La Roux Patisserie
La Roux Patisserie is a beautiful shop filled with delicious French-inspired desserts, including Creme Brulee, macarons, and so many other tarts and cakes! Located in Chinatown on Fisgard Street, the shop is owned and run by the wonderful Rebecca and her fabulous all-women team!
Whether you want a place to meet someone special, pick up something sweet on the way home, or order something for a special occasion, like a wedding cake, La Roux Patisserie is the place to go!
Rebecca with her wonderful staff. Photo by Ariel Glidden
What is your background?
“I retired about 7 years ago from working as a legal assistant in corporate and securities law. I was able to help many people over the years start businesses of all kinds big and small. I knew that when I retired, I would not want to sit still. The idea of building a business from the ground up appealed to me.”
Photo by Ariel Glidden
What made you want to open your business?
“I love travel, food, wine, and people. I am very fortunate to be well travelled and have been to Europe several times. Europeans really know how to enjoy food. They do not rush, they absolutely enjoy food. The whole process for them is slower. Shopping is done daily, making meals is done with care, and the best part is they slow down to eat and enjoy the company they are with.”
For someone who hasn’t been in La Roux before, what is your business? What makes it special?
“I work very hard to provide a nice experience at a reasonable price. The pastry is delicious, I feel like my shop is very pretty and my staff are very caring people that work hard to serve beautiful food with intent.”
Photo by Ariel Glidden
What inspires you?
“So many things inspire me. Bringing people together. I love to see people enjoying themselves with what could be described as a simple pleasure. I watch 100 different stories every day. Two women that have been friends for 40 plus years and they come and meet for a natter, an older couple who once got up and started dancing in my shop because their song came on, young families that come in and the kids know me by name, the grocer from up the street who comes for his coffee every day (he has been working here for almost 30 years), the young service people who go to sea for weeks at a time and we are the first place they come when they land, the young couple that had their first date here and decided it was the perfect place to get married.
Also, my staff. This is such a fantastic, diverse strong group of women. They have such varied backgrounds and experiences, but what amazes me is that the common denominator is support of one another. They truly give me hope for the future generations of women.”
Photo by Ariel Glidden
Why downtown?
“When I was looking for space, I felt like Chinatown was a neighbourhood that was having a resurgence. I loved the wide sidewalks and could see tables out front before I opened the shop. My family also has a rich history in the neighbourhood. My dad was born here and spent many years in the neighbourhood. He lived just over on Princess Avenue. His dad was in the navy here and his grandfather was Mr. Peden of Scott & Peden (in the now Swans Building). That has turned out to be a good decision. I absolutely love being in this neighbourhood! The businesses that have been here for decades have been so supportive. In five years, I have seen families grow and the neighbourhood revitalize with life. It just feels right.”
Photo by Ariel Glidden
What advice would you give to others who want to start a business? What would you have liked to know before you opened yours?
“Plan to have a contingency amount. Even thoughtful planning has unexpected costs. Most commercial assets are more expensive than one would think. Be prepared to work extremely hard for very little money. I wish I would have had a better understanding of how consuming owning your own business is. It is literally my first thought when I wake up, my last thought before I go to sleep, and many times it has kept me from sleeping. Also managing staff is particularly challenging. I am extremely fortunate with my current staff, the proverbial bumps in the road have taught me some lessons.”
Photo by Ariel Glidden
How to find La Roux Patisserie:
La Roux Patisserie can be found at 519 Fisgard Street in Chinatown. They can be reached by phone at 778-265-ROUX(7689) and Rebecca can be reached by email at rebecca@laroux.ca. Check out their website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram too!
