CNHR pop-in visits: Montreal
Over the years, Montreal has been the source of many interesting store features in CNHR. Its early health food stores and the pioneers who opened them have a deep and rich history in the city.
During a recent visit to “the City of Saints,” CNHR conducted one of its classic “pop-in” tours, getting out on the streets and visiting a few stores and a head office location. Leading the tour was Catherine Milette, a field representative for Bioforce Canada (A.Vogel). (Thanks, Catherine, for arranging everything!) Also, a big thank you to Mélanie Vacquier, key account manager for A.Vogel. Mélanie spent many years as a field rep for A.Vogel, and she shared some of her thoughts on the stores we visited.
Bioforce Canada (A.Vogel) office and warehouse
First stop on the CNHR Montreal Pop-In Tour was Bioforce Canada (A.Vogel). One of the most innovative and reliable vendor suppliers in our industry, Bioforce Canada (A.Vogel) recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The visit resulted in a full tour of the Bioforce Canada (A.Vogel) office and warehouse complex in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec, along with meeting some key internal staff members.
“These are some of the people your retail readers would normally never meet,” explained Bioforce president and CEO Bob Oommen, “but they are dedicated individuals from the head office who work behind the scenes to support our retail partners every day.”
Bio Terre: full-service store, great location
“Bio Terre is a beautiful healthy grocery store that has been well established in Montreal’s Mile-End district for over 20 years,” explains Mélanie. “Owners Anika Daigneault and Isabelle Larabée and their entire team offer healthy, fresh, quality organic goods that meet the daily needs of the local community.
“The strongest point of this store is its unique contact with local residents and close ties with the surrounding community. It truly brings a unique variety and flavour that is instantly felt when you walk in.”
Bio Terre offers groceries, supplements, cosmetics, and fresh organic produce. They take a zero-waste approach, favouring packaging-free and bulk items, as well as recycling.
Mission Santé Thuy, an old-school classic
This is a classic old-school store in the Montreal neighbourhood of Outremont. It is situated in a 100-year-old residential building—The Royal York—with five floors of residential above. “Founded in 1978 by Bach Thuyet ‘Blanche-Neige’ Vo, Mission Santé Thuy is a store selling natural health products, organic food, and natural cosmetics,” says Mélanie. “Now a second-generation, family-owned business, Sophie Thuy and her team select the finest products, always inspired by the knowledge of the founder, Blanche-Neige, which combines Eastern and Western approaches to health.”
A Votre Santé has a unique location and layout
This subterranean store can be hard to find the first time around—you have to go down a few steps to enter it. “A Votre Santé is a little hidden store located in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, right at the beginning of the trendy Westmount area in Montreal,” says Mélanie.
“It specializes in alternative health and nutrition, offering an abundance of options for those with specific allergies and lifestyles. The knowledgeable team of homeopaths, herbalists, and naturopaths answer your questions and give you open, up-to-date health information. Plus, owner John Hopkins is always open to debate health issues and politics with you.”