“Sometimes I came just to see, I didn’t buy anything. It felt good,” says Nicole Guimond, a loyal customer for 20 years.
Since the store opened in 2004, Ms. Guimond has wandered the aisles of the toy store in search of a little magic.
When she learned of Benjo’s closure, a wave of sadness hit her. “When you came back here, your child’s heart came back.”
Saturday morning, she felt the need to go to the store. “This morning, I said to myself: ‘we have to go, this might be the last day we can do it.’”
Another long-time customer, Francine Parent is saddened to see Benjo close its doors. For her, this departure means the end of a tradition. “I find it sad, I brought my children here, I brought my five grandchildren here, too.”
Every year, during the holiday season, Ms. Parent went to Benjo’s to find Christmas gifts for her family.
“It was magical, beyond imagination. It’s not a place like any other, and now it’s over.”
— Francine Parent, customer of the Benjo store
She is saddened to see the empty shelves and the magic disappearing little by little. “We see that this is really the end.”
Empty shelves
When passing the Soleil Saturday morning, several shelves were empty and many sections had been closed. A reality that “hurts my heart,” says client Nicole Guimond.
“There are still things to sell, we are still receiving a little merchandise, but it is certain that the shelves are coming a little bare,” agrees Valérie Hamel, director of Benjo.
She explains that, to make “shopping as pleasant as possible for customers”, the Benjo team had to redesign the store by closing certain sections. The department of sweets, dolls, science and the bookseller were among others condemned.
Since December 26, almost all items are 40% off, in-store and online. (Caroline Grégoire/Archives Le Soleil)
Despite the high traffic in recent days, Ms. Hamel expects a drop in the number of customers in the coming weeks. According to her, the end of January is likely to be quieter, as is the case every year.
Despite an imminent end, Benjo still wanted to celebrate his two decades on Saint-Joseph Street on November 16. Competitions, tastings and exclusive discounts were offered to passing customers.
The Pignon Bleu Christmas Gift Operation also took place at the Saint-Roch store on December 16. For the occasion, some 200 children got their hands on a present.
Wave of love
For director Valérie Hamel, the coming days and weeks promise to be difficult. However, she is delighted to be able to count on her entire team and the support of customers.
“It was extraordinary, the traffic was great, our loyal customers came to encourage us until the end,” she emphasizes.
“We received a great wave of love.”
— Valérie Hamel, director of the Benjo store
In recent days, she has been able to observe the attachment of customers who have been passing through the doors of the famous toy store for 20 years, both on Saint-Joseph Street and on Charest Boulevard Est. Many would have come just to congratulate her, thank her and wish her the best for the future.
With a heavy heart, Ms. Hamel did not wish to comment further on the situation.
