What is Marguerite boutique et provisions?
Marguerite boutique et provisions is an ode to Chéticamp general stores of old, while also looking distinctly to the future of the village. The building itself has held different iterations of stores for over 100 years: among them Tucker’s, The Lucky Dollar, Chez Luce, Le P’tit Chady and now, Marguerite boutique et provisions. Here we showcase the talent of local artisans and artists, while also offering fine foods, coffee and environmentally sustainable products for locals and visitors alike.
We aim to make life a little more beautiful and a little more connected – to each other and to this home of ours.
What does Marguerite mean?
Marguerites are the daisies growing wild along the roads and hills of Cape Breton, sweet little flowers that have predicted the love (or lack thereof) of many a childhood sweetheart. But Marguerite is also the name of the late Marguerite Gallant, a woman famous in Chéticamp for her kindness, storytelling, and her vast collection of trinkets: things others may have called trash that she called treasures. Everyone was invited to her colourful beach-side home, with her much-loved wooden wagon posted outside, and it is this legacy that we aim to honour with our own collection of treasures and stories.
For more information on Marguerite, visit Les Trois Pignons.
Who are we?
Co-owner Basil Doucet
was raised in his family’s bed and breakfasts, so a career in the hospitality industry was a natural choice for him. A former flight attendant and restaurant server, he returned to Chéticamp in 2018 to make true his dream of owning his own restaurant and café after years living in Toronto and working around the world. Basil enjoys good coffee, well-organized spreadsheets, mixing cocktails for friends, and fiddle music.
Co-owner Jaron Felix
is an interdisciplinary artist who has been inspired by the nature surrounding him, his grandmother’s hospitality and wisdom, and his grandfather’s vegetable farming for as long as he can remember. Following his studies at NSCAD University (BFA 2016) and years of living between Chéticamp and Halifax, he returned home in 2018 with the goal of creating something special. Jaron can usually be found outside, either hiking in the mountains, building something, or gardening.
Manager Karolyn Aucoin
comes from two families of small business owners and storytellers, and so follows in her parents’ and grandparents’ footsteps with this new venture. She worked as Executive Director of Radio CIFA following her graduation at Université Sainte-Anne (BAA 2017) and is currently also the Communications and Community Engagement Specialist at the Municipality of the County of Inverness. Her favourite things include bright colours, fresh bread and sunshine.