Always there, since 1973
Written by Carrefour de l'Estrie | October 8, 2023
Carrefour de l’Estrie officially opened its doors on October 10, 1973. Fifty years later, we can see the important role it has played in the urban, commercial and community development of the region. Over the years and through the seasons, it has maintained its position as the fashion destination of the Eastern Townships.
At the beginning of 1973, the proximity to the Eastern Townships highway (Highway 10) was a major argument in favor of the site for the future regional shopping center. Its name, Carrefour de l’Estrie, clearly reflects the desired character of attractiveness and unity.
From the moment it opened on October 10, 1973, the Carrefour de l’Estrie had 50 stores offering variety and quality to its customers. One of the best-known shops and the first to open its doors was the Simpsons-Sears store, which alone created 400 jobs.
Less than 10 years after it opened, the Carrefour de l’Estrie had more than 100 shops. In the mid-1980s, work requiring an investment of 10 million dollars was carried out: it included the construction of a new wing with space for 60 new shops.75pt;margin-left: 0cm;text-align:justify;background:#E9A320;vertical-align:baseline;box-sizing: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;background-position-x:0px;background-position-y: 0px;word-spacing:0px;”>Other major works then took place around 2000 and then 2016.
The Carrefour de l’Estrie is also a place for entertainment! Of course, there was the Famous Players cinema (from 1973 to 2000), but we mustn’t forget the occasional events, which are sometimes very colorful. From hot air balloon displays (outdoors) to visits from Father Christmas, book fairs, parades and musical performances, there’s something for everyone!
The Carrefour de l’Estrie is much more than a group of shops, it is also a living environment with emblematic features. Even though it has been absent from the landscape for more than 20 years, the famous fountain is still very much present in everyone’s memories…
Over the years, hundreds of shops have opened at Carrefour de l’Estrie. Some of the big-box stores have been doing business there for decades, such as Pascal, Eaton’s, Sears and Zellers, but also smaller businesses such as La Jonquille and la Crémière. Of the original 50 shops, eight are still there, half a century later!
A look back at our festive event
