The Chez La Patou grocery store in Épeugney closes permanently at Christmas, due to lack of profitability and customers. A symbolic closure for this local business.
The closure of the Chez La patou grocery store in Épeugney: A story of economic challenges
In Épeugney, Thierry announces with sadness the definitive closure of the Chez La patou grocery storea place that was once friendly but has become unprofitable. From Christmas, this hybrid business, combining café, grocery store and bread store, will disappear, leaving a void in the daily lives of residents. A place of conviviality but insufficient profitability
The Chez La Patou grocery storein place for several years, had established itself as a real meeting point for residents. The initial objective was to offer a troubleshooting and user-friendly service, in particular by selling essential products. However, despite a warm atmosphere and appreciated service, the business has not managed to generate enough income to cover its expenses. The owner emphasizes that the margin generated by the sale of products was too low to ensure the sustainability of the project.
Unsuccessful diversification attempts
To attract more customers, Thierry considered adding a restaurant space, but this proved impossible due to the technical constraints of the premises. Indeed, setting up a kitchen that complied with health standards required significant investments and sufficient staff, which was not feasible. He also mentions the lack of customers as the main factor in this closure. According to him, a business of this type would need a much greater flow of customers to survive. However, even if this flow doubled, it would mean a doubling of the workload, a situation difficult to manage without reinforcement.
The failure to find solutions
Despite efforts to find a buyer or consider associative management, no solution could be found. La Patou, however, remains optimistic and compares the situation to that of a cat which always lands on its feet, ready to bounce back towards new projects. This closure symbolizes the economic challenges facing many local businessesdespite the desire of entrepreneurs to maintain social ties in small communities.
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