Cloé Beauchamp-Lacasse and Francis Villeneuve truly returned to their roots when they left the urban Outaouais to go into business in Gracefield in the Gatineau Valley, where they acquired Station L’aventure.
Early in the pandemic, both ended up unemployed in Gatineau, which aroused their entrepreneurial instincts. “Francis often talked about going into business, explained Cloé. An opportunity arose in Gracefield when a convenience store/gas station went up for sale, so we both decided to take the plunge. We wanted to return to our roots in the Gatineau Valley, so we decided to buy the business.”
Francis and I are part of a young generation, and we wanted to redefine the business
They both wanted to reinvent the very model of this convenience store/gas station that had been around for years along Highway 105 near the intersection of chemin de Point Comfort.
“Francis and I are part of a young generation, and we wanted to redefine the business, which prompted the decision not to include convenience store in the name, noted Cloé. We didn’t want to be identified by just that. We started from scratch by bringing in a totally new inventory and renovating the place from top to bottom.”
“We kept the propane and the gasoline, and in the store, we carry products from the region and around Quebec such as beers from microbreweries. We wanted to get more into hunting and fishing, which really defines the beautiful Gatineau Valley region.”
REVISITING THE CONVENIENCE STORE MODEL
Customers are made up of locals, numerous visitors from Gatineau and Ottawa and even some Americans
Both owners, who are in their twenties, can already say mission accomplished. In two years, they have practically doubled sales they had estimated when they opened. They also have plans for further expansion up their sleeve.
“For starters, we included the word “adventure” in our name as this truly was a new adventure for Francis when we got into a field we weren’t familiar with. Without elaborating, I can confirm that we have plans to expand into other areas of activity such as the outdoors, which we want to develop in the next few years. We want to promote the region from another angle since the Gatineau Valley has little-known recreational tourism assets that can be further developed.”
Customers are made up of locals, numerous visitors from Gatineau and Ottawa and even some Americans.
THE ADVENTURE IS JUST BEGINNING
It definitely was the right thing to do for both of us
They certainly do not have any regrets returning to their roots in the Gatineau Valley. “The transition from the city to the country went very well. The stress of city life vanished, said Cloé. We feel less rushed despite the workload. We feel safe and at home. There’s an incredible community mindedness here. It definitely was the right thing to do for both of us.”
Cloé et Francis describe themselves as passionate people who have rediscovered the Gatineau Valley. “The entrepreneurial spirit is so vibrant, and there are so many opportunities and jobs available. This makes it easy and possible for businesses to get together with one another to sell local products.”
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND IN THE GATINEAU VALLEY
Other success stories
Lynda Cayer, Physiothérapeute
