“In a café, you can do anything”

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“Help yourself, I’ll put it on your account!” » Perched on her stepladder, Cécile Capitaine installs her Christmas decorations on the terrace of her business, while Richard, a loyal customer, comes out, newspaper and bread under his arm. In this grocery store, right in the town of Cheix-en-Retz (Loire-Atlantique)confidence reigns. In any case, this is the spirit that the manager wanted to instill in her “Captaincy”.

Karaoke, blind tests and pie contests

We come there as neighbors, as friends, to help out with a bottle or a packet of pasta. To drink a coffee, drop off a parcel or withdraw money. Since she took over the business in April 2023, Cécile Capitaine has been able to develop a whole host of necessary services. And more.

The manager has even set up a free-price thrift store and, every month, she hosts concerts, open stages, and organizes events, such as karaoke, blind tests or a pâté en croute competition…

The place lends itself to it. In a café, you can do anything! »

Cécile sees her business as an accelerator of social life.

“Here, you can come alone, you meet people”

“Here, you can come alone, you meet people,” assures Audrey, a loyal customer. And it’s not Nicolas who will say the opposite: “This place has given me a lot. I was a little shy at first, but quickly felt comfortable. Cécile always has a smile, she helped me meet people. Today I say hello to everyone! It’s really important to have a place like this that brings the community to life. It makes you want to get involved. »

“You go back, you know everyone”

Same story with Aurélie, who came to drink a coffee before returning to her flock: “Here, the atmosphere is friendly, there is a family spirit. You go back, you know everyone. Cécile wants to unite people. » The goat and sheep breeder is well placed to say this. In March 2024, the Harbor Master's Office organized a support evening, after the flooding caused by the storm at the end of 2023 leading to the drowning of its livestock.

“When you give, you receive!”

“We are nothing without others. That’s good, we’re full! » This is the leitmotif of Cécile Capitaine, who has been a host for a long time.

When you give, you receive! I see myself more as a project facilitator, a coordinator of ideas. If someone wants to do something, like organize karaoke or improv workshops, I help them take action. I have a big network and I know people's skills. Just connect them! »

Born in the United States

Cécile already had this taste for others and for the collective in Le Pellerin, when she opened her organic grocery store, Petite Vrac. Christmas market, collection for Ukrainians… The manager did not hesitate to organize events.

But at Cheix-en-Retzthe project takes on a new meaning, since maintaining this local business is a municipal desire. Moreover, the future Harbor Master's Office is currently being built, just opposite. The new business, which will open in September 2025, will offer the manager new possibilities. Maybe catering? Cécile doesn't know yet.

And yet, she was raised in this environment. “My parents ran several restaurants. The first, La Chaudière, was located in the United States, in North Carolina. That’s where I was born. We returned when I was 4 years old and we settled near La Rochelle, with a new restaurant La porte verte, where I grew up with my brothers and sister. I remember that even back then, I went to collect shells on the beach, which I sold in front of my parents' restaurant. »

A family of filmmakers

A family focused on the world, who did not hesitate to cross the Atlantic to make their dreams come true: “My great-grandfather, Jacques Montéran, was a film producer and director in the United States. My grandfather was a cameraman in Hollywood. »

Go-getters, just like his mother, “my role model!” She is a warrior who reaches out to others. In addition to being a restaurateur, she is director of a Catholic relief organization. » A way of looking at life that the former rugby number 9 has not lost sight of: “You shouldn't be afraid of getting hit. We launch an idea, we trace it and the sauce always takes shape. »

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