In order to help merchants succeed in business, the Corporation defends their interests and does everything possible to meet their needs. Above all, it wants to strengthen the street's central role in cultural, sustainable, social and commercial development. In doing so, it seeks to foster a sense of belonging and pride within its ecosystem.
Plaza St-Hubert is a major commercial artery in the city of Montreal that represents 400 retail and service businesses between Bellechasse and Jean-Talon streets. As such, it advocates for the common viewpoints and concerns of merchants. Its power to bring people together, combined with its ability to promote business, carry out improvement work and offer multiple services, make the Corporation an important economic agent. Through its action, it increases the commercial vitality of the area while meeting the needs of citizens in surrounding neighborhoods.
We are proud to collaborate with our partners who support the growth of our members. We also could not succeed without the contribution of our board of directors and our employees dedicated to the success of our community.
The current territories of Rosemont Petite-Patrie, rich in limestone, attracted farmers and quarry workers. Predominantly French-speaking, they settled along the young St-Hubert Street, but it was really only with the arrival of the railway in 1878 and the streetcar in 1893 that its urban and commercial development took shape. Around 1897, numerous businesses emerged thanks to immigrant workers. They were Irish, Ukrainian and Italian, and shaped the neighborhood's multiethnic image.
The street experienced spectacular commercial expansion around 1910. The following years were marked by the arrival of numerous businesses still present today. In 1929, Lozeau the photo-video specialist, in 1951, the Léger family opened the very first St-Hubert rotisserie, and in 1954, the King of Smoked Meat.
To preserve the street's integrity, local small merchants formed an association. It would eventually lead to the creation of the Business Development Corporation as we know it today. This marked the beginning of the Plaza's "golden years," a period of unprecedented prosperity. The installation of nearby metro stations developed the Plaza into a highly popular economic and cultural hub for all French-speaking Montreal.
Plaza St-Hubert presented, in 1973, the very first edition of its major annual sidewalk sale. At the time, this was a first in Quebec for such an event. A new wave of immigration to the area brought mainly Latin Americans, Haitians and Asians. Some of them opened new businesses that still contribute to the street's diversity today.
The merchants working on the artery are supported by the Plaza St-Hubert Business Development Corporation, a non-profit organization founded in 1981 that brings together all the street's entrepreneurs with the goal of serving the community. In 1984, the City of Montreal installed a glass canopy on both sidewalks of the Plaza over 1.2km. Famous for this aesthetic feature, the Plaza is also known for its specialized wedding offerings. The artery is also filled with restaurants, bars, terraces and shops of all kinds.
It's a fresh start that brings change. Now, a new wave of merchants are setting up, are still here today and together, want a renewal of the Plaza.
Starting in 2000, various SDC initiatives including 15-minute parking and public restrooms helped give Plaza St-Hubert new life. New merchants arrived and some longtime ones decided to expand.
In 2010, a reflection began for major work on the Plaza at the request of merchants and citizens to envision a more modern future for the street. Around this reflection, pilot projects emerged but did not slow down the establishment of new businesses.
From 2018 to 2020, major work gave the Plaza a facelift. The street needed repairs to underground infrastructure, its canopy needed replacing and facades needed renovating thanks to a financial program offered by the City of Montreal.
Ultimately, in 2020, the new canopy was installed and brought renewal to the street. Plaza St-Hubert positions itself as an eclectic street thanks to its diverse communities. This decade marks a coexistence between renowned brands and the ambition of younger entrepreneurs.
In 2021, the Plaza St-Hubert SDC celebrated its 40th anniversary.