Our journalist travels around Greater Montreal to talk about people, events or places that make the heart of their neighborhood beat.
Published at 7:00 a.m.
The Aquarium du Nord will leave the Plaza Saint-Hubert at Christmas after more than 75 years of loyal service. The pet store will perhaps live up to its name even better since it is moving to the northern crown, in Sainte-Thérèse.
For Vanessa St-Louis, who officially takes over from her father François at the head of the establishment with her partner Antonin Vézina, the move is emotional. After all, the Aquarium du Nord was considered the oldest pet institution still open to this day in Montreal.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Antonin Vézina and Vanessa St-Louis will own the Aquarium du Nord, in Sainte-Thérèse.
During our visit, customers were dismayed to learn that the family business will no longer be part of the landscape of the famous commercial artery of the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie district. “There are loyal customers that I have served for 15 years who are like family. We hug each other and cry,” confides Vanessa St-Louis.
“The Aquarium du Nord is going to the North. We must see it as a new beginning,” argues the woman who lives in Laval.
A little history
The Aquarium du Nord is recognized for its wide variety of freshwater tropical fish and aquatic plants, but also birds and reptiles from breeders (gecko, bearded dragon, corn snake).
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PHOTO FROM THE PLAZA SAINT-HUBERT SDC WEBSITE
The Plaza at dusk in the 1960s
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY VANESSA ST-LOUIS
Before the Northern Aquarium, there was a Chinese restaurant called China Star at its current location.
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PHOTO FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE CITY OF MONTRÉAL
The China Star, where the Aquarium du Nord is located today, in front of the large luminous rooster of the St-Hubert restaurant, which is still on the Plaza.
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The business has existed since 1947. When Vanessa's grandfather acquired the pet store in 1961, it was located a few doors from its current address. It was around twenty years later that Jérôme St-Louis had the opportunity to buy the building at 6366, rue Saint-Hubert.
“It was an old Chinese restaurant here,” says his granddaughter, who found photos from the time when the Plaza's many bright neon lights gave it the look of Las Vegas. The St-Hubert restaurant located just opposite – the very first in the chain – was adorned with an enormous rooster.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
François St-Louis will officially pass the torch of the Aquarium du Nord to his daughter Vanessa and Antonin Vézina.
François St-Louis says that his father was a jeweler on rue Saint-Hubert before buying the Aquarium du Nord. After being the victim of an armed robbery – which distressed his wife who suffered a miscarriage – he decided to sell pets instead of jewelry.
Angry traders
François St-Louis is one of the merchants who are upset about the pedestrianization of the Plaza during the summer season and the reduction in the number of parking spaces since the major renovation work.
He estimates that the Aquarium du Nord incurred losses of tens of thousands of dollars last summer and he would like Valérie Plante's administration to listen more closely to destination business owners.
Mr. St-Louis recalls that 61% of Plaza merchants recently voted against a return to pedestrianization after last summer's pilot project. They are still waiting for the district's decision for next year.
“You don't come and buy a bird in a cage on roller skates,” jokes François St-Louis, who recalls that independent pet stores like the Aquarium du Nord are becoming increasingly rare, to the benefit of the large chains or the online commerce. He recalls that the City of Montreal banned pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits in 2019.
What makes the Aquarium du Nord strong? The expertise of the employees, who cut claws and trim feathers or beaks. “We are renowned for our service and advice,” says Vanessa.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Vanessa St-Louis and Antonin Vézina
Not everyone can open a pet store overnight. “Managing living things takes a lot of experience,” says Vanessa, happy to be able to count on the help of Antonin, whom she considers her brother.
As a child, the fish lover spent all his savings at the Aquarium du Nord before being hired there at the age of 18. Later, he was a representative for a company that sells products for reptiles and he trained in water treatment, which is very useful for taking care of dozens of aquariums!
A new chapter at Sainte-Thérèse
The St-Louis family had an acquired right to sell certain animals specifically at the address of 6366, rue Saint-Hubert. It would have been very complex in terms of permits to move to a larger neighboring premises or elsewhere in Montreal. One thing is certain, his departure from the Plaza will leave a big void, as was the case when the Lozeau photo equipment store closed its doors in 2022 after 95 years of service.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
“Moving while alive”, as Vanessa St-Louis puts it so well, is not like moving the contents of a house, but she and her partner Antonin Vézina will do it themselves by renting trucks.
On the other hand, the move to Sainte-Thérèse will allow the Aquarium du Nord to bring back rabbits and cats, which will not be in cages, but in what is called a cattery. “The animals are going to be really good,” enthuses Antonin.
“We want wow,” adds Vanessa, who is preparing the arrival of sugar gliders, these little creatures that can hover in the shape of a cape.
The new store will open at the beginning of January at 11, boulevard Curé-Labelle, very close to highway 640 and highway 15, and will have… parking!
