This is my third time at the store,” he says. “I think the products are nice. They’re fresh and of good quality.”
Arellano, who has been living in Old Hull for more than two years, said he’s happy just to be able to walk to get his groceries.
“I don’t own a car,” said Arellano. “Having no grocery stores to get my groceries from, it was just a nightmare, so having this store is super useful.”
Dany Plante, founder of Saveurs, says the new store is a long-awaited addition to Old Hull.
“We really want to be a neighbourhood grocery store that people can rely on,” said Plante. Though Saveurs has only been open since Sept. 12, it’s quickly become a reliable grocery store for residents.
Plante says one of the primary reasons for the lengthy absence of businesses in the area is because the town is dominated by large federal buildings. Many have forgotten that there is life in the neighbourhood.
The COVID-19 pandemic made matters worse as it led to the closures of restaurants and bars in Old Hull, explained Plante.
“When the restaurants and bars began closing down, many people left,” said Plante. “COVID-19 … demolished everything, but now there is a resurgence of the neighbourhood lifestyle, and people want a local life where they can do all their daily activities in close proximity.”
Cheikh Kebe moved in just over a year ago and has visited the store “a few times” since it opened. He says he is pleased with his shopping experiences thus far.
“It’s an advantage for me because I live in the building beside, so I don’t need to travel far to do my groceries anymore,” said Kebe. “I think it’s a great addition to the neighbourhood because it’s the first time we have a grocery store like this in a long time, so it will allow people to do their groceries without having to commute very far.”
Arellano said he finds the store affordable, but says he would still like to have a store close by that sells other kinds of household items such as batteries and body soap.
He hopes that the store’s inventory will expand to carry more household items.
“Being the only grocery store in Hull, it’s a little challenging,” says Arellano. “Their focus is primarily food, so I still end up going to the bigger superstores anyway to get all the other products that I need. However, it’s good that I don’t have to go as often.”
Plante says the store’s three priorities are variety, reliability and affordability. He says the business will continue to adapt to fulfill these goals.
“Every day we are taking in feedback, like the selection of products for instance,” he said, noting a strong demand for gluten-free and dairy-free items as examples.
Plante hopes that Saveurs will be just one of many new culinary additions to Old Hull. He explained that he’s spoken to the people at Vision Centre-ville Gatineau, who have a city-funded development plan for the area which aims to encourage restaurateurs to come to the neighbourhood.
“So, we are really going from one extreme to the other, and I think in about five years, this will be the place,” said Plante.
Plante says he believes that residents of Old Hull should see the neighbourhood blossoming again over the next year.
“I want there to be a lifestyle that people can enjoy, and that everyone can find a happy medium,” said Plante. “I think the history of Hull needs to be treasured,” said Arellano. “The only way to do that is to create a strong local community and a strong local market, so that new places can develop.”
