Montreal Gazette

Local roadwork souvenirs are a hot sell

Souvenirs related to road constructi­on resonating with long-suffering drivers

- BILL BROWNSTEIN bbrownstei­n@postmedia.com twitter.com/ billbrowns­tein

So what do you get the angstriddl­ed Montrealer forever stuck in traffic gridlock yet still able to maintain some semblance of humour?

Why, of course, a matching set of salt and pepper shakers encased in mini orange-andwhite-striped cones. Replicas of those ubiquitous eyesores Montrealer­s run into on just about every other street in the city on a daily basis, and grim reminders to motorists that they can’t get there from here — or anywhere.

No surprise that these salt and pepper shakers — which sell for $29.99 for the set — flew off the shelves prior to Christmas, and are now on back order and expected to be available in the spring.

Ricky Blue, half of the noted Montreal musical-satirical tandem of Bowser and Blue, reports that he actually got the shakes when he unwrapped his Christmas present containing the coned salt and pepper shakers.

“Imagine my surprise when I found this frightenin­g souvenir, an appropriat­e symbol for our city, which has become known as Coney Island. Usually Santa just leaves us bad boys a lump of coal,” Blue notes.

“It gave me a chill because it reminded me of how I have to carefully plan my route in and out of the city in advance of that new reality game we suburbanit­es call The Game of Cones, and how I always end up at the corner of Rues Barrée and Détour. So now I have a salt shaker shaped like a constructi­on cone. Perfect irony. Because it was salt that ate the Turcot Interchang­e.”

But Blue does concede that vigorously shaking his salt and pepper cones has become almost therapeuti­c. “The only problem is that I’m probably using more salt on my food than I should.”

Agitated consumers, who can’t wait until spring for the shakers, can still purchase the bright orange “Rue Barrée” pillow — another copy of a stress-inducing sign that is capable of turning a mere headache into a migraine for Montreal motorists.

But at $39.99, that may seem a tad pricey for some.

So how about the wee orangeand-white-striped constructi­on cone air freshener, at $2.99, to affix to your car’s dashboard?

It serves a dual purpose: both a whimsical reminder of ongoing road constructi­on and a device that will freshen the wretched air induced by said work.

We jest not about these aforementi­oned bric-a-brac. They are the brainstorm of a trio of Montrealer­s, owners and operators of Main and Local. And they remain true to their company’s mantra: “Souvenirs that don’t suck.”

The company inventory includes some 100 locally related items, from Montreal ceramic constructi­on coasters to poutine socks to a franglais homage to seals, the Phoque Off door mat — which disgruntle­d motorists might wish to place in their vehicles while trying to block out the perpetual honking of other disgruntle­d motorists behind them. Prices range from $2.99 to $44.99.

Not all the souvenirs offered are of the naughty variety.

Also available are numerous retro items, such as Montreal Royals T-shirts, Belmont Park and Expo 67 prints, and Orange Julep earrings.

Still, it’s the risqué constructi­on-related stuff that moves most at Main and Local. “We appear to have really touched a nerve with product relating to Montreal traffic,” says David Prince, one of the triumvirat­e at the helm of Main and Local.

“Unfortunat­ely, road constructi­on is part of everyday life in Montreal. So we wanted to come up with more than just a T-shirt to express our sentiments and yet to create something functional at the same time. Like the salt and pepper shakers as constructi­on cones. They’re selling like hotcakes.”

Soon to come from Main and Local will be two snow globes, one in which flakes flit over a constructi­on zone while the other features cheese curds, in lieu of flakes, falling on fries.

As to what kind of gently twisted minds could have concocted such merch, Prince explains that he and fellow partner Jonny Goldmaker spent a previous working life travelling the world on cruise ships all the while keeping the children of voyagers entertaine­d — after their parents went off to get blasted at the chocolate fountain and/or bar.

“We had a great time on the ships, but when we got off at different ports along the way, we could never find any fun souvenirs to bring back to friends and family,” Prince says.

“And even those souvenirs we did bring back were of poor quality and would usually end up in the trash of friends and family.

“Then it hit us that it was the same situation here. So we decided that we should step in and create souvenirs of quality that were cool and quirky and have a wow effect that were very much representa­tive of the city character.”

In other words, souvenirs that don’t suck.

Better still, tchotchkes that appeal to locals as much — and maybe more — as to tourists.

“True, the road misery of Montrealer­s can breed us some success,” Goldmaker says.

“But our aim is also to bring a smile to the faces of frustrated motorists and to avoid them going into a deep state of depression or road rage.”

The guys have now set their sights beyond Montreal, taking on the souvenir market in Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa.

“Toronto has a different sensibilit­y than Montreal,” Goldmaker says. “They just adore anything to do with streetcars and raccoons. They have their share of traffic jams and constructi­on but not the madness of the maze of detours we have in Montreal. We’re definitely distinct here.”

For more informatio­n about Main and Local, call 1-855-5015082 or visit mainandloc­al.com.

 ?? ALLEN McINNIS/FILES ?? From left, Andrew Cohen, David Prince and Jonny Goldmaker, co-founders of Main and Local, display their wares.
ALLEN McINNIS/FILES From left, Andrew Cohen, David Prince and Jonny Goldmaker, co-founders of Main and Local, display their wares.
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