Look Inside: Supermarché PA - 1420 Rue du Fort, Montreal, QC

Happy Memorial Day!

Montreal's supermarkets have been very, very different from what I'm used to. I guess that's to be expected, but even the Nova Scotia stores were closer to what I'm used to in the US. This store was not an exception, but it was also probably the coolest of all the stores I visited.

Apologies for the finger in the photo. This store, known as Supermarché PA, is part of a three-store chain that seems to be a trendy, not-quite-discount grocery store. I just happened upon it, and I wish I had gone in knowing more about it. In fact, from the outside, I initially thought it was an Asian store (based on absolutely nothing). It is a great building. This is one of those stores that isn't wide but goes way back.

And if you're worried that the ceiling looks pretty low on the first floor, you might be right. But you wouldn't know because they've opened up the whole store to two levels...

Looking from the amazing (and amazingly cheap) produce department towards the front wall. What I didn't realize at the time was that the second-floor balcony contains the butcher, the deli/bakery, and a seating area!

In fact, I didn't take many photos inside here because a lot of people were standing on the second floor, looking out onto the first floor (watching me, presumably). I thought they were all employees and managers, but they were just customers looking out over the store! If I had known that, I would have gone up to the second floor myself.

The store also featured a large selection of groceries, some discounted and some not.

Fresh meats towards the front of the store on the far side.

I wish I had known more about PA before visiting because I would have really gone in-depth in my coverage here. Unfortunately, I have only these few pictures. If you want to find out more, the store is located at 1420 Rue du Fort in Montreal.