The 150-year-old general store of a small municipality in Estrie is for sale and the couple who own the business want the next owners to preserve the heritage value of the building, which is part of the history of the municipality.

Patrice Dupont, owner of the J.H Martin store in the municipality of Racine, believes that trade is still important for citizens, both to have access to essential goods, such as bread and milk, and for the historical charge.

"It is certain that we would like it to continue to serve everyone and keep its primary vocation", that is to say a general store.

Patrice Dupont and his wife Isabelle Caron have been owners for 35 years.

“We thought it was a 15-year project. In the end, we spent our lives here,” said Mr. Dupont.

He explained that the founder, James Henri Martin, had inaugurated the first restaurant in the city, annexed to the shop.

The general store was built between 1872 and 1884; the exact date being unknown.

The owners, like the citizens of Racine, hope that a new buyer will soon be interested in continuing the tradition by taking over the general store that is part of the landscape.

- Based on information from Anick Berger, TVA Nouvelles