Rencontre avec Eric, Ryan et «Chops»| Série Portraits de commerçants & de professionnels de Côte-des-Neiges

As part of the Portraits of merchants & professionals of Côte-des-Neiges project, we invited Zeineb Khalfallah (@zeineb_conscience on Instagram) to join us in our visit of 11 businesses of the SDC Côte-des-Neiges who have participated in the project. In addition to the exhibition on Promenade Jean-Brillant of the pictures taken by Drowster and Gaëlle Leroyer, Zeineb shares with us the moments she took with the owners and managers. Learn more about your merchants and professionals of the Côte-des-Neiges district! // Find out more on Zeineb talks and meet Eric, Ryan and ”Chops”, owners of the restaurant Le Petit Vibe!

If you haven’t heard of Le Petit Vibe yet, you’ll definitely want to check it out once you get to know its founders, 4 people who are passionate about their craft.

Originally from the Philippines, Eric Lazard, Wilson Luu, Ryan Oabel and Edward Chaillard launched their project to share their love for Hawaiian cuisine and their Filipino roots. Warm, friendly and with a good sense of humor, the young entrepreneurs sat down with us to tell us about the story of Petit Vibe, a restaurant that attracts young people from all cultures with its friendliness and delicious food.

However, before starting our interview, our taste buds were pampered with the restaurant’s signature meal, furikake chicken, and a cantaloupe and calamansi drink that cooled us down in the middle of a heat wave.

“I love to cook at home, I am an avid foodie. Every time Ryan told me I had the talent of a chef! He also have a background in food. Ryan and I started working together by going to pop up events. Little by little, our business grew!” Edward recounts with stars in his eyes.

From one event to another, from Quebec City to Toronto, the restaurant owners have established themselves in the market. Encouraged by their community, they went into business.

A few months before the opening of Petit Vibe, the 4 founders met in Toronto where they participated in a pop up event to serve their famous chicken. The event was so successful that they decided to take their courage in both hands and open their restaurant. “We thought, if we can do this, we can start our own restaurant!” Says Edward with pride. “That was a big one!” Eric completes.

That’s how Le Petit Vibe was born after several successful pop up events by the 4 young entrepreneurs who knew how to combine a passion and a profession. Today, Le Petit Vibe is booming thanks to the determination of Eric, Wilson, Ryan and Edward, but also thanks to the encouragement of their loved ones.

“We’ve received a lot of support from the press, the media and others, but without the love of the neighborhood, without the people in the community who welcome us, we wouldn’t be here. So every time we do outdoor events, everyone comes and tells us how much the neighborhood needs it.” Confides Ryan with great emotion.

Writer-journalist-reviser: Zeineb Khalfallah | Photo credit: Drowster

Complete the experience by visiting the free exhibition on Promenade Jean-Brillant from September 15 to December 5, 2021. Info: here

ABOUT THE PROJECT: Portraits of merchants and professionals of Côte-des-Neiges is a project aimed at connecting citizens with businesses in the territory of the Société de développement commercial (SDC) Côte-des-Neiges. Through a series of portraits taken at 11 businesses and businesses, we discover 16 owners and managers of businesses in the area. This social and cultural project is intended to be a real encounter with the people behind the professional. Through this very first edition, you will discover women and men, young professionals and experienced entrepreneurs, from different cultures, from different backgrounds, offering a varied commercial offer and all having in common their love for Côte-des-Neiges. Discover the exhibition section here on the Promenade Jean-Brillant and continue the experience online thanks to the touching interviews carried out with each of them and available on the SDC Côte-des-Neiges blog and via QR codes on each panel. This project is an initiative and is under the artistic direction of the SDC Côte-des-Neiges. The exhibition component was produced in collaboration with the Maison de la culture Côte-des-Neiges and the Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough.