The Grand Marché de Québec aims to be a meeting place for visitors, through the implementation of various activities. On May 25 and 26, it will be the 1st edition of the Patio Palooza. June 15 will mark the 5th anniversary of the Grand Marché. Mario Goulet also became the new general manager.
Since April 29, Mario Goulet has held the position of general director of the Grand Marché de Québec.
“I have 36 years of experience in food retail and over 25 years as a manager. I worked particularly in supermarkets,” notes Mr. Goulet.
“In my businesses, I have always advocated customer service, product quality and local products,” he says.
Challenges and objectives
“Our Market brings together, supports and promotes producers, processors and agri-food artisans from the greater Quebec region,” recalls Mr. Goulet.
“The goal is for the journey between the firm and the plate to be as short as possible. »
As the new CEO, other objectives are at the heart of his vision for the Grand Market.
“My primary objective is to ensure that our traders present all year round and our market gardeners are as happy as possible and that they do good business. And for that, we must work together and have a complete offer,” he maintains.
Concretely, this also involves the people who go there.
“When our customers come to visit us, they must have a great experience through the discovery of our products,” he emphasizes.
Economic challenges must also be considered.
At the beginning of April, the City of Quebec granted a subsidy to help the Grand Marché.
According to him, these major activities will allow people to discover the Grand Marché who might not have taken the time to go there.
“Every weekend, we have formula companies pop-up to test the market a little. Some of our traders started with this formula. This can be a great entry for companies wanting to promote their products,” adds Mario Goulet.
A first edition of the Patio Palooza
Among the activities offered, the days of May 25 and 26 will mark the first edition of the Patio Palooza. This new general public event aims to highlight the flower season and the arrival of good weather.
“We are creating an open-air terrace on the south facade of the Market, particularly with entertainment and summer activities,” explains Noémy Prince-Turbis, responsible for programming at the Grand Marché de Québec.
“For example, we will have culinary workshops with the making of spring rolls. The Two Shores Forestry Association will donate trees, among other things. »
There will also be craft and makeup workshops for children, as well as musical performances.
“We focused on activities that will attract families and several types of people. We are going to be active both inside and outside to also involve our merchants and make them shine,” she believes.
Five years of existence of the Grand Marché on June 15
On June 15, the Grand Marché de Québec will celebrate its 5th anniversary.
“The queer festival on the ExpoCité site takes place at the same time with lots of activities outside. We really want to bring people inside the Grand Marché,” explains Madame Prince-Turbis.
To mark the occasion, a large tasting including all the merchants will be organized.
“All our merchants will have a little something to taste. Cupcakes of different flavors will be given to customers. We are going to make a wish bridge to write down our good memories of the Market,” she reveals.
Visitors will be able to taste smoked duck breast at Canard Goulu and carrot baguettes at the Charlevoix dairy, among others.
“We asked each merchant to introduce one of their products. It will be very interesting for foodies or fans of great discoveries,” specifies the CEO.
At the same time, the launch of the 5th anniversary beer, brewed by SNO Microbrasserie Nordik, is expected.
“You have to take the time to come and discover the Grand Marché and talk with our merchants, because we really have passionate people” finally summarize Mario Goulet and Noémy Prince-Turbis.
This article was produced by Local Journalism Initiative reporter Anne Charlotte Gillain.
