SINCE 1848 KIROUACS IN COMMERCIAL VENTURES IN QUEBEC CITY The - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

SINCE 1848

KIROUACS IN COMMERCIAL VENTURES IN QUEBEC CITY  The history of the Kirouacs involved in commerce in Quebec City revolves mainly around the family of François Kirouac (1826-1896) who was also the mayor of Saint-Sauveur.  Other Kirouac families were also involved in commercial ventures in Quebec City, but none for as long as the descendants of Chevalier François, a great man who had such a profound influence of Quebec City during the second half of the XIXe century.

The Pioneers: FRANÇOIS KIROUAC AND HIS FAMILY In 1848, François opened a novelty store, Followed by a grocery store in 1850, Then from retail sales went into wholesale of flour and grains until 1896. François Kirouac (1826-1896) Napoléon- Cyrille Joseph- Eugène Joseph Georges Arthur

Company F. KIROUAC & SON 1880-1890 Joseph-Arthur Kirouac, the first of François' sons to follow in his father's footsteps. Until he started his own business in 1888, Joseph-Arthur was associated with his father in F . Kirouac & Son. Then he would be the first one in this Kirouac line to get into the toy business in Quebec City.

Company F. KIROUAC & SONS 1890-1929 In 1890, Cyrille and Napoléon-Georges take over from their father. Starting in 1900, Napoléon- Georges, besides his interest in the family company, adds his own enterprise: Napoléon-G. Kirouac & Co. , stockbroker, finances, real estate and investments. Napoléon-Georges Cyrille (whose son, Charles-Antoine (Father of Brother Kirouac was a medical doctor Marie-Victorin) at the Magdalen Islands among various places.)

F. Kirouac & Sons warehouse Port of Quebec (City), Louise Basin around 1900 Port de Québec, Bassin Louise vers 1900 Photo : Quebec City Archives

F. Kirouac & Sons In 1923, a fire destroys the warehouses. After Cyrille Kirouac's death in 1921, his two sons-in-law take over the management of the company: Arthur Drolet becomes president, and Edouard Laurin vice-president. In 1929, the company is dissolved. Photo : Quebec City Archives.

Kirouac & Frère (Brother) , grocers Saint-Vallier Street, Quebec City The company Kirouac & Frère was founded in 1899 Joseph Kirouac Philippe-Eugène Kirouac (1871-1919) (1866-1948)

Kirouac & Frère and P. E. Kirouac Starting in 1908, a hardware store is added to the grocery. In 1935, the commerce is ceded to a Mrs. Gauvin from Montreal. Ten years later, it is replaced by Magasin Latulippe (Latulippe Store).

Origin of the Kirouac Toy stores in Quebec City

Pruneau & Kirouac and Librairie Montmorency-Laval (bookstore) from 1888 to 1907 In 1888, Joseph-Arthur Kirouac, one of François's sons, and his associate, Odilon Pruneau, own and manage two stores. From 1888 to 1896, Pruneau & Kirouac is located at 28 Côte de la Fabrique in Old Quebec. In 1896, the business moves to 46 Côte de la Fabrique in Old Quebec. Joseph-Arthur Kirouac The store burns down in 1904. (1853-1935)

J. A. Kirouac & Co. Founded in 1908, J. A. Kirouac sells, retail and wholesale, books and church supplies, imported gifts and toys. From 1914 onward, the store is located at 34-36 Côte de la Fabrique. Just a year later, J. Arthur opens a new store in Limoilou, on 8th Avenue; in 1916, this store moves to 177 on 5th Street in Limoilou. Joseph-Arthur Kirouac (1853-1935)

Fire is once more part of the history of the Kirouac business in Quebec City In 1936, during the winter, fire destroys the bookstore founded by Joseph- Arthur Kirouac on Côte de la Fabrique close to the (renown) Livernois photo studio. In 1938, the Kirouac store that used to be on Côte de la Fabrique moves to 3-4 Saint- Jean Street at the corner of Collin Street.

A NEW GENERATION CARRIES ON In 1935, after his father’s death, Ernest Kirouac takes over managing J. A. Kirouac & Co. After working with his father from 1919 on, Marcel Kirouac starts his own business and opens Librairie Marcel Kirouac (Bookstore), selling stationery, religious supplies and toys. Odilon becomes a travelling salesman. After working with his brother Ernest at J. A. Kirouac & Co ., Émile opens his own business producing and selling post cards, funeral cards and greeting cards. Ernest Kirouac Marcel Kirouac Odilon Kirouac Émile Kirouac (1884-1945) (1901-1968) (1892-1950) (1895-1971)

Once more fire destroys J. A. Kirouac Limited On 12 May 1956, for the third time, fire destroys J. A. Kirouac . After 68 years of operation, J. A. Kirouac Limited finally closes down. Robert Kirouac, Ernest's son and Joseph-Arthur's grandson, takes over the business after his father's death in 1945.

But this is not the end of the story . . . Two other sons of Joseph-Arthur carry on the adventure Librairie Marcel Kirouac (bookstore) selling stationary, religious objects and toys will be in business from 1941 to 1968 Marcel Kirouac (1901-1968) At first, Odilon worked with his father Joseph-Arthur, than later he joined his brother, Marcel at the Librairie Marcel Kirouac as travelling salesman. His descendants will carry on the toy business. Odilon Kirouac (1892-1950)

The commercial gene is transmetted to the next generation Odilon Kirouac , Marcel Kirouac, Son of J.-A. Kirouac Son of J.-A. Kirouac (1901-1968) (1892-1950) Guy et Marcel Kirouac G & M Kirouac Owners from 1966 to 1968 Guy and Marcel Kirouac Owners from 1968 to 1975 Guy, Paul and Jean-Luc Owners from 1975 to 1988 Paul and Jean-Luc Kirouac Guy Kirouac Paul Kirouac Jean-Luc (1925-1975) (1929-2001) Kirouac (1927-2016)

Expanding the toy commerce Odilon Kirouac, son of J.A. Kirouac (1892-1950) Kirouac 5-10-15 The five- and ten-cent store 3 rd Avenue, Limoilou (Quebec) Owners from 1952 to 1975 Guy and Thérèse (Hébert) Kirouac Owner from 1975 to 1977 Thérèse Hébert-Kirouac Guy Kirouac Thérèse Hébert- (1925-1975) Kirouac (1927-2014)

One more fire in the history of the Kirouac stores 20 February 1971 The five- and ten-cent store on 3rd Avenue in Limoilou, Quebec Fifth fire in the history of this Kirouac branch of retailers/wholesalers in Quebec City.

In spite of fires, the flame still burns bright and a new generation picks up the torch Kirouac 5-10-15 General store 1952-1975 Owners : Guy Kirouac and Thérèse (Hébert) Kirouac, Thérèse H. K. is sole owner : 1975 -1977 Their thee sons took over after them. Guy Kirouac Thérèse (Hébert) Kirouac (1925-1975) (1927-2014) André Kirouac François Kirouac Jacques Kirouac

130 years on, the name KIROUAC is always present in the toy business in Quebec City G & M Kirouac Bought back by André Kirouac in 1989 Move from Place Sainte-Foy to Place Laurier (shopping malls) Magasin Kirouac Inc . 1980 to 1990 and Jouets A. Kirouac Galeries de la Capitale (shopping mall) André Kirouac 2004 to 2013 Owner: André Kirouac Magasin Kirouac (Hobbys, Toys, School Supplies) 1990 to 1996 Owners, Guy’s three sons: André, François and Jacques Kirouac 1997 to 2004 Owner: François Kirouac François Jacques

KIROUAC BUSINESS IN 2018 D.I.K. Distribution Jouets K.I.D.* *Kirouac Importation & Distribution 1987 to present Owner: André Kirouac André Kirouac Club Jouet (Bouvier Street location) 1993 to present Owner: André Kirouac Q.T.M. Hobby Shop (Québec Téléguidé & Modéliste ) Scale models and drones specialist 1999 to present Owner: Jacques Kirouac Jacques Kirouac

SUCCESS … SUCCESSION … André Kirouac and his son, Marc-André, now the sixth generation in business since the arrival in Quebec City of the young François Kirouac in 1840, who became a successful wholesaler in flour and grains.

KIROUAC FAMILY ASSOCIATION INC. 2018 François Kirouac Research: André Kirouac, Céline Kirouac, François Kirouac and Gilles Kirouac Photos credits: Quebec City Archives, Kirouac Family Association Inc. , descendants of Joseph-Arthur Kirouac. Translation: Marie Lussier Timperley for the Kirouac Family Association Inc. (2019)