After 85 years of operation, Mario Brouillette and his wife France Labbé are set to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.
I’ve been running the jewelry store for 52 years since taking over from my father, Yvan Brouillette. My wife and I are both 70 now, and she told me that at 70, it’s time to stop.
— Mario Brouillette, owner of Brouillette jewelry
A closing sale was conducted before concluding an important chapter in Granby’s retail history.
“There have been challenging years, but also some good ones. We’ve weathered periods of recession. Fortunately, the pandemic did not impact us. Our business has seen ups and downs,” Mario Brouillette shares in an interview with The Voice of the East.
“In 2018, I was already considering closing the business because I was exhausted from working 12 hours a day, six days a week,” the merchant reflects.
For the past six years, France Labbé has assisted in the store. “I manage the website and online sales,” she explains.
Last year, Mario Brouillette sold the building in downtown where the business is located.
Amazon, a formidable competitor
According to this merchant, the most intense competition is not within Granby but rather online, due to the influx of Amazon and the online jewelry market. He refers to it as unfair competition.
The jewelry industry is likely to face tough times ahead. A supplier informed me that many jewelry stores are shutting down in Quebec.
— Mario Brouillette, owner of Brouillette jewelry
Currently, according to the Commerce Tourisme Granby region organization, the municipality has 10 jewelry stores including the jewelry counter at Walmart.
“Statistically, the jewelry options in Granby and its vicinity could be improved considering the population size and the average spending in this sector,” states Isabelle Duchesne, a business development advisor at Commerce Tourisme Granby.
“Mr. Brouillette has been a cornerstone of retail in Granby and will be hard to replace,” she adds.
As he approaches the end of his long retail career, Mario Brouillette feels a bit apprehensive about fully embracing retirement.
“When you’re accustomed to seeing people in your store, adapting to change can be quite challenging.”
Downtown Advocate
Throughout his career, Mario Brouillette served as president of the now-defunct Downtown Development Corporation and was also a candidate for municipal council.
“I am disappointed with the recent decisions made by the city council. There are increasingly fewer parking spaces. I believe this will pose challenges for downtown businesses for years to come,” he expresses.
Today, this jewelry store located on Rue Principale is open to customers three days a week, from Thursday to Saturday.
Retirement Announcement of Mario Brouillette: An Era Ends in Granby
After 85 years of cherished services, Mario Brouillette and his wife France Labbé are preparing for a well-deserved retirement from the iconic Brouillette jewelry store in Granby.
“It’s been 52 years since I took over the jewelry store from my father, Yvan Brouillette. My wife and I are 70 years old. She told me at 70, it’s over.”
— Mario Brouillette, owner of Brouillette jewelry
A Reflective Journey
A closing sale marked the end of a significant chapter in Granby’s retail landscape. Mario mentioned, “There have been more difficult years, but also good ones. We have experienced periods of recession. Fortunately, the pandemic has not affected us. Our business has had its ups and downs,” reflecting in an interview with The Voice of the East.
Mario Brouillette behind his counter at the family jewelry store which opened its doors in 1939. (Stéphane Champagne/La Voix de l’Est)
Mario recalls almost closing the business in 2018 due to fatigue from long hours, stating, “I was tired of working 12 hours, six days a week.” France, his supportive partner, has assisted with online sales and managing the store’s website for the past six years.
Last year was pivotal, as Mario sold the downtown building housing the business, reinforcing the transition into retirement.
Facing New Competition
In the evolving retail world, Mario Brouillette sees the most formidable competition not from local businesses, but from online giants like Amazon. “The jewelry industry is likely to experience difficult times. A supplier told me that several jewelry stores are closing their doors in Quebec,” he explained.
“The jewelry industry is likely to experience difficult times. A supplier told me that several jewelry stores are closing their doors in Quebec.”
— Mario Brouillette, owner of Brouillette jewelry
| Challenges Faced | Details |
|---|---|
| Increased Competition | Shift to online jewelry sales, primarily from companies like Amazon. |
| Market Trends | Changing consumer preferences and spending habits in jewelry. |
| Impact of COVID-19 | Surprisingly, the pandemic did not severely affect the business. |
| Local Retention | Concerns about fewer parking spaces affecting downtown businesses. |
According to Commerce Tourisme Granby, the municipality currently has ten jewelry stores, including a jewelry counter at Walmart. “Statistically, the jewelry offering in Granby and its region could be improved given the number of inhabitants and average expenditures in this sector,” said Isabelle Duchesne, a business development advisor.
The Role of Mario Brouillette in Granby’s Retail Landscape
With four months left in his career, Mario expresses some apprehension about retirement. “When you’re used to seeing people in your store, change may not be easy.” Over the years, he has been a significant promoter of downtown Granby, having served as president of the Downtown Development Corporation and a candidate for municipal council.
“I am disappointed with the latest decisions made by the city council. There are fewer and fewer parking spaces. I think that businesses in the city center will find this difficult for years to come,” he shared.
Current Store Operations
As they approach retirement, the Brouillette jewelry store is now open to the public three days a week, specifically from Thursday to Saturday. This limited availability marks a gradual winding down of their once bustling retail activities.
Tips for Jewelry Store Owners Facing Similar Challenges
- Embrace Online Sales: Invest in a user-friendly website and online marketing strategies to reach broader audiences.
- Diverse Product Offerings: Consider expanding your product line to cater to varied customer preferences and needs.
- Community Engagement: Participate and engage with local events to boost visibility and customer loyalty.
- Focus on Customer Experience: Provide unparalleled service to differentiate from online competitors.
Mario Brouillette’s story illustrates not just the evolution of a local business, but also the broader challenges faced by traditional retailers in the digital age. As he prepares for retirement, the impact of his 52 years of service will resonate throughout Granby for years to come.
