Le 16 décembre, la succursale des grandes arches jaunes au coin de Parc et Mont-Royal ferma ses portes à tout jamais, à la grande surprise de beaucoup de gens dans le quartier.
C’est sûrement un peu étrange que de parler de la fermeture d’un McDo dans un magazine en ligne traitant d’espaces publics. Pourtant, dans le quartier, c’était une version cheap des cafés qui pullulent sur Laurier, lieux où on y flânera des heures après avoir acheté sa consommation. J’y apercevais souvent un monsieur prenant toute une table pour quatre à lui tout seul, crayons étalés, bouquins ouvert, en train, on dirait, de faire fonctionner son entreprise sans adresse fixe.
L’hiver venu, le McDo en question était aussi un abri d’autobus chauffé (et vendant de la bouffe à rabais) pour ceux qui attendaient la 80 Du Parc, la 97 Mont-Royal, la 11 Montage, ou encore la 129 Côte-Ste-Catherine. Et durant la saison estivale, quoi de mieux après une promenade aux tams-tams qu’un sundae au chocolat pour moins de 2$?
9 comments
Si vous voulez mon opinion, this is a good news, Mont-Royal x Parc is not a place for a big chain crap like McDo. I hope it get replace by something that’s will see this spot as a luxury and a privilege.
Back when this restaurant first opened (in the late 90s, I think) a number of people in the neighbourhood were upset. Kind of funny to see it gone now.
You’re right that McDonald’s often acts as a very informal, pseudo-public gathering space. The one at Jean Talon and Hutchison in Park Extension is always filled with old Greek men who use it as a social club. Last time I walked by, I noticed that some middle-aged Indian men had claimed a few tables for that purpose, too. Changing of the guards?
There was an interesting New Yorker article that reflected on the role McDonald’s plays in China, where it is often treated as a clean, anonymous space in which to meet people. I’ll see if I can find it.
YaY! One down, many more to go.
In spite of everything, that is good news. But I don’t like the chain cafés such as Starbucks and Second Cup any better.
Could there have been a union organising drive there? McDonald’s famously closed an outlook dead centre in downtown tourist territory, on Peel opposite Parc Dorchester rather than sit down at the bargaining table.
I have observed some interesting public spaces where seniors congregate, at no cost whatsoever. The many elderly Chinese people – men and women – who congregate in the agora of Complexe Guy-Favreau, where part of Chinatown had stood before. Nearby, Portuguese gentlemen in Complexe Desjardins. Up at métro Fabre, Italian fellows of a certain age chat in wintertime as if they were on a village piazza.
Another place elderly Greek people – men and women – congregate in Parc-Extension is the tables at the Loblaws. Many just order a coffee and chat for hours. Think there is a sign limiting the time to sit there, but it doesn’t seem to be enforced except at busy lunchtimes.
Indeed, Parc-Ex is becoming very South Asian.
Chains like McDo make one neighborhood/city/part of the city look like any other, and are the leading edge of the corporatization of public space. “The blandification of America”, as one commentator put it. Not to mention, of course, MeDo’s exploitative labour practices, deleterious effects on the environment, etc. (Look up McLibel for a complete list.) I can’t believe, though, that this space — so visible a landmark as it was — was losing money. Like Maria above, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a move to preempt unionization. May this space be occupied by something distinctive, and not just another chain.
… part of the country, I meant. I suppose I could mean the world.
While it’s no great loss to see the McDo on the NW corner close down, it was a lot less invasive than, say the A&W/Petro-Canada right across the street on the NE corner that looks like it was helicoptered in from the 401. Talk about an eyesore!
1 down… a couple more to go! woohoo ;-)
Some ironic news. Temporarily, at least, the former McShite has become the campaign headquarters for the NDP in Québec!
Still wonder what it will become permanently though. Ideally, a resto/café where people can congregate near the mountain, but not too expensive or posh.