Renaud-Bray
Encyclopedia
La librairie Renaud-Bray is the largest chain of French-language
bookstores in North America
, and the largest bookstore chain in Canada after Chapters
/Indigo
.
The chain was founded in 1965 by Pierre Renaud and Edmond Bray, with the opening of its first store on Côte-des-Neiges Road
in Montreal
, Quebec
, Canada
. The chain began its expansion in 1978, opening other branches in Montreal (on Laurier Avenue, Saint Denis Street
, Park Avenue
, and Peel Street
). At the same time, it began computerizing its inventory, becoming one of the first bookstores to do so.
In 1995, Renaud-Bray opened a large store on Yonge Street
in Toronto
, Ontario
. This store was a major failure, and in 1996 Renaud-Bray entered bankruptcy
protection. The chain survived, however.
In the summer of 1999, Renaud-Bray purchased two of its competitors in Quebec: Librairie Garneau and Librairie Champigny giving it 23 outlets across the province.
It now has 25 locations.
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
bookstores in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, and the largest bookstore chain in Canada after Chapters
Chapters
Chapters is a Canadian big box bookstore banner owned by Indigo Books and Music. Formerly a company in its own right competing with Indigo, the combined company has continued to operate both banners since their merger in 2001.-History:...
/Indigo
Indigo Books and Music
Indigo Books & Music Inc. is a Canadian retail bookstore chain. The company was founded in 1996 by CEO Heather Reisman, wife of Gerry Schwartz, majority owner and CEO of Onex Corporation....
.
The chain was founded in 1965 by Pierre Renaud and Edmond Bray, with the opening of its first store on Côte-des-Neiges Road
Côte-des-Neiges Road
Côte-des-Neiges Road is a street in Montreal, home to Plaza Côte-des-Neiges and served by Métro Côte-des-Neiges...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The chain began its expansion in 1978, opening other branches in Montreal (on Laurier Avenue, Saint Denis Street
Saint Denis Street
Saint Denis Street is a major north-south thoroughfare in Montreal, Quebec.The street itself extends from the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel on Saint Paul Street in Old Montreal to the bank of the Rivière des Prairies at the north end of the island...
, Park Avenue
Park Avenue, Montreal
Park Avenue is one of central Montreal's major north-south streets. It derives its name from Mount Royal park, by which it runs. Between Mount Royal Avenue and Pine Avenue, the street serves as the boundary between the mountain, to the west, and the smaller Jeanne Mance Park to the east...
, and Peel Street
Peel Street, Montreal
Peel Street is a major north-south street located in downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Street links Pine Avenue, near Mount Royal, in the north and Smith Street, in the Southwest borough, in the south. The street's southern end is at the Peel Basin of the Lachine Canal...
). At the same time, it began computerizing its inventory, becoming one of the first bookstores to do so.
In 1995, Renaud-Bray opened a large store on Yonge Street
Yonge Street
Yonge Street is a major arterial route connecting the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto to Lake Simcoe, a gateway to the Upper Great Lakes. It was formerly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street in the world at , and the construction of Yonge Street is designated an "Event of...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. This store was a major failure, and in 1996 Renaud-Bray entered bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
protection. The chain survived, however.
In the summer of 1999, Renaud-Bray purchased two of its competitors in Quebec: Librairie Garneau and Librairie Champigny giving it 23 outlets across the province.
It now has 25 locations.