Tiny chairs are tucked next to the counters, perfect nooks and crannies for wee ones to crawl around while moms catch up. Lounge chairs and benches are covered with inviting overstuffed pillows. Sunflowers tower in front of urban farm-fresh produce today its cucumbers, apples, and potatoes. French linen dresses hang in the window illuminated by another sunny day. Customers expertly crafted coffees are delivered to small marble tables with care.
In only two years, Le Marché St. George has become a place people come to meet, enjoy, shop and indulge. Its a unique concept a market and a café which owner Janaki Larsen created as a European-inspired, rustic haven. The menu is small; quiches, flatbreads and sandwiches are served on antique silver platters and fine bone china. Its well-curated shelves invite shoppers to stop, admire, and discover new, mostly local, must-have staples with some luxurious handmade items thrown in for good measure.
I love grocery shopping. While sourcing for products I have been reintroduced to Vancouver as a wildly creative community of artisanal producers, Larsen says. Le Marché features a selection of dry-cured sausages from D-Original Sausage Co., rich and creamy farmhouse cheeses, and freshly made croissants, tarts, and baguettes brought in daily from Tartine and other bakeries.
The idea for the café was just a dream until a neighbour called Larsen to let her know the building she had been eyeing came up for sale. I was seven months pregnant and wanted to leave the film industry. I had this fantasy of owning a café, standing behind the counter with the baby on my hip, she says. I had no idea what I was getting into and our friends thought I was crazy.
Together with her husband, Pascal Roy, and aunt, Marie Brennan, they bought the building and just a few months later that they were in the backyard toasting with a glass of wine to their new home and business. It really was crazy but I love it so much.
Larsen is responsible for the design of the space. Her travels to Montreal and Europe and a childhood in art-filled homes have heavily influenced the aesthetic. Im a total escapist and love how just going to the post office in Europe can be a beautiful experience. She also looked at many paintings by 17th-century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. His muted palette and dramatic play with light are evident in the interior space. I didnt want a light and airy white room. I wanted it to be dark and rustic. I wanted it to be seriously romantic.
Larsens mother, Patricia, an accomplished painter, has her paintings on the walls and her sister, Klee, another part-owner, exhibits her photography. The sisters love working together and are responsible for the hand-weathered ornate wallpaper that looks like its from a turn-of-the-century ballroom thats seen better days.
It took us days, Larsen admits. We applied the wallpaper then painted over it, scraped it, rubbed in coffee grounds and just kept it going til it looked right. The result is a dark and dreamy, rustic finish that is perfect for pondering over an exceptionally good latté.
As a whole, Le Marché has been unfolding in a very organic way. A local beekeeper keeps a couple of hives on the garage roof. The flat upstairs is getting booked with out-of-town guests. A collection of sommeliers, artists, chefs and musicians pop up monthly to collaborate on wine tastings, dinners, shows, recitals and talks.
These ticketed events usually sell out within the day the posters go up on the front counter.
I dont even have to plan events anymore people just approach us now because they want to be a part of the family.
4393 St. George at the corner of 28th | 604-565-5107 | MarcheStGeorge.com
