Residents of Montreal-North are familiar with Bicyclettes Montréal-Nord, a small shop that has been a part of the neighbourhood landscape since the 1940s! A passion for cycling is what this business is all about — it is a place by and for cycling enthusiasts.
When Yves Chénard started working in the Gouin Street shop in the late '70s, he was 22 years old and its first employee. Soon he became the owner's right-hand man. Eventually he left to work in a bicycle manufacturing company and a decade later, returned to Bicyclettes Montréal-Nord in 1989 to officially become a partner with his employer and current friend, who is now the godfather of his son, Christian. "Christian works with me full time and he's interested in taking over," says Yves, who is now the sole owner of the shop.