This year, the Ellyson family celebrates the 70th anniversary of its Louis’ Luncheonette restaurants in Sherbrooke. The recipe for success according to its owners: Respecting the customers.

When we are respectful, we do what is best for them and to last a long time. We must be disciplined, says Louis’ restaurant owner Pierre Ellyson.

Louis Balawyder founded the first Louis’ restaurant in 1949. After travelling with his mobile canteen for a few years, he found a permanent location next to the Aylmer bridge. In 1969, 50 years ago, Yvon Ellyson took over.

He ran a barber shop in the bus terminal, right next door to the restaurant. Pierre Ellyson believes that his father most likely knew Mr. Balawyder at that time.

Over the years, Louis’ restaurants have not shied away from adapting to their customers’ tastes even if the requests were sometimes surprising for Mr. Ellyson. My downtown manager told me that customers were asking for veggie burgers. We've been buying hormone-free beef for a long time. I was so proud of my beef and now, I’m selling beef-free burgers. It was hard, but I figured we should try it. I was astounded! People also asked me for a gluten-free poutine sauce. I said we'd see. Again, my jaw dropped. And it went on, and on, and on. It’s about listening to what people tell you.

Après toutes ces années, M. Ellyson travaille encore dans le bonheur. Je viens travailler en sifflant. La minute où j’aurai perdu le sifflet, on pensera à passer le flambeau à quelqu’un d’autre. Je ne peux pas faire ça éternellement, mais pour le moment, je peux en faire encore un bout.

Il n’est pas le seul. Plusieurs de ses employés y travaillent depuis 30 et même 40 ans.

Source et vidéo: Radio-Canada

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1149602/70-ans-louis-luncheonette-sherbrooke-pierre-ellyson