Grenville has a new café and barber shop, and they are both in the same building!
Caffé La Buona Stella opened seven months ago in a building surrounded by forest on Route 344, at the eastern edge of the village. A special inauguration event for the café and barber shop was held on Thursday, July 18. Buona Stella is Italian for “good star.”
The idea behind having barbers and baristas in the same place began with owner Pascal Desjardins. He owns Bella Vita, which is Italian for “nice life.” The company imports high-quality personal care products from Italy and France, and distributes similar products manufactured in Canada. Desjardins, who has lived in the Cushing area of Brownsburg-Chatham for nearly 30 years, had warehouse space in Cushing and Hawkesbury, but decided to consolidate operations at the new building in Grenville. He decided the location presented the opportunity to also include a café, barber shop, and boutique. Bella Vita also acts as a supplier of certain brands of liquor to the Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ). Eight people work at Bella Vita’s Grenville facility.
“The boutique we have is the showroom,” is how Desjardins described the venue.
Desjardins said the concept had been in his mind for years.
“To me, it was obvious, why not put them together?” he remarked.
Personal care brands distributed by Bella Vita, along with private label Buona Stella coffee, are all available at the boutique and café. Of course, customers may also enjoy one of the other beverages and light lunch items which are offered. Desjardins said he wanted to offer food that is fast, but healthy and good.
The barber shop is operated by Mathieu Guy. Originally from Sherbrooke, he served in the Canadian Army Fusiliers de Sherbrooke regiment from 1998 to 2000. It was during his military service he discovered a proper haircut was difficult to get because of a shortage of barbers. The experience led him to pursuing a career as a barber. Most recently, Guy was working in Montebello.
“I like the barber shop atmosphere,” Guy said.
He explained how the conversations and their topics in barber shops are a reflection of a democratic society.
Caffé La Buona Stella is located at 493 rue Principale (Route 344), east of the Long Sault Bridge in Grenville. It is open from 8 am to 4 pm, Tuesday to Friday.
