VOL 2, NO 4, APRIL 2007
Message from the Executive Director
Dear members, These last few months of construction on Saint-Laurent have proven to be a great hardship for many of you. We must remember, though, that The City of Montreal is working with us to implement measures to improve safety, cleanliness and access to businesses. If these measures have not already come into effect, they will very soon. An information meeting is planned to take place shortly in order to present the second phase of the project, which gets underway in July 2007. In the meantime, we have to counter the negative effects the construction is having on business. We have to find effective ways to reach a clientele that is essential to the economic vitality of the street: the people who work for all the companies located on the territory of the Société de développement du boulevard Saint-Laurent (SDBSL) between Sherbrooke Street and Mont-Royal Avenue. By our estimates, some 7000 people work here. We have set ourselves the goal of collecting contact information for 2000 of them—people who would be interested in signing up online to enter contests, get notices of cultural events on the Main and get discounts from member businesses. In partnership with Onyris, a multimedia firm on the street, we are currently developing a special ID card for these 2000 individuals who will become the Main’s VIP customers. They will be invited to support business on the main, particularly during the construction period. As a member of the SDBSL, will you provide us with the names and email addresses of your employees so that we can let them know what the Main has to offer? Would you be willing to give special discounts to the VIP customers? To find out more, please telephone Alfonso Esparza, assistant for member services, at 514.286.0334. There is another way of helping businesses on Saint-Laurent through the construction period, and it has to do with parking. As you are no doubt aware, there are no more parking meters between Sherbrooke and Mont-Royal, and none will be installed until the work is completed. The parking spots that are available between the various work sites and outside construction hours should be reserved for the clients of members that depend on customer traffic on the street to do business. If you work on the Main, could you get here by public transit instead of by car? As an employer, could you encourage your employees to do so in order to leave the parking spots free? These simple measures will help support business on SaintLaurent. And don’t forget to tell your customers that the reserved residential parking zones on Saint-Dominique Street have been changed to allow non-residents to park for up to two hours. The good weather is on its way again and we will work with you to ensure that the excitement of spring is reflected in the business we do on Saint-Laurent. We are currently preparing several activities for May and working on the logistics for our June events. We will keep you informed of any new developments. If you have questions, suggestions or comments, feel free to call our office. Our team will be more than happy to serve you. Finally, I’d like to express my thanks once more to all the members who attended the Annual General Meeting on March 27. Sandra Fénelon Executive Director
Newsletter Vol. 2, No. 4, April 2007 Message from the Executive Director A coeur ouvert : Construction Info Main News Licari Design Lola & Emily Teesri Duniya Theatre Les Bobards Upstairs News Cabana Sol Soft Image Maude Arsenault Photographe Théâtre de Quat’Sous presents Chasseurs Plein Milieu Nostalgie et tristesse : Mémoires littéraires du Montréal Yiddish Grand Prix on the Main/Main Madness Energetic people wanted! Summertime terraces project Recycling committee for a Flashback Calendar of events 1 1 2
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3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4
“greener” boulevard
Many merchants have complained of a lack of information on the construction project. Consequently, in addition to making the Construction Info newsletter and the site map available online, as they have been since the beginning of the project, from now on, copies will be distributed directly to merchants by a City of Montreal project technician. The technician will also meet with each merchant individually on a regular basis in order to improve the
channels of communication with the City, the sitemanagement firm, and the contractors. Feel free to contact the construction-site office coordinator, at any time at 514.247.6326. The office is located at 4238 SaintLaurent Boulevard, suite 201. Remember, you can always access the latest version of the electronic newsletter on the Saint-Laurent construction project at the following Web site:
ville.montreal.qc.ca/boulevardsaintlaurent/bulletin
4398 Saint-Laurent Boulevard suite 309, Montréal, Québec, H2W 1Z5 - Phone: 514.286.0334 - Fax: . 514.286.0967 - info@boulevardsaintlaurent.com
MAIN NEWS
Licari Design
started out in the 1990’s as an importer of Indian furniture and has quickly grown into one of the largest importers in Canada. Stella Licari travels across India to find unique architectural elements that she transforms into the furniture that is on display in the company showroom on Saint-Laurent. Licari is constantly innovating, creating new styles, combining antique and contemporary elements to produce a balance of comfort and design. 4441 Saint-Laurent Boulevard (514) 845-1259 www.licaridesign.com opened in August 2001. The idea behind the boutique is simple: to offer stylish women an alternative to the shopping experiences they’ve been used to. The Lola & Emily customer has a unique personal style, one that extends well beyond her interest in fashion. Lola & Emily offers women a high level of customer service; unique, outstanding merchandise; and a retail environment that will pique your curiosity and spark your imagination. 3475 Saint-Laurent Boulevard (514) 288-7598 www.lolaandemily.com was founded in 1981 and is dedicated to developing and producing socially and politically relevant plays that reflect the multicultural and multiracial makeup of the country. Teesri Duniya Theatre promotes interculturalism through theatre by developing theatrical styles based on the cultural experiences of visible minorities in Canada. 4324 Saint-Laurent Boulevard (514) 848-0238 http://www.teesriduniyatheatre.com located on the Main (corner Marie-Anne), attracts patrons of every cultural background and every walk of life. There are live stage shows every night, and djs spin for your dancing pleasure Thursday through Sunday. Les Bobards is also a great neighbourhood bar, so take advantage of the specials on drinks from 3:00pm to 8:00pm daily. 4328 Saint-Laurent Boulevard (514) 987-1174 www.lesbobards.qc.ca will carry you off to a land of eternal sunshine. In this tranquil setting, the only thing between you and a healthy glow is a pleasant moment of relaxation. The people behind Cabana Sol® travelled the world to find the ultimate tanning concept and offer you unsurpassed quality and comfort and a supreme sense of well-being. 4457 Saint-Laurent Boulevard (514) 313-6565 www.cabanasol.com was inspired by a vision of revolutionizing the world of multimedia, pushing the boundaries of imagination and creating viable solutions to make this vision a reality. And this legendary company is located on the Main, in the heart of Montreal. 3510 Saint Laurent Boulevard, Suite 400 (514) 845-1636 www.softimage.com was born and raised in Montreal, and studied communication and film before starting out as a fashion photographer at the age of 23. For two years she lived in Sydney, Australia, and fell in love with the lifestyle. Maude is now based in Montreal, where she is working on a portrait art project and shooting for her North American and European editorial and advertising clients. Her work has been published in Vogue, Nylon, SummerWinter, Karen, Mariage Quebec, Flare, and Madame Figaro. 4398 Saint-Laurent Boulevard, Suite 303 (514) 933-1790 www.maudearsenault.com
Lola & Emily
Teesri Duniya Theatre
Les Bobards
UPSTAIRS NEWS
Cabana Sol
Softimage
Maude Arsenault
-24398 Saint-Laurent Boulevard suite 309, Montréal, Québec, H2W 1Z5 - Phone: 514.286.0334 - Fax: . 514.286.0967 - info@boulevardsaintlaurent.com
Théâtre de Quat’Sous presents Chasseurs
Starting April 16, the Théâtre de Quat’Sous is presenting the play Chasseurs as part of its Paysages intérieurs season. The play is the result of a unique approach developed by Eric Jean: to construct a show based on improvisations in real locations. At the outset, the actors received only a few leads—an address, a search for a character, a costume element. Under the attentive eye of the author, the actors and designers unearthed the past of their poetic characters. For five days, they improvised stories in such inspiring locations as a movie theatre, an old industrial shed and a deserted field in the country. Author Pascal Brullemans then drew on these experiences to create the script. Chasseurs pushes even further the theatrical experimentation in stage design that Eric Jean started more than ten years ago. Through his approach, Jean explores how the characters evolve in the course of their search for identity. Theatre goers will also have an opportunity to view an exhibition of photographs by Guillaume Simoneau and Manon Cousin’s video captures of the exploratory work by the creative team. Chasseurs will give the public its last chance to attend a performance in the current premises of the Théâtre de Quat’Sous, an institution steeped in more than half a century of history. At the end of the current season the building will be demolished. It will give way to an ambitious worksite where a new theatre will rise in time for the autumn of 2008. Until then, the public is invited to follow the company during its next season as it performs in various playhouses in Montreal.
APRIL 16 to MAY 19, 2007 Tuesday–Saturday 8:00 pm Sunday April 29 and Sunday May 13 3:00 pm Box office 514.845.7277 quatsous.com
Plein Milieu
Plein Milieu is a community social-intervention organization. Since 1993, it has pursued its mission of improving the conditions and quality of life for young people. Interventions centre on street work in the Greater Plateau area, social work in Jeanne-Mance and Espace-Jeunesse high schools, and community action. They aim to create spaces that are available and accessible, spaces for listening, dialogue and action to foster the emergence and expression of people’s demands and the development and reinforcement of young people’s capacity to act and to construct their projects. Plein Milieu aims to promote the development of critical analysis, speaking and acting skills. Each street worker can be reached by cell phone. Community workers in the schools can be reached during school hours. Street work is geared towards youth and young adults aged 18 to 35 who live their life mainly on the street. Community work is available to all adolescents attending Jeanne-Mance and Espace-Jeunesse high schools but targets marginalized youth who are experiencing difficulties. To find out how to reach the workers, call 514-524-3661. Plein Milieu 4677 Saint-Denis (514) 524-3661 coordo@pleinmilieu.qc.ca
Nostalgie et tristesse : Mémoires littéraires du Montréal Yiddish
The Société de développement du boulevard Saint-Laurent gave a lucky winner a copy of the book Nostalgie et tristesse : Mémoires littéraires du Montréal Yiddish by Sholem Shtern, translated by Pierre Anctil (Éditions du Noroît, collection Chemins de traverse, 2007). This contest was open exclusively to all owners and employees of companies and stores located on the territory served by the SDBSL: Saint-Laurent Boulevard between Sherbrooke Street and Mont-Royal Avenue. The draw took place on April 5th 2007 and the lucky winner is : Steve Koltai from Cinema l’Amour! Congratulations!
-34398 Saint-Laurent Boulevard suite 309, Montréal, Québec, H2W 1Z5 - Phone: 514.286.0334 - Fax: . 514.286.0967 - info@boulevardsaintlaurent.com
Calendar of events
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Sylis d'Or of World Music 2007 18 free concerts, 36 groups, 18 countries, February 27th until April 25th 2007; every Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 8:30pm. Club Balattou 4372 Saint-Laurent Boulevard (514) 845-5447 Upcoming Events at Zeke's Gallery -Naledi Jackson's Right of Spring Exhibit continues until April 15,th Free -Sunday, April 15 With Words Anthology launch, 7:30 pm Free -Thursday, April 19 Pigeon Rallye Presents... Goreputer: The Movie, 7:30 pm Free -Thursday, April 26 Shawn Snyder, 7:30 pm $5 Zeke’s Gallery 3955 Saint-Laurent Boulevard 514.288.2233 Lesbians on Ecstasy : We Know You Know Montreal CD launch Friday the 13th, April 2007 At Club Lambi, 4465 St-Laurent Blvd $10 in advance /$12 at the door Tickets are available in advance at L’Oblique (4333 Rivard) and Cheap Thrills (2044 Metcalfe) Invitation to the grand opening of the new Studio Zodyo Thursday April 12th 2007 3863 Saint-Laurent Boulevard, suite 208 514.223.9156 info@zodyomusique.com
Grand Prix on the Main: June 7–9, 2007
The Main is putting on a dazzling show for Grand Prix 2007: a display of classic and remodelled cars all along SaintLaurent from Sherbrooke to Mont-Royal and a program including music, entertainment galore, terraces, and an outdoor dance floor! For more information, call us at (514) 286-0334.
Main Madness: June 14–17, 2007
A festival of sound, rhythm and flavours celebrating the cultural diversity of the Main and an epic street sale where you can save on deals from more than 300 merchants. A huge open-air market with terrasses, performers, worldbeat music, and much, much more...! Due to the ongoing construction, there will be no Main Madness in August this year.
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For more information, call Ariane Rondeau, SDBSL Event Coordinator at (514) 286-0334.
Energetic people wanted!
The Société de développement du boulevard Saint-Laurent is on the lookout for energetic volunteers to help us out with our events this summer, namely the Grand Prix on the Main from June 7th – 9th 2007 and for Main Madness, June 14th - June 17th 2007. Come live out a unique experience, meeting people and new discoveries, all the while having fun! If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for us this summer, please visit our website at www.boulevardsaintlaurent.com, complete the volunteer application form, and then contact us at (514) 286-0334,
Summertime terraces project on Saint-Laurent Boulevard
The challenges on the boulevard are numerous. To success in implementing efficient strategies, we need you! In response to needs expressed by members, this month, the SDBSL would like to present a proposal for summertime sidewalk terrasses to the Director of Public Works of the Plateau Mont-Royal borough. To get things rolling, the Société needs a committee of SDBSL members to develop solid proposals. If you’re interested in sitting on this committee, please contact us at our offices at 514.286.0334 and we will contact you shortly to participate in a meeting.
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Recycling committee for a “greener” boulevard
In 2006, we benefited from the services of Consortium Écho-Logique for the recuperation of all recycled materials generated during the two Main Madness events of last summer. In total, 234 kilograms of plastic, glass and aluminum as well as 1055 kilograms of paper & cardboard were picked up and recycled during events of last summer. A great victory for the environment! To adopt new recycling methods and to position the boulevard as “green” and environmentally responsible, please contact us at our offices at 514.286.0334 and we will contact you shortly to participate in a meeting.
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Flashback: You thought Saint-Laurent as a business district was a thing of the new?
A neighbourhood of artisans and skilled tradespeople, Boulevard Saint-Laurent was also, in the 19th century, the business district and middle class area. By 1846, the built-up area on the level land northwest of the city walls effectively ended at the Sherbrooke Street escarpment; beyond were a few cottages, farms and orchards. The fires of 1852, which destroyed a large part of the city, led to the gradual relocation of the middle class to the north part of Saint-Laurent, where the lots were bigger, the surroundings more pleasant and the danger of fire lesser. While two- and three-storey buildings were built on Saint-Laurent after the great fires, the mid-century appearance of much of the street remained semi-rural. Source: Parks Canada
Note to all members : In order for us to keep the Calendar of events section and our website up to date, we need your help. Send your press releases and information on your upcoming events to : info@boulevardsaintlaurent.com and we will gladly forward the news through our network of contacts.
Production team Editor : SDBSL Translation : Bernstein Delambre
Board of Directors Gordon Bernstein Emanuel Linhares President Vice-president Bernstein, Delambre Les comptables Joem Inc. Bruce Burnett Administrator Antrev Nathalie Gosselin Administrator Cabana Sol Jean Gauthier Treasurer Occident Paolo Oliveira Secretary Café Méliès
Color printing :
Bruno Ricciardi-Rigault Andrew Sniatowsky Administrator Administrator Laïka 2845-5293 Québec Inc
-44398 Saint-Laurent Boulevard suite 309, Montréal, Québec, H2W 1Z5 - Phone: 514.286.0334 - Fax: . 514.286.0967 - info@boulevardsaintlaurent.com