A dream “cooked up” with support from SADC

Annie Brousseau and Martin St-Jacques, owners of Le Resto Pub Le Rabaska.
Photo Journal Le ChoixWhen she thinks back to her childhood, she can still smell the unmistakeable odours of the restaurant food of her grandmother who passionately served up meals to customers who would wend their way in.

Over the years, these memories nurtured Annie Brousseau’s dream to have her own restaurant.  She acquired the experience she needed to pursue her adventure in her grandmother’s restaurant and later when she worked as a waitress.  Moreover, Annie has also owned two businesses.

In 2014, the time had come for action.  She acquired Le Resto Pub Le Rabaska with her spouse Martin St-Jacques, who was very familiar with customer service and running a business.  The restaurant, which holds 140 patrons, is located at 100 Principale sud in Maniwaki and has been in business since 2009.

The first step along the path to realizing their dream was securing the financing needed to acquire the business.  Martin and Annie turned to the Gatineau Valley SADC, more specifically its Youth Strategy program, to get the financing in place.

When they first started working with with SADC, they had no idea that their dealings would extend far beyond a mere application for financing.

Martin claims that his relationship with SADC caused him to reflect on and question the desire that he and Annie both shared to invest in the project.  They also feel it was reassuring to be able to count on SADC’s constant support and advice pertaining to the operation of their business.

Huge challenges awaited the two new owners—supervising about twenty or so employees and running the company in an image that they wished to project.  The HR Tool Kit service offered by SADC enabled them to take on these challenges more effectively.

In just one year, the new owners were able to breathe new life into the business.  Given the structure, dynamism and concern for customer service they instilled in the entire team, the Resto Pub le Rabaska has made a name for itself in the local market.

Annie Brousseau and Martin St-Jacques want to make it the place for outings of families and groups of friends, who can enjoy the warm atmosphere that they would want to come back to time and time again!

With their wealth of ideas, their vision and their desire to go that extra mile, these young entrepreneurs will no doubt be able to bring their aspirations and dreams to fruition and have the Resto Pub Le Rabaska aspire to even loftier heights.