A page is turning in Sherbrooke, as the famous Louis restaurants have been sold, passing from the fold of the Ellyson family to that of the Cassar family. The transaction also includes the sale of Taverne Alexandre, another Sherbrooke institution well known for its smoked meat. The news, which bombed the Queen's Eastern Townships, fell just before the New Year's Eve celebrations.
The Ellyson family had owned Louis restaurants since 1969 and founded Taverne Alexandre in 1980. But Louis restaurants have been around since the late 1940s and are well known for their famous poutine, hamburger and hot dog. In the late 1970s, when Pierre Ellyson took over from his father's management of the company, he opened two more restaurants, one in the east of the city and a second in the west.
Including the downtown branch, all sectors of the city are then served and the reputation of the restaurants is well established. Louis restaurants are becoming essential for people who are hungry. The Ellysons multiply the social implications, whether with community organizations or sports. They are known throughout the city!
From Ellyson to Cassar
After 50 years of running his restaurants, Mr. Ellyson decided to hang up his apron and bow tie and pass the torch on to another great Sherbrooke family. The brothers Peter and Matthew Cassar therefore become owners of the three restaurants and the Tavern. The Cassars are also the owners of the company specializing in cloud computing technology Sherweb, founded in Sherbrooke in the late 1990s and which today has nearly a thousand employees, mainly at the head office in Sherbrooke, but also all over the world.
By announcing this acquisition, the Cassars suddenly announced the appointment of Christian Fréchette, former chef and well-known owner of Da Toni with 35 years of restaurant experience, as General Manager.
The tradition continues
What made the population react the most when the news was published on the daily La Tribune's website was of course the fear of seeing this institution lose its letters of nobility and its unique taste that made its reputation.
However, it only took a few hours for the new CEO to reassure loyal customers that the traditions established by the Ellyson family will be kept even though a winning recipe can sometimes be improved. In the short term, there will be no difference in restaurant recipes and ambiance, until the transition is done the right way.
But we can bet that the changes will not be huge, the quality of the menu and the service that has made the reputation of these establishments for a very long time.
When it comes to the Cassars' reputation as business leaders, that is no longer to be done either, always striving for excellence and knowing how to surround themselves with the right people.
The marriage of this restaurant, with such a long track record and unmatched popularity in the region, with a family of successful entrepreneurs, involved in several local causes, should work well beyond the honeymoon!
