Les Marchés Tradition Fréchette of Daveluyville

18 years Owners for

35 conscientious employees

Store in business since 45 years

When they became owners of Daveluyville’s grocery store in 1974, Gérald (father) and Roxanne (mother) Fréchette made their dream of getting things moving in their community a reality. Twenty-seven years later, it’s Steve and Pascal who have taken over the reins. With their mom’s support, the two brothers do everything they can to preserve family values. Their sons also work at the store part time while pursuing their studies.

Unequalled personalized service

For Steve and Pascal, each customer is important and each request, significant. They are at the store every day to talk with the people from their neck of the woods. The two brothers are deeply committed to nurturing a solid and sustainable relationship with their community by being so involved in their store. This approach allows them to know each customer and family, as well as their entire community. All the employees at Marché Fréchette treat customers with the utmost respect and attention. It’s actually top of the list of hiring criteria. “Here, we know everyone by their first name. We still call our senior customers Mr. Turcotte or Ms. Gagner, but that’s not because we don’t know their first names…it’s simply out of respect.”

Community engagement

In addition to their involvement in Daveluyville’s food sharing organization, the Fréchette’s are also a major sponsor of the region’s hockey tournaments and senior hockey team. Since they really care about the health of the members of their community, Steve and Pascal also participate in the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie, through which they donated $15,000 to the neighbourhood’s elementary school for sports facilities. The school has in fact been transformed into the thematic school-park for the Pierre Lavoie challenge.

“My father would bring his organ to the store each year for the Holidays to spice up the Christmas spirit. Customers always enjoyed it!”

Staying one step ahead of customer needs

Steve and Pascal are fully aware that their parents are excellent examples when it comes to customer service. One of the best pieces of advice they got was to always be ahead of the game in offering customers what they need. So when the community’s pizzeria closed down, Steve and Pascal immediately took the initiative to get a pizza oven so their fellow townspeople could enjoy a great locally flavoured pie. Customers also like the passive tastings offered each week to test new products.

4 That’s the number of extensions added to the store since 1994.
$15,000 The amount donated to the neighbourhood elementary school to modernize its sports facility.
From 7 to 35 The number of employees in 1974 compared to today.
1976 The year their current butcher, who will soon retire, was hired.

Having their heart in the right place

Despite the four extensions added to their Marché Tradition store since 1994, it’s their closeness to their customers that make them most proud. For over 10 years, this closeness has allowed them to help families in need. Each December, an anonymous customer asks them to give $200 worth of groceries to a family in need, which is what they would have spent on Christmas presents for their daughter had she not passed. As much of a surprise and touching delivery for the bereaved family and the family in need as it is for Steve and Pascal. The holidays are emotional for the two owners as they remember how much their dad enjoyed this time of the year. He always made sure it was just as joyful for everyone that visited the store. He even brought in his organ and would play festive melodies at any moment of the day. He truly felt the holidays were an event that needed to be celebrated!

The recipes of their success

While their exceptional service is an excellent reason for the members of their community to go back to Marché Fréchette time and time again, several local recipes in their Ready-to-Eat menu are also customer favourites. According to certifiable sources, the products that are smoked on site ( ham, fish and cheeses ) are “simply divine,” just like the cretons, sugar pie, and above all, creamy fudge pie. If you ever find yourself at Marché Fréchette, don’t forget to try at least one slice. This section features profiles of our collaborators who truly personify Tradition values. Have a soft spot for one of our employees? Let us know!

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