There are two ways to approach the recent opening of the tea room “Lucette”, to Chantilly. Either we are delighted to see a new brand opening its doors, or we are surprised at the opening of this establishment right next to a store offering the same services.
So let’s start with the first option because it is above all a beautiful story, that of Claire and Julie. They have always cultivated a sincere friendship and share a common passion for delicious food. After scouring the markets near Asnières-sur-Oise, the two epicureans Claire Bourillot, previously a school teacher in Goussainville in Val-d’Oise, and Julie Houbron, a rental management accountant in a real estate company in Paris, decided to base their activity in premises on Place Omer-Vallon, in Chantilly.
A long-term project
“We were discussing our projects and we wanted to set up a tea room,” says Julie. First it was the markets, a year and a half ago, and then we applied for premises with the Chantilly town hall. There were several of us and in the end we were selected.” Julie’s accounting skills helped them set up their project, as did the pastry CAP obtained in 2020 by Claire.
“After some embellishment work and the fitting out of a kitchen, we were able to launch our business” say the two friends. Claire, macaron specialist, in the kitchen and Julie in the dining room: the duo is ready for adventure. The opening of their catering store took place on Wednesday December 11th. And it works. “We made around a hundred place settings,” enthuse Claire and Julie, delighted with this flying start. Since that date, attendance at their tea room has not decreased, to their great satisfaction. The tea room offers sweet and savory dishes to eat on site or to take away. On weekends, they offer a brunch service.
They decided to name their business after Julie’s grandmother’s first name. Lucette has her portrait displayed on a wall of the store.
The tea room next door
Let us now move on to the second possible reading of this event. And let’s give the floor to those responsible for Audace florale. “The business chosen by the municipality, owner of the premises, to establish itself next to Audace florale and its tea room is therefore, as incredible as it may seem, a tea room,” they note. Installing a tea room next to an existing tea room is a mistake and a total lack of consideration for our work and that provided for many years in this town. Coming to set up adjacent to an already existing business which offers the same thing (a tea room is a tea room) totally lacks personal ethics and morals.”
The managers of Audace Florale, a florist since 1996, changed their concept five years ago by adding a tea room and a flea market to its primary activity, in order to cope with an increasingly difficult economic activity…
“With this innovative concept, we were able to satisfy customers wanting to take a moment of relaxation in a timeless boutique,” they continue. But nothing is ever acquired. Covid, the war in Ukraine and inflation are hurting many small traders and we fight every day to sustain our business. Keen to boost local commerce, the municipality has decided to buy commercial premises in order to choose which shops can set up there. Boosting a local business by weakening another business? A very curious effort from the municipality to help us!”
The mayor assumes her choice
We can understand the annoyance, not to say anger, of those responsible for Audace florale. But what does the town hall say? “The idea is to liven up and energize Place Omer-Vallon,” explains Isabelle Wojtowiez, the mayor of Chantilly. The two establishments do not offer quite the same thing. We wanted a business that offers brunches, in Chantilly. This will be the case for the new tea room. Our objective is obviously not to annoy Audace florale but rather to offer maximum services to Cantilians.” Eric Woerth, the MP, is of the same opinion as Isabelle Wojtowiez. “In Paris,” he notes, “bars, brasseries and restaurants follow one another. I think it’s good for business. There is a clientele and work for these two establishments, I am convinced.”
Time will tell if the mayor’s choice was wise. Or not.
Frédéric NORMAND and Jean-Jacques MANACH
