In the Wilson district, traders are happy to meet their customers for the holidays, and vice versa. If the Pasteur and Auxonne streets are not decorated as in previous years, the windows of the craftsmen are full of details that delight young and old.
A real neighborhood life animates the rue d’Auxonne, which is not to be outdone by the other shopping street connected to the Place Wilson, the rue Pasteur. Several bakeries and pastry shops complement each other. The same goes for butchers and caterers. As for them, hairdressers compete in inventiveness.
This Wednesday, December 23, 2020, most stores have put on their party clothes even if they are not as extensive as in previous years.
“People are still happy to see the Christmas decorations”
Vendor at Maison Roger – la Fournée de Woodrow, Baptiste Sourd decorated the bakery with accessories from previous years and new decorations provided by the parent company. “It’s to keep the store alive,” the seller explains. On a table visible through the window, snowmen were playing. A natural Christmas tree reigns supreme inside the store.
Despite the health crisis, “people are still happy to see the Christmas decorations” notes Baptiste Sourd who adds that “we see children who have a smile”. This encourages you to have fun with the logs prepared especially for the holidays.
Olivier Leroy, manager of Laiterie Gilbert, had a well-defined idea for the decoration of the dairy: a snow-covered Christmas tree accompanied by blue and silver balls, in keeping with the blue and white front. The purchases were made expressly for the end of 2020 and the decoration installed from November 13th. “There are enough of this mood a little gloomy, a little anxiety” laments the manager.
“Customers are loyal”
The Carole Fleurs store is managed by Valérie Dautel who regrets the lack of visibility with regard to government measures. The florist fears a sudden re-containment which would lead to a loss of stock: “it’s day to day but we have to fill the store; I don’t see myself having nothing in my shop during the holidays, people have to have a choice ”. In 2019, a decorator took charge of the exterior of the store. This year, the manager has opted for sobriety: “the festive side is there but it is not the same scale as usual”.
Fortunately, customers are present and are interested in everything that Valérie Dautel offers: “people are not looking at the price, people are giving in to buy.” The florist notes a phenomenon of relaxation after confinement. “The customers are loyal, they are happy to see us again, they always have a little note, frankly, it’s nice,” said Valérie Dautel with a certain emotion. “We can see that they like their small businesses” adds the florist.
Jean-Christophe Tardivon
The most beautiful Christmas windows in the Antiques district
Launch of the end-of-year illuminations
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