The Benjo toy store, which was at the heart of the revival of the Saint-Roch district in Quebec, will permanently close its doors after the holiday season. Over the years, the business has attracted not only local families but also stars, including Céline Dion in 2008.
• Also read: This restaurant offering the best empanadas in Montreal forced to close due to construction
• Also read: This beloved festive bar suddenly closes its doors and we are in shock
The announcement, which comes as the store marks its 20th anniversary, was made to employees Thursday, November 14 in the morning.
Here is what we can read in the announcement post on social networks:
“After 20 years of adventures and touching encounters, Benjo announces with great emotion the upcoming closure of the small and large doors of his store on rue Saint-Joseph, in Nouvo Saint-Roch. But be careful, the story does not completely end. The emblematic frog will continue its mission of contributing to the development of youth in all spheres of life by continuing its philanthropic commitment. »
A few years ago, the company refocused its operations and sold the building occupied by Benjo to the Mach Group. The store was a tenant of the 25,000 square foot space.
Benjo wanted to bring the magic to children, while attracting young families to the rapidly reviving neighborhood. Twenty years later, the businesswoman can say mission accomplished. GM Développement was the first developer to believe in the potential of this downtown district, which still struggles today with problems of homelessness and drug use.
Photo Stevens LeBlanc/LE JOURNAL DE QUÉBEC
“Homelessness, honestly, that’s not what I find disturbing. What I find disturbing is the crime, the delinquency. This is what we need to work on together. Is homelessness one element among others? Maybe in a proportion, but it’s not the main element,” says the businesswoman who has not considered selling the store.
A store that attracted stars
Over the years, several celebrities have paraded at Benjo, Quebec’s FAO Schwarz. In 2008, Céline Dion spent part of the night there with René-Charles to have fun, which led René Angélil to say that it was “the most beautiful toy store in the world!”
Photo Benoit Gariepy/LE JOURNAL DE QUÉBEC
Nearly thirty people work at Benjo and they will be offered opportunities in other areas of the company.
Photo Benoit Gariepy/LE JOURNAL DE QUÉBEC
The store will remain open until January 31 and will honor gift cards until it closes. In the meantime, activities to mark the 20th anniversary will take place on Saturday.
Some stars who have visited Benjo over the years
- Celine Dion and René Angelil
- David Usher
- Ricardo
- Paul Piché
- Robert Lepage
- Pierre Lapointe
- Marie-Anick Lépine and Karl Tremblay, the Cowboys Fringants
- Louis Morissette and Véronique Cloutier
- Stéphane Rousseau
