In the early 1940s, a Saskatchewan businessman, Louis Balawyder, moved to Sherbrooke to open a mobile canteen called Louis’ Mobile Luncheonette. Then, on January 15, 1949, he opened the first Louis’ restaurant, near the Aylmer Bridge, in the city centre. Seventy years later, Louis’ is still a Sherbrooke institution.

Few popular restaurants manage to survive over decades, mainly because of the many American fast food chains that have cropped up over time. In Sherbrooke, only Louis’ Luncheonette has outlasted the invasion.

On January 15, the restaurant celebrated the 70th anniversary of the opening of the first Louis’ Luncheonette, which was downtown at the time, close to the Aylmer Bridge. But even before January 15, 1949, Louis’ Luncheonette was already part of the Sherbrooke story. Its owner, Louis Balawyder, had a mobile canteen that he brought to the terminus every day.

“Mr. Balawyder, originally from Poland, left Saskatchewan for unknown reasons to move to Sherbrooke and start a mobile canteen,” said Pierre Ellyson, president of Louis’ restaurants. “I met his daughters last summer and even they don’t know why their father chose to move to Sherbrooke. Initially, his canteen was a horse-drawn trailer, but we don’t have any photos from that time. Then he had a motorized canteen, and then he opened his first restaurant.”

Pierre Ellyson's father, Yvon Ellyson, bought the already famous restaurant in 1969. We can see the businessman (who died in 2009) on the mural at 364 rue Alexandre. In 1980, a Louis’ restaurant opened on King Street East, and another in 1982, on King Street West. Following the closure of the Louis’ near the Aylmer Bridge in 1989, a brand new Louis’ opened its doors downtown.

And after all these years, what is the secret of Louis’ success? “Respect for our customers, which is reflected in the quality of our food and our excellent service,” said Pierre Ellyson.

Note that Louis’ restaurants use local products. In order to maintain the tradition, today’s employees still wear the same uniform as back in the day (white shirt, bow tie, and bib apron).

Source: EstriePlus (Cynthia Dubé)
http://estrieplus.com/contenu-louis_luncheonette_70_ans_sherbrooke_balawyder_ellyson-1555-45900.html