Centre Acadien, Université Sainte-Anne

General Stores - Each village in Clare had its own general store, commonly known as the "shoppe", where everything was sold: molasses, salted meat, sugar, flour and salt, tobacco, clothes for work and family, and many other things, usually on high shelves and in wooden crates. Children were particularly attracted to the candy displays.

The general store was also a meeting place for our Acadian ancestors. It was mostly men who would regularly spend time there, to hear the latest news and to enjoy each other’s company. In addition to sharing community news, they discussed and told stories and anecdotes inspired by adventures at shipyards and while fishing.

In this photo, four villagers, François Robichaud, Moïse Robichaud, Michel Robichaud and Julius Deveau have gathered in front of a general store in Meteghan, NS.

Gradually, merchants began to have difficulty meeting the growing needs of their customers. Some enterprising storekeepers nevertheless built prosperous businesses by transferring their operations to large, spacious buildings. Clarence Shopping Mart, located in Saulnierville, which has offered a wide range of products for decades, is now the largest department store in Clare.

In Concession, a couple recently bought and renovated a former general store, known to everyone as La Shoppe Verte, which was on the verge of closing down. By combining a coffee shop and convenience store, La Shoppe Verte has made a successful fresh start.

Topic: Commercial Enterprises and other livelihoods

Date: [ca. 1915]

Reference: Harold Robichaud Collection Centre Acadien Series A, photo 49

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