Our journalist travels around Greater Montreal to talk about people, events or places that make the heart of their neighborhood beat.
Posted at 8:30 a.m.
“Do you live nearby?”
“I live in Sept-Îles,” replies the customer who has come to stock up on marigold, a plant with healing properties, to make ointment, before giving us the recipe for the famous Swedish elixir, which contributes to digestive comfort. “Gold in bars,” she said.
Herboristerie Desjardins, in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, has a loyal clientele who often come from far away to stock up on herbs and herbal teas. Opened in 1930 at 3303, rue Sainte-Catherine Est, it is one of the oldest businesses in Montreal.
Since December, new owners have taken over from Éric Ledoux, great-grandson of Joseph Desjardins, the one who founded the herbalist that bears his family name. Joseph, whom everyone nicknamed “cushion”, first passed on his love of Laurentian flora and its healing virtues to Renée Bleau-Desjardins, the wife of his son Lionel.
Renée Bleau-Desjardins was a pioneer in the field of medicinal plants in Quebec. When he died in 1998, his grandson Éric took over the herbalism business. But at 60, he was ready to join his wife in retirement and enjoy his new role as grandfather. “It was getting a second wind,” says the man who is happy to have found buyers who want to keep the family business open.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY HERBORISTERIE DESJARDINS
Opened in 1930, Herboristerie Desjardins is one of the oldest businesses in Montreal.
Who are the new owners? Maxime Tardif and Stéphanie Simpson, who work in real estate and who live with their three children on Darling Street, 50 meters from the business. Maxime’s brother was a customer of Herboristerie Desjardins, while Stéphanie Simpson took a liking to taking over businesses in the neighborhood with a grocery store on Ontario Street which became Le Magasin Général d’Hochlag.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
The couple who are new owners of Herboristerie Desjardins: Stéphanie Simpson and Maxime Tardif. They got to know each other in the neighborhood.
Just like her lover, Stéphanie Simpson is well known in Quebec in the world of ultramarathons. The Press has already spoken about the exploits of the woman who completed the Big Wolf’s Backyard Ultra last summer, 315 kilometers in less than 48 hours!
Unlike Maxime, who remains rather in the shadows at the herbalist, Stéphanie works on the floor. She can count on the valuable knowledge of the employees and she often calls the former owner Eric for help, she emphasizes. “I’m learning lots of things. »
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Herboristerie Desjardins has a charming storefront from another era.
Stéphanie feels that she has a responsibility to perpetuate a Montreal institution that has existed for 95 years.
I want to reassure customers that things are business as usual. We listen to what they want.
Stéphanie Simpson, co-owner of Herboristerie Desjardins
“People who come here know the place. They tell us that they came here with their grandmother,” adds Maxime, charmed by the customers’ knowledge.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
-Pockets of herbs and spices of all kinds are stored in the basement.
Places full of history
By purchasing Herboristerie Desjardins, Stéphanie and Maxime also became owners of the apartment upstairs and the century-old house annexed to the business. The places are full of history.
In the back room, there are rows of wooden filing cabinets with drawers. In the basement, pockets of herbs of all kinds are stored and vaults remind us that we are in an old savings bank. And all over the walls are hand-written herbal tea recipes: to decongest the bronchi, soothe the nerves, facilitate digestion, etc.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Different homemade herbal tea blends
Reading the newspaper articles posted on the walls of the shop, Mme Desjardins had won many fans with his recipe for “Happiness Tea”, composed of chamomile, lime blossom, orange blossom, verbena and mint.
When you don’t know anything about it, herbalism is a fascinating world to discover. “Online orders come from all over Quebec,” says Stéphanie.
Among the most popular products are homemade blends of teas, herbal teas and capsules, but also products from baseball player Bert Robinson. Stéphanie has even just ordered her anti-aging cream with snail saliva. “We’ll try it,” she said.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
In small pots, the best ointments.
On site, you can obtain a guide written by the Desjardins-Ledoux family, but also the herbalists’ bible, Health at God’s Pharmacy by Maria Treben. The Sept-Îles customer quoted at the opening – who preferred not to reveal her name – highly recommended the book published in 1980.
“It’s a great place here,” she told employee Véronique Dupont. The latter reassured her by telling her that the change of owners will not modify the product offering.
Véronique has been in office for about a year.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Employee Véronique Dupont takes inventory.
I saw an ad for a job here. When I entered, I had an epiphany. There is a slightly magical atmosphere with the smells and the little bags everywhere.
Véronique Dupont, employee of Herboristerie Desjardins
“Having a storefront and seeing people come into your business, I love that,” enthuses Maxime, who grew up in a house separated from the family painting business by a simple door.
Stéphanie praises the gentle temperament of customers. “It’s beautiful to see how people are not in a hurry when they come here. »
Visit the Herboristerie Desjardins website
