Bolstered by his experience in the natural products sector and in big food chains, Philippe Gaston opened his own independent grocery store with his colleague Dany Marin. At Marché de la Terre, they aim to best meet the needs of customers in the neighbourhood, but also to firmly anchor their roots in the community.
Food stores have been a stalwart on Tillemont Street for the last 30 years, making the local shops a common destination for neighbourhood residents who have been shopping there for decades. When Philippe took over the premises, there was no way he could close during renovations and set-up. "In the first two months, we cleaned the store and repaired the equipment. But we stayed open so as not to interrupt customers' routines," he says.