Retailer Spotlight

A social nerve centre in the heart of his hometown: That’s how Jules Forget sees the food and convenience store that bears his name in Mont-Laurier, a forestry town and outdoors tourism destination in Quebec’s Upper Laurentians region, a three-hour drive northwest of Montreal “It’s a real meeting place in the downtown core,” says Forget, owner of Dépanneur Jules, a Boni-Soir-affiliated business that carries everything from c-store standards like lottery tickets and tobacco to charcuterie, prepared foods and beer.

Montreal dépanneur owner Clermont Cloutier believes in the power of a smile.

Commuters making the daily trek to Toronto from communities as far away as Barrie, 113 km north of Canada’s largest city, can count on two things when they pull in to Alcona Esso Gas and Variety: a steaming cup of coffee and a beaming smile.  Alcona Esso is located about 103 km north of Toronto in Innisfil, a commuter town, and during peak drive times the store is a hub of activity.

Convenience operator finds niche with Quebec City’s African community  Quebec City convenience store owner Madeleine Zari-Doka comes by retail selling honestly.

Montreal dépanneur owners Penny Pattison Bernadette Houde were aspiring entrepreneurs looking for a small business they could buy and run together. Together, they created a thriving business.

 Brenda and Trevor Tobin prefers the path less travelled.

A three-pronged approach to success – staff, customers, community     For more than three decades, Hollywood Market in Kelowna has welcomed customers through its doors in the heart of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

NingNing Xuan imagined herself working in big business when she first came to Canada from China to study commerce in 2001.