POP Shoes is the first love and business story of the Côté-Reco group. It all started in 1920 (yes, really!) in Deschaillons-sur-Saint-Laurent, where Lucien Côté ran a family general store. Even then, the man had big ambitions and managed to develop a remarkable wholesale network, which his son Réal later took over. The latter founded the POP Shoes franchises and rapidly developed the Commercial Group.
A family story, a beautiful and proud one to carry on after three long generations of passion. And where there is family, there are deeply rooted values and shared traditions. That’s why here are some holiday ritual stories, very much from our home, that will inspire you or, at the very least, allow you to get to know these wonderful people who love working for you so much!
David Lacasse, owner of the POP Shoes St-Georges store
At David’s, the holidays find their heart in that of three beautiful children to whom they want to give moments of reflection on the past year, through a small personalized jar.
Indeed, not only are the holiday evenings animated by family board games, but everyone also enjoys wearing their new pajamas. The children drink hot chocolate, and the parents have special little cocktails.
Together, David and his family open and discover the jar of beautiful family memories from the year, written on small pieces of paper. Throughout the year, whenever a family member experiences a special moment, he or she writes it down and places it in the memory jar. The tradition is to read its contents together during the family Christmas Eve. To remember, celebrate, and love!
David Côté-Tremblay, senior designer
At David’s, the primary holiday tradition was established by his parents: the red ball Christmas tree! The family activity takes place as soon as the first snow falls in December. It starts with a sled, ATV, or snowmobile ride and consists of looking for a tree decorated with red balls. And this tree, chosen by the magic of Christmas, shows them with its red balls that it is the one to cut and bring home to decorate!
Richard McDonald, buyer
For Richard, street shinny hockey after dinner and before desserts and cheeses is at the top of winter rituals and holiday traditions. The highlight of the evening: a fire near the rink to warm up while admiring the ice surface, the result of several hours of hard work!
Catherine Jacques, buyer
Catherine shares a precious holiday tradition with her mother and has recently introduced her son to it!
Since her youth and continuing to this day, they decorate a large tree together that reigns in the center of a playful and well-stocked Christmas village. What a joy now that she is an adult to double the pleasure; indeed, the Christmas ritual now happens both at her home and her mother’s.
Claudie Laroche, marketing director
For Claudie, the heart is festive when the stomachs are well fed. Tourtière and sandwich bread—if these classics aren’t there, it just doesn’t feel right! And while over the years many have swapped the well-wrapped gift for a less personalized gift card, Claudie and her family make a point of having a proper unwrapping session every year.
Annie Auger, IT support and assistance director
Here, pleasure also comes through the belly: at Annie’s, they cook a turkey, a ham, and eggs to make long sliced cheese breads, or sandwich bread. The annual tradition is teamwork: everyone sits at the table, one family member starts by spreading turkey slices, a second spreads ham, the third the eggs, and a fourth person stacks the bread in layers. It’s a team effort, and everyone takes great pleasure in tasting the culinary creation afterward.
Mylène Malenfant, owner of the POP Shoes Rivière-du-loup store
Here too, fun happens outdoors: a family sledding day followed by a good hot chocolate, skating on the frozen lake, which ends up as a huge surface for playing hockey. But beyond winter sports, there are also elves caught using a trap and chocolate, starting in early December. And what is their favorite naughty trick? They hide the winter boots!
While the elves play pranks, the family opens their hearts to children from disadvantaged families by buying some gifts to offer them. They want to teach the younger ones about sharing and the desire to give.
Renée Madore, owner of the POP Shoes in Madawaska
The owner of the Madawaska store, Renée, has a 19-year-old employee who is truly dedicated, involved, and committed. The teenager especially liked a pair of boots and decided to save five dollars from each paycheck to buy them. Renée, to reward her for her good service, kindly decided to give them to her as a Christmas gift. Awww…!
Nina Tremblay, graphic designer
Nina and her boyfriend love Christmas! They buy each other advent calendars filled with good chocolate. In their cozy two-person nest, without children, they want to create beautiful traditions just for themselves around Christmas and the holidays. Moreover, this period is synonymous with beautiful memories since they met during this time!
The lovebirds, starting mid-November, take out one or two Christmas decorations per week. From a small Christmas plush llama lovingly placed in the living room to the stair railing adorned with dense greenery, the final touch is, of course, the Christmas tree they decorate while listening to ambient music and enjoying homemade mulled wine.
Sophie Maillé, graphic designer
Sophie just moved into a new house with her boyfriend, her puppy Tom, and her cat Trivia. Alas, no tree or nativity scene would survive their energy! Yet, it’s not for lack of wanting to decorate the house. However, she smiles remembering the tradition in her family home where her mother pays special attention to the nativity’s heroes. "Under the dress of the Mary figure, there is a hollow that allows mom to slip in baby Jesus. When midnight strikes on the night of the 24th to the 25th, she takes him out to officially mark his birth," she laughs.
Hélène Harvey, manager of POP Shoes Châteauguay
A native of the Lac tourtière kingdom, for Hélène there are no celebrations without this huge and delicious recipe to share. "I take a month in advance to make desserts that have been cooked for generations in my family," she explains. At the start of the meal, there is the presentation of the traditional chicken broth—which her children don’t find so good, but she insists on it!—which is always the first dish served on the full table at Christmas Eve. Then come the GUMBO breads, meat pies, and of course, the essential tourtière. "Naming all this brings on emotions because these are traditions that have been part of my childhood until today. I still see the big family gathered, with my brothers, grandparents, aunts, and uncles all around the table," she concludes nostalgically.
Donald Robitaille, supervisor
For about ten years, the excellent spaghetti sauce signed by Donald Robitaille, supervisor of POP Shoes stores, was found on many tables in Quebec City! Why? Because every year, in a burst of generosity, he would visit organizations in his area to get the names of three families in need. He then made sure to do their grocery shopping between December 20 and 23. “I dressed up as Santa Claus and personally handed them the food along with a jug of spaghetti sauce. Often, it ended up being a party! (laughs),” he still recalls emotionally, remembering the reactions it sparked.
Carolene Tessier, manager of POP Shoes in Hawkesbury
The magic of Christmas at Carolene Tessier’s begins early in December. On the first morning, the elves come out of hiding to multiply their mischief until December 24. The second week, the fireplace is lit, Christmas songs play on loop, then the tree lights up. The day ends with watching one of the movies from the Home Alone series until everyone falls asleep. "It’s one of the best times of the year!" Carolene enthuses.
Alain Pitre, new POP Shoes franchisee in New Richmond
Already a store owner and new POP Shoes franchisee, Alain Pitre has been offering an initiative in collaboration with the Knights of Columbus in his region for 7 years now. It involves a tree with several envelopes containing the gender and age of a child living in a family in need. Customers take an envelope and then bring back a gift for that child. The Knights of Columbus then ensure the distribution of the gifts a few days before Christmas Eve. "Every year, no envelope is left on the tree. Our customers are very generous!" proudly explains Sara Kim Bourdages, web and communications manager.
And you, what are your most beautiful traditions? The holidays are a time for sharing, and as every time we meet and advise you during your in-store purchases, exchanging is for our team the true gift behind every year spent by your side!
