By Caitlin Kelly / Special to the Lakeshore News Reporter
As a young girl Rachelle Chandler, owner of La Belle Fromage, would make frequent trips with her family to Quebec.
She described her favourite part of her childhood travels – visiting the local artisanal businesses – often run out of the homes of local residents.
This experience, Rachelle shares, inspired her to add owning and operating her own artisanal goods business to her bucket list.
Describing herself as more of a “jumper” than a “dreamer”, she indicated “she has always had the belief that if you have an idea, you should go for it,” – and that’s just what Chandler did.
After a successful career in nursing, Rachelle decided she was going to “go for it” and open her own business.
She recalled purchasing a commercial refrigerator and some local artisan cheese and converting an area of her home to a business space.
As support for the business grew, La Belle Fromage quickly outgrew its space in her home.
Rachelle, along with business partner Paula Hall, began brainstorming ideal locations for their business to plant its roots.
As long-term Belle River residents themselves, both Rachelle and Paula are familiar with the close-knit community and saw the benefits of a main street location. Additionally, Rachelle has strong ties to the Belle River business community, noting her meme and pepe owned Harpe’s Hardware years ago, with a brick on the façade of what it is now Uptown Gifts and Collectables still displaying the Harpe name.
Now an established member of the Belle River business community themselves, La Belle Fromage is celebrating its 5th year at 519 Notre Dame St.
Rachelle and Paula first met when their children, now grown, played hockey together. As their children remained close throughout the years, Rachelle described feeling as though life came full circle when she and Paula reconnected for what she calls their ‘business adventure.’
Rachelle explained both she and Paula share a love of good food and supporting small business…a natural fit.
“We both enjoy hearing the stories behind the business adventures of others,” said Chandler.
With this spirit, the business partners strive to share the stories of each Canadian company featured in the store, as well as their own adventure, which helps customers feel ‘at home’ while shopping, truly capturing the essence of a small-town community.
The adventure has not always been easy for the business partners, facing a global pandemic, as well as Paula’s personal health journey following a breast cancer diagnosis.
“We are humbled by the way the community has rallied around the business during difficult times, noting the support, prayers and concern for Paula during the hardest days.” shared Rachelle.
Chandler indicated customers attend the store daily and share their support for Paula, dropping off gifts and asking “How they could help?”
Today, Rachelle shares a positive update, saying Paula has fought hard, pushed this past year and will be back in the store soon.
When asked to share one of the keys to success that has helped La Belle Fromage stand out, Rachelle highlighted the way she and Paula have always trusted their own ideas, which she indicated “often don’t follow the crowd”.
Whatever the strategy, it is certainly effective as La Belle Fromage has proven itself as a must-stop shop in Belle River.
Whether you are looking for artisanal Canadian cheese, local honey or coffee, daily home-made lunch specials or their delicious dips, scones and countless other treats, you are guaranteed to leave La Belle Fromage with a couple new friends, a happy heart and a full belly.
Great Story, Hope to come to the store in May.