SME Succession Hub presents Annie and Mathieu, the new owners of Librairie Pélagie in Shippagan and Caraquet
Annie and Mathieu held management positions for several years. They want to continue to exercise their leadership skills, but differently. They decided to open a business, Brûlerie Munro in Haut-Shippagan. After tasting entrepreneurship, they were hooked. They wanted other projects, something that went well with a good coffee! By chance they heard that a major enterprise in Shippagan, Librairie Pélagie, was for sale. With a good coffee in hand and all the enthusiasm you could wish for from two entrepreneurs, Annie and Mathieu launched into the process of buying the business. They signed up on the SME Succession Hub platform, marking the start of a new adventure.
What is Librairie Pélagie? It all started in July 1989 when Julien Cormier and Isabelle Bonnin decided to open one of the first independent Francophone bookstores in New Brunswick. With over 33 years behind it, the store became an institution in the province. Librairie Pélagie, founded with the sincere promise of serving the Francophone public and its institutions, is a general bookstore with an excellent collection of Acadian literature. It has opened several locations over the years, and it presently has an inventory of over 12,000 titles between its two stores in Shippagan and Caraquet. As Julien said with a grin, “We might not be a multinational, but we’re a multiregional.” That’s why Librairie Pélagie is an integral part of New Brunswick’s cultural enterprises.
Why sell such an important establishment? Isabelle and Julien needed to pass the torch. They felt that they didn’t have enough energy to bring to the business any more and they wanted the Librairie to continue. After long deliberations, they came to the conclusion that finding an owner who could carry on their legacy was the best way to keep their dream alive. After five years of financial, legal and technical preparations, they were finally ready to move on. They had no idea that Annie and Mathieu, local entrepreneurs, would become their perfect successors.
Why sell to Annie and Mathieu? When they met Annie and Mathieu, Isabelle and Julien immediately were reminded of themselves. They all shared similar values, objectives and perspectives. For Isabelle and Julien, it wasn’t just finding a buyer for their bookstore but also welcoming a new member into their family. As experienced entrepreneurs, they knew that selling was both a commercial and an emotional transaction. They weren’t just making sure that the shelves were full, but also preparing mentally to pass on something that had taken them years to build. Isabelle and Julien felt that they could trust Annie and Mathieu completely, so they were able to start the process of transition with open minds and hearts.
For Annie and Mathieu, their predecessors’ experience is an inestimable resource. The former owners left behind them a goldmine of knowledge to help them make prudent, informed decisions for the future. “For 33 years, they had successes and they had failures. Somewhere, we have access to all that information!” they said. In one sense, they’re continuing a major legacy by providing Francophones with access to books in French. They believe that the duty to carry on such an important mission is unique – it’s a privilege that is not undertaken lightly!
What are the new owners’ plans for the future? Right now, to understand the culture and to continue the excellent service provided by their predecessors. “Now, how are we going to bring new energy? We definitely need to build a presence on social media, and we’ve already started. We certainly don’t want to turn the store upside-down, but we have lots of ideas in our heads right now!” the new owners concluded enthusiastically.
What is Librairie Pélagie? It all started in July 1989 when Julien Cormier and Isabelle Bonnin decided to open one of the first independent Francophone bookstores in New Brunswick. With over 33 years behind it, the store became an institution in the province. Librairie Pélagie, founded with the sincere promise of serving the Francophone public and its institutions, is a general bookstore with an excellent collection of Acadian literature. It has opened several locations over the years, and it presently has an inventory of over 12,000 titles between its two stores in Shippagan and Caraquet. As Julien said with a grin, “We might not be a multinational, but we’re a multiregional.” That’s why Librairie Pélagie is an integral part of New Brunswick’s cultural enterprises.
Why sell such an important establishment? Isabelle and Julien needed to pass the torch. They felt that they didn’t have enough energy to bring to the business any more and they wanted the Librairie to continue. After long deliberations, they came to the conclusion that finding an owner who could carry on their legacy was the best way to keep their dream alive. After five years of financial, legal and technical preparations, they were finally ready to move on. They had no idea that Annie and Mathieu, local entrepreneurs, would become their perfect successors.
Why sell to Annie and Mathieu? When they met Annie and Mathieu, Isabelle and Julien immediately were reminded of themselves. They all shared similar values, objectives and perspectives. For Isabelle and Julien, it wasn’t just finding a buyer for their bookstore but also welcoming a new member into their family. As experienced entrepreneurs, they knew that selling was both a commercial and an emotional transaction. They weren’t just making sure that the shelves were full, but also preparing mentally to pass on something that had taken them years to build. Isabelle and Julien felt that they could trust Annie and Mathieu completely, so they were able to start the process of transition with open minds and hearts.
For Annie and Mathieu, their predecessors’ experience is an inestimable resource. The former owners left behind them a goldmine of knowledge to help them make prudent, informed decisions for the future. “For 33 years, they had successes and they had failures. Somewhere, we have access to all that information!” they said. In one sense, they’re continuing a major legacy by providing Francophones with access to books in French. They believe that the duty to carry on such an important mission is unique – it’s a privilege that is not undertaken lightly!
What are the new owners’ plans for the future? Right now, to understand the culture and to continue the excellent service provided by their predecessors. “Now, how are we going to bring new energy? We definitely need to build a presence on social media, and we’ve already started. We certainly don’t want to turn the store upside-down, but we have lots of ideas in our heads right now!” the new owners concluded enthusiastically.