Variétés La Fiesta Idéal

La Fiesta Idéal, a party shop that specializes in items for holidays and special occasions, is the perfect example of a solid and passionate family business. "My grandmother Graciela, my mother Marta and my two aunts, Aury and Karina, wanted to open a little coffee shop, where people could have a coffee and learn to make candy and simple decorations for events," says Lenia Ramos, who now owns the shop with her mother, Marta Monchez.

"I've been working here since it opened in 1997, and I started out mostly making the decorations," says Lenia, who went on to study management in order to become as formidable a businesswoman as her grandmother. Today, the coffee shop is no longer part of the equation, but the shop on Saint-Zotique Street East is still very much in demand.

This part of town is very close to the owners' hearts and they take an active interest in neighbourhood life by encouraging residents through sponsorships, and by sharing their services. For them, neighbourly gestures are very important.