But there is none. Pierre Antoine Gustavus sits in the back of the empty decorating salon. Only the sound of the television breaks the silence.
Now it’s very difficult, the owner of ConGusto Salon gives back. After the difficult years of the pandemic, the work of the SRB Pie-IX, which is the slowdown of traffic, Pierre Antoine Gustave appreciates. It was everyone’s desire.
In September 2021, a hundred or so merchants in the Petit Maghreb district agreed to join forces to form a business development company (SDC), specifically to speak with one voice before municipal councilors. They believed that this was the only way to assert their rights and possibly improve their financial situation.
Since then, nothing, says the translator Mufieddine Fakhreddine, who has a cellar in the neighborhood.
“We consulted the council that represented the City of Montreal and they told us to wait 5 to 10 years before we see concrete results. We are not really interested in waiting that long to achieve good works.”
— On the authority of Mufieddine Fakhreddine, an interpreter who lives in the neighborhood
The annual fee, above $400, is considered too high by many merchants. On February 7, about sixty of them signed a petition asking for the payment of their SDC.
The future of Petit Maghreb awaits visitors to Toufik Lallouche’s shop.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Rose St-Pierre
The president of the SDC, Toufik Lallouche, promises to go out of his way to convince his neighbors to remain members. The owner of two businesses in the district proudly displays the colors of the Maghreb petition in front of his shop.
“We had a response at the beginning, which is why we were able to find our SDC Petit Maghreb. But we come to the point where some traders are against him. The main division is money. There are many merchants who did not understand that we contribute to the neighborhood. »
– Spoken by Toufik Lallouche, president of the SDC du Petit Maghreb.
new divisions
Businessmen of the Petit Maghreb in the heart of the Saint-Michel district have been discussing a trade development partnership for ten years. In 2008, the company was founded before disbanding three years later.
I hope this is right, says Toufik Lallouche, who believes that more education and awareness is needed.
The president of the board of directors of the Montreal Association of Trade Unions, Tasha Morizio, is surprised by this second attempt at dissolution.
“People are always confused about SDCs, but you have to know that the money from the debts is supplemented by grants. Because of this $400, we will see a territorial promotion of $30,000 to $40,000. »
– Quote from Tasha Morizio, President of the Board of Directors of the Montreal Counties Business Development Association.
They must be explained to us clearly, we build trust, he believes on behalf of Ismain, a store of sweets and pastries. They say the new one will be longer, so we wait. But then, to pay rent.
In addition, it was the low rents that attracted small Maghreb businessmen to the sector in the 1990s.
A precarious financial position could improve his association’s new business. At least 22 merchants will have to sign a petition at the Arena St-Michel on March 23 for a referendum to be held.
