{"id":101647,"date":"2017-06-14T07:40:43","date_gmt":"2017-06-14T11:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/depquebec.com\/?p=101647\/"},"modified":"2017-06-15T21:48:15","modified_gmt":"2017-06-16T01:48:15","slug":"bourassa-a-quite-attractive-formula","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/depquebec.com\/en\/bourassa-a-quite-attractive-formula\/","title":{"rendered":"Bourassa: A Quite Attractive Formula"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tell me about a grocery store that welcomes you with a smile and hands you over a coat to shop!<\/p>\n

A grocery store where the cheese section does not have refrigerated counters because it is the entire section that is chilled, customers included! A large refrigerator of 1000 square feet, or even more, which one enters through vertical strips of large plastic bands and which is maintained at 3 degrees Celsius permanently.<\/p>\n

Apart from Costco<\/strong> for its dairy and vegetable section and Couche-Tard<\/strong> for its beer section, it is seldom to see such a configuration for these product categories. And this is only one of the peculiarities that distinguishes this grocery wholesaler from the competition.<\/p>\n

There are only four in Quebec but be warned: go there once you are exposed to a serious addiction syndrome.<\/p>\n

Of course, we are talking about the famous\u00a0Bourassa food markets<\/strong>\u00a0located in Mirabel, Saint-Sauveur-des-Monts, Sainte-Agathe and Mont-Tremblant.<\/p>\n

This small chain of grocery wholesalers is not new: founded in Shawbridge in 1951, 66 years ago, the company is already in its 4th generation of owners\/managers.<\/p>\n

Well-established in the Laurentian region, the family has separated its stores: Serge and Micheline Bourassa run the St-Sauveur branch, Marc Bourassa, Saint-Agathe and Mirabel, while St\u00e9phane Bourassa ensures the success of the Mont-Tremblant store, in addition to managing its own transportation company.<\/p>\n

At Bourassa, “there are surprises under every aisles”, to quote the company’s words. Here they are in pictures.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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At first glance, Bourassa looks like a mini Costco: the metal shelves are warehouse type, the floor is made in cement, the look is pretty industrial and we love it!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Speaking of Costco<\/strong>, some of the items sold at Bourassa<\/strong> come from the well-known Wholesale Club chain, like this Kirkland<\/strong> branded toilet paper, Costco’s<\/strong> brand that is also its best seller.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

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At Bourassa<\/strong>, you are in the middle of the action. While you shop around the aisles, employees are busy packing fruits and vegetables.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

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These are packed in convenient, recyclable and totally transparent plastic containers so you can better appreciate their freshness.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

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These apples are so enticing you would eat them up right there!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

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But what really makes Bourassa famous is the variety and low prices of its assortment of cheeses … incredible!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

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When we say low prices, we mean it. This Tomme de Grosse \u00cele cheese is sold here for $ 26.25 per kg<\/strong>\u00a0compared with $ 62 in supermarkets…<\/strong>\u00a0that’s a 60% discount!<\/strong> This tiny piece on the photo sold at $ 4.94 would be yours for $ 11.65 elsewhere. At $ 7 less a piece, it’s worth the detour at Sainte-Agathe, especially if you are a big cheese fan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

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And what a great selection … all Quebec cheeses have their place on Bourassa’s shelves, even the least known.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Here, employees work like bees in the North Pole to carve the cheese blocks into smaller pieces and as one can see, the volume is huge… note the gloves and coats even with a 32 degree temperature outside!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

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In addition to cheese, there are lots of hard to find products at Bourassa, such as the huge, no-name and delicious frozen cakes packed in cardboard boxes. An excellent value for who likes good dessert.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

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There are also brands that are less available but very trendy, such as the Kind bars, which are quite popular in the United States but less known here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

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There are also SOLO bars, still less known and harder to find than the KIND.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

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And where, apart from Ste-Agathe’s Bourassa, can we find this excellent Uncle Dougie’s hot sauce? A supreme delight on your steaks, eggs and hamburgers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Each supermarket, grocery store or convenience store develops its own style, its ways of doing things and its approach. The presentation of the products, the layout of the categories, the interior set-up, lighting … all contribute to create what is called “the shopping experience”.<\/p>\n

By remaining faithful to its tradition, the grocery wholesaler Bourassa offers no more, no less than its authenticity, which is heartly felt and appreciated. The difference Bourassa brings to the food retail chain is fresh and distinctive. It probably still offers the best value on the market with regard to cheese at least, and that is already worth the detour.<\/p>\n

It’s not bad for a chain that only runs four stores. It’s up to us, consumers, to take advantage of, and for other retailers, to take note of.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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