According to Jacques Lalande, there has been a store at the corner of Main and Derby streets in Vankleek Hill for at least 100 years. That will end on Saturday, August 22.
Lalande Depanneur will close that day.
Jacques Lalande has owned and operated the popular convenience store for 25 years. He has decided to retire after 50 years of working in grocery or variety retail stores. Before owning the depanneur, he worked for the former Metro-affiliated grocery store that was once located on Main Street in Vankleek Hill beside the post office. Lalande had been hoping to sell his business for the past year without results.
Lalande wants to sincerely thank all of his customers and the community for their support during the past 25 years.
“I’m going to miss my clients,” he said.
During the morning on Friday, August 7, there was a steady stream of customers through the store. Most of them were purchasing lottery tickets or a snack. Lalande said lottery ticket sales have always been significant at the store, ranging from $500 to $2,000 in revenue each week. Lalande said he has seen many changes in products and new clients during the past 25 years. Indeed, the shelf behind the counter once openly displayed packages of cigarettes. Now, by law, cigarettes must be kept concealed in cabinets.
The store has sold everything from the convenience store staples of soda pop, potato chips, and chocolate bars to a small range of grocery items. Those things were helpful to residents of the community who needed something at the last minute if other stores were closed. There was a place to get a cup of coffee or tea, and even a shelf of small gifts. During its final days, items throughout the store have been discounted by up to 75 percent.
Lalande Depanneur was the last independently owned convenience store in Vankleek Hill. It was not part of a big chain like Couche-Tard, Circle K, or Quickie, nor was it combined with a gas station. With the closure, there will be no more convenience stores on Main Street in Vankleek Hill. Before 2004, The Review Building at 76 Main Street was also a Becker’s convenience store.
Lalande Depanneur was always popular because it also offered bottle and can return on behalf of The Beer Store for beer, wine, and liquor containers. As of Friday, August 7, it was uncertain if a new return depot would open elsewhere in Vankleek Hill.
In addition to Lalande, three other people have been working at Lalande Depanneur. Some of the refrigerators and other equipment have already been sold. Lalande does not own the building, so he could not say if or when the retail space will be occupied again.
Photos: James Morgan
