Iconic Montreal poutine spot La Banquise has been sold
La Banquise, the poutine restaurant in Montreal's Plateau that is rarely without a queue, has been sold.
Co-owners Annie Barsalou and Marc Latendresse took over the business from Pierre Barsalou, Annie's father, in 1994. Now, they've sold it to Chez Ashton owners Emily Adam and Jean-Christophe Lirette.
"We're not getting any younger," said Barsalou with a laugh. "It's 24 hours you know so i think that takes a lot on you."
What started out as a small ice cream shop is now one of the most renowned poutine spots in Montreal.
"La Banquise, it's more than just a meal," said Barsalou. "The ambiance is there for sure, the spirit of all the team. I think we made sure that when you come at La Banquise you're going to have a great meal, good poutine."
The new owners said they plan to keep it the way it is.
"La Banquise will stay La Banquise," said Adam. "We're really here to reassure people we aren't going to change a winning recipe. The team will stay the same. Everyone is keeping their jobs."
The pair took over the poutine chain Chez Ashton last year and own a popular snack bar called Ti-Oui in their home town of Saint-Raymond.
They said purchasing La Banquise was an opportunity they couldn't pass up.
"When we got the call, it was a no-brainer," said Lirette.
Poutine Week founder Na'eem Adam said he hopes the new owners stay true to their word.
"It wasn't just this corporate top to bottom. These are the recipes, this is what's going to sell," he said. "They really let the staff get into the mix and develop their own concoctions and recipes."
"If they maintain the same taste standard, people are going to come. They're going to eat again the same food, because they expect good food on the reputation they already built."
The new owners said they have no plans to franchise the restaurant, only to preserve what's already working so well.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.