The
food industry is a very competitive field where the need to stand out from the competition is necessary. For the Viau family, including co-owners and sister and brother Veronique and Alexandre, food is practically part of their genetic code.
The story began in May 1975 when their father and uncle opened a fruit and vegetable kiosk under the name Viau et frères. Until 1980, it was only open during the summer and fall season, seven months a year.
However, the popularity of their business gave an incentive to the Viau brothers to open the doors to the fruit store year round, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Over the years the fruit and vegetable kiosk went through a metamorphosis, going from a simple fruit store into a full-service grocery: butcher, bakery, deli meats and cheeses, fruits and vegetables and many other non-perishable products.
Following the success of their grocery store, the Viau brothers started up two other businesses, on Île-Perrot and in Rigaud, but it is the one located in Vaudreuil-Dorion that was the most successful.
Since the fruit never falls far from the tree, Alexandre, son of the founder, joined the company in 1997 and was able to learn from the experience of his father.
A few years later, Alexandre’s sister, Véronique joined her brother in the company that became Viau et fils. And as pointed out by Veronique. “The story of Viau et fils is known and recognized by many. We are proud of this entrepreneurial success and especially our family success, because that is what matters most. So 38 years in business in Vaudreuil-Dorion, at the same address and with the same passion.”
In the summer of 2012 the Sobeys family, the owner of IGA in Quebec contacted the Viau family. Noting the success of Viau et fils groceries, Sobeys asked them to purchase and manage the new IGA Extra supermarket that the company would open in Vaudreuil-Dorion. Thus IGA Extra Famille Viau became a reality in 2013.
Lucien and Élyse Viau take great pride in their children, Véronique and Alexandre. They are convinced that they will successfully continue the work they started nearly 40 years ago. Véronique and Alexandre also want to grow the entrepreneurial strength they inherited from their father.
In addition, concern for the environment was taken into account during the construction of the building. To demonstrate a more environmentally responsible behaviour, some measures were put in place: energy saving equipment, a CO2 refrigeration system, electronic faucets to reduce water consumption, low emission paint and sealant of volatile organic compounds and the development of fabric ventilation ducts in the ceiling and composting.