The elders of Margny-lès-Compiègne remember that this place was once a dance hall. Before becoming a small neighborhood cinema and closing its doors permanently. All that remained at the pediment was the art deco style sign which today recalls the past of La Gaité. This abandoned place is reborn in the form of a covered markethousing eight traders.
This resurrection is the fact ofAlexis Le Droumaguet And Nicolas Gauthier. The latter ran a company manufacturing wooden furniture for stores and businesses. As the storage space in their factory became too small, the duo left to look for new premises. By chance in a classified ad, he discovered this former dancing cinema located at 150 rue Jean-Jaurès in Margny-lès-Compiègne.
“Offering quality to consumers”
“When we saw this architecture, we were seduced,” they summarize. Here they are off for seven months of work with the aim of bringing this covered market project to life. “We want to offer products from local producers,” says Alexis Le Droumaguet. Retailers like us who are keen to offer quality so that consumers can eat better. And as Margny lacked catering trades, it was the ideal place. Here we want to recreate a place where we can also meet and exchange.”
Managers will set up tables and chairs to offer tastings of the products on sale. Eight exhibitors have already found their mark at the Gaité market. Greengrocers, fishmonger, butcher, cheesemonger, pastry shop and delicatessen. And soon an Asian caterer.
In this spirit, Crêperie Madame, already present in the pedestrian area of Compiègne, will set up at the Gaîté market.
The Art of Biscuits for Deliciousness
You can find “L’Art du biscuit” held from Tuesday to Sunday by Béatrice Clouet. “The place inspired me,” says Béatrice. She worked for a long time in supermarkets and for the benefit of institutions such as the University of Picardy. He was missing the essential: contact with the public. “The important thing is to please people, to offer them original, quality products and to talk about them with them.”
Béatrice’s stand offers cakes like her pink Reims biscuits with strawberries and white chocolate as well as gluten-free specialties… We also discover chocolate with peanut butter, Christmas gingerbreads with flour and honey from chestnut or the original little “vegan” teddy bears or edible flowers.
“I bring very personal things,” confides Béatrice, who aligns the products of the Compagnie des Poivres et spices with soon bulk mixtures that she will be able to deliver to restaurateurs. Olive oil from Italy, 10-year-old vinegar from Portugal, truffle chips, walnut and hazelnut oil, balsamic vinegar, poultry spread, candied vegetables…
Live from the sea
Not far away, Sébastien Triquet, fishmonger from Boulogne-sur-Mer, has set up shop with Stephen and Daniel. Present on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, this fishmonger meets the needs of the local population.
“I really liked this market, and food shops are essential here,” notes Sébastien. For example, I suggest this Poilée Boulonnaise where everything is ready. There’s nothing to add, just cook.” The fishmonger favors regional products but also offers Scottish salmon and Turkish sea bream.
At Max primeur, taste comes first!
His stall is as appetizing as it is colorful. Colombian bananas go well with pumpkins, oranges for juice, lettuce salads or potatoes and green vegetables. “At Max primeur, it’s taste above all!”, says the house.
Accustomed to open-air markets, Maxime Gregor is enjoying his installation at the Gaité market. “We are no longer subject to weather conditions and our stands are fixed, no need to take the goods out and in the trucks every day.”
Former beneficiary of the CC2V nursery in Longueil-Annel, this greengrocer was looking for the ideal place to develop his business. “The opening of this market here is a welcome opportunity for me. I always told myself that I had to find this kind of place to develop my business. Especially since I will be delivering to restaurateurs and therefore having premises was very important.” His stand receives a continuous flow of customers from Tuesday to Saturday.
Sonia’s jewelry
A small box located at the entrance to the Gaité market has been transformed into a presentation room for Sonia Sionhamed. She exhibits the jewelry she creates under her Sowsi brand. Born 8 months ago, the brand was until now only visible on the internet www.sowsi.fr
At the entrance to his salon-boutique, the sign made up of lines that form a four-leaf clover could well bring him luck. “It’s a great step in my project and it’s also a sharing of values with those who drive Gaité and its history,” remarks Sonia. This mother of three children left the Paris region and her professional activity at the time.
“Alexis Le Droumaguet knew my professional path and encouraged me to settle here. I found this vintage side there that I like and I will be able to develop my creations there.
Exceptionally, a stand was set up for two days in the Gaité entrance hall. “It’s a hospitality boutique that allows you to make yourself known,” explains Emilie Audinet. This defines itself as “creator of escape”. Under its Le Secret des Sylphes brand, it offers scented vegetable wax candles which are already present on its website www.lesecretdessylphes.com.
“I’m here for two days this weekend to make myself known.”
