Maison La Belle Renée

Maison La Belle Renée is a little place on Mont-Royal street. I discovered this place a few years ago while walking through the street sale one Summer day.  I went  back a few times and bought a few things here and there but never really took a good look at the place.

A few weeks ago Stéphane and I decided to visit this place again. I always stopped by the window to see what new things were added. Entering this place is like going back in time.  This old store has been ravaged by time but the 60s charm is still there. La belle Renée is run by a quirky old lady. She seems to be in her own little world. I asked her when this place opened and she answered 1962. I also asked her since when she has been working there and she said: '' I’ve been here since my son was old enough to go to school'', and then she just looked straight forward and did not say another word. The story behind this place is such a mystery to me. I wish I could tell you more but this is all I got from her. The store is on two floors but upstairs is not opened to the public.  

As silly as this may sound, the lady that owns the place will often run up to fetch something in your size and throw it down to you.

I was very lucky to get these pictures of inside the store.  The lady owner said to me '' I usually don't like people taking pictures but I don't mind if you do''.  I am grateful she let me share these pictures of the shop. Back in the 60s, Mont-Royal street was a working class neighborhood and families were poor. In the past twenty years, the neighborhood has changed a lot with a new generation of young and hip people that renovated their businesses and homes. Now when you visit this street it is filled with coffee shops, independent records stores, book stores fancy restaurants and hip cocktail bars. All these changes have made Mont-Royal street a nice place for Montrealers to shop, eat and have a good time and also a great place for tourists.   Unfortunately, a shop like La Belle Renée does not fit in anymore. The whole building is for sale and will probably be replaced by some new business. Shops like Maison La Belle Renée disappear everyday, what will happen to all this vintage treasure? 

I bought this baby blue cape with abstract red and navy printed lining and a white leather bag. Everything from this shop is dead stock vintage. There is so much stuff in this place I don't understand why it never sold? 

I just wish I could solve the Maison La Belle Renée mystery.

When I purchased my bag and cape the lady put it in a Special bag and said: '' I put it in this bag so you can remember us''. Do any of you have a shop like La belle Renée in your town?

xo

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