Serving the Glebe community since 1973 www.glebereport.ca ISSN 0702-7796 Issue no. 497 FREE
Vol. 45 No. 10
Photo: Lorrie Loewen
November 10, 2017
Elias and Jeannette Monsour have sold the Fifth Avenue Grocery after 42 years running the business and raising five children who now have children of their own.
Fifth Avenue Grocery sold! by Lorrie Loewen
On November 7, Elias and Jeannette Monsour locked the doors of their Glebe home and adjacent store, the Fifth Avenue Grocery on the corner of Fifth and Gordon, for the last time and turned over their keys to a new owner. Elias and Jeannette were a little sad but want everyone to know that this is a time of celebration for them. Many small businesses have come and gone in the Glebe neighbourhood over the years. The Fifth Avenue Grocery, a small gem, has stood the test of time, becoming a beloved part of the Glebe community for 42 years thanks to the community building efforts and
hard work of its owners. Elias and Jeannette Monsour were a young married couple with two preschool children when they first bought the Fifth Avenue Grocery in 1974. They had experience in the hospitality industry, a love for people and a dream. They envisioned more than just a place for penny candy and sundries after the bigger stores’ closing time. They set out to build a community hub where customers would gather and become friends. Over the years they have watched two generations of their own family grow up along with many generations of customers and their children. They are proud parents and grandparents of five grown children and 12 grandchildren. “Our
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neighbours and customers are like a family to us,” says Jeannette. “We worked very hard and we brought lots of combined experience from the hospitality industry, but our success was built on community support and the fact that we love meeting people,” adds Elias. “Our neighbourhood and our store meant community to us. When we opened, many of our customers were families with young children. There was a need to provide them with goods and services after the large supermarkets and shops closed. They became loyal customers when we gave them and their children a friendly environment where they could come out and meet with neighbours and friends;
where the kids could hang out and play with our kids after school.” “If the neighbourhood kids ever forgot their keys or got locked out after school, they had a safe place to wait until their parents picked them up,” adds Jeannette, smiling. “All of our children worked in the store as students. We also hired a student from the neighbourhood, Andy, who was a great employee. He has grown up and is on to his own career and family now.” To celebrate, Jeannette hosted a festive gathering, a delicious gourmet Thanksgiving feast for 27 family members, friends and neighbours. She has a pasContinued on page 2
WHAT’S INSIDE
Oct–Nov. 18..... The Sympathetic Myth art show, studiosixtysix, 66 Muriel St. Nov. 17–19...... Craft & Artisan Fair, GCC, Fri 6–9, Sat 10–5, Sun 11–4 Nov. 21............. Book Launch, Victor and Evie, Glebe-St James, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21–26...... Grey Cup Festival Nov. 25............. Annual Bazaar at Abbotsford House, 10–2:30 Nov. 26............. GNAG Family Grey Cup Tailgate Party, GCC, 5 p.m. Nov. 28............. GCA monthly meeting, GCC, 7–9 Dec. 1, 2.......... Glebe Centre Art Show, 77 Monk St., Fri 6–8, Sat 10–2 Dec. 7............... GNAG winter programs registration online 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 8.......... Handel’s Messiah, Southminster UC, 7:30 p.m.
Agreement for Beer Store / Mister Muffler development Page 3
Wild rice from harvest to table Pages 23
Dec. 8............... Snowflake Special, free community party, GCC, 5–8:30 Dec. 9............... Carols that Stopped the War, Seventeen Voyces choir, ......................... St. Matthew’s Church, 7:30 p.m. C
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next issue: Friday, December 8, 2017 EDITORIAL DEADLINE: Friday, November 17, 2017 ADVERTISING artwork DEADLINE*: Wednesday, November 22, 2017 *Book ads well in advance to ensure space availability.