Away from the city center, surrounded by HLM buildings, the small Collettes shopping center is rather discreet. Here, there are no Christmas lights, special music or even red carpets…
Only a few fir trees stand on the small central square of the commercial space. If some say that the place “don’t look like anything”we could answer them that “the habit does not make the monk.”
Because the places are home to more than ten traders who have been involved – some even for more than twenty years – who bring this neighborhood to life every day. If new buildings are built, social diversity is often stigmatized.
“A little village in the city”
However, nothing is missing: bakery, butcher, pharmacy, hairdresser, beauty salon, doctors, newsagent, food store, etc., are available to customers: “Here, we have everything! We don’t come for nothing”exclaims Sarah, a 50-year-old mother, as she pays for her purchases at the convenience store checkout.
Will she win one of the baskets offered by this local grocery store during the holiday season (1)? Time will tell… “I come twice a week, but only for small errands”delivers the Dracénoise. “It’s a little village within a city!”
Another initiative, and not the least, which could well attract customers, a raffle allowing you to win a Louis d'Or worth 500 euros, offered by the Grains de Folie bakery. An original and significant approach, when many take care to limit expenses.
“People don’t know that there are businesses here. We’re a bit forgotten by everyone,” regrets Jean-Louis Marchand, the baker who took over the business last June. “Everyone contributes their stone to the building”, continues Ludovic Maillet, pastry chef at the store.
In order to help revitalize the place, the idea arose to offer a competition for the holidays: “Customers can participate by ordering pastries for December 24 and 31, for a minimum amount of 24 euros” (2), explains the professional.
And the choice is wide, among the logs and other traditional pastries that will be offered. “Whether it’s bread, pastries – a croissant with banana compote and spread among the new items – chocolate… Everything is homemade here!” welcomes the team.
“When the police come by, we like it”
A few meters away, Émilie Cancel's Diminutif hair salon is always full. Decoration, distribution of papillotes at the counter, staff in Christmas clothes, the welcome is festive. “I love this neighborhood, we have grandpas, young people from schools… Everything is mixed. We have a loyal family clientele”rejoices the president of the Collettes shopping center association, established since 2003.
Concerning insecurity, it is intended to be reassuring: “I have never encountered a problem here,” she assures us. “We would nevertheless like more pronounced interventions from the police and the town hall… When they come by, we like it!” smiles the manager.
1. By purchasing a 1 euro scratch ticket.
2. The draw will be held on January 2.
“People entrust us with their parties… It’s flattering”
In the shopping center butcher's shop, everyone is hard at work.
Behind the decorated window, in the catering section, a multitude of festive dishes catch the eye of customers.
Just like these quality meats and poultry – chicken, capons, guinea fowl – which will soon end up on the plates of local residents… But not only that!
“The order books are full! People are entrusting us with their holidays… And it's flattering. It's the most important time of the year, testifies Alan Welsch, 48 years old, butcher and delicatessen caterer by profession. We have people of all social classes and all ages. Some come from the other side of the city or move from surrounding villages. rejoices the manager of La Fanïs – in reference to the first names of his two daughters, Fanny and Naïs – located on Boulevard Marcel Pagnol, for the record.
Transmission and neighborhood in the making
Established in the neighborhood for twelve years, the one who manages a solid team – “there are five of us in total, it is important to me to pass on the profession” – says it stands in solidarity with its fellow traders, particularly with regard to the dynamics and security of the premises. Positive, the man notes that “the city is growing on this side.”
In the meantime, there is no time to lose. The caterer lists the dishes being prepared for the holidays: “We will have a soft capon with mushrooms, a traditional wild boar stew, or even a confit lamb shank.”
Something to delight more people. At your orders, without further delay!
