Pioneer owner clears the air
After weeks of reading, listening and watching others talk about the future of her property, Diane Marois has had enough.
Last week, the owner of the Pioneer bar and restaurant in PointeClaire Village sat down with a West Island Gazette reporter to tell her side of the story once and for all.
“I just want to retire to my (11 acres) in Vaudreuil where I live with my four dogs, two cats and my daughter,” Marois said.
“I want to do the things I love. It’s stressful running a bar.”
When word got out that a developer was working on a plan to build luxury condos and town houses on the Pioneer’s lot, as well as on the adjacent city-owned parking lot, voices were raised in opposition to the proposed project.
The city would not comment other than to say that the developer had yet to apply for a demolition permit, an initial step that launches the process when a development project has been proposed.
Developer Gregory Koegl said his architect had worked hard to reflect the building’s heritage in the design, which was being promoted on a real estate agent’s website, and that the project would target Pointe-Claire residents who wanted to downsize, but remain connected to their hometown.
Claude Arsenault, the now former president of Pointe-Claire’s heritage association, resigned in protest of the proposed development.
At least two petitions opposing the plan were launched, and residents showed up at the last council meeting to plead the case that it was possible to restore the building to its former glory.
“The only remaining element original to the building is the foundation,” Marois said.
“I would like to know how many people who are fighting to save the building have ever even set foot inside the place. I’m sure the majority of them haven’t been here for years. Because I can tell you this, all the publicity has had zero impact on our bottom line.”
In fact, the publicity has made Marois’ business situation even worse. She was forced to set a premature closing date for the bar (July 21) because her staff was, understandably, leaving to look for new jobs.
The bar was originally put on the market in 2012.
“One person came in for a look,” said Marois.
The three years ago, Marois was put in touch with real estate agent Jordan Perlis ( Vantage Mortgage).
“I met this unassuming lady whose husband had passed away and who wanted to close this chapter in her life,” Perlis said.
“We hit the (bar/restaurant/ commercial property) market hard and there was zero appetite.”
On Jan. 15, 2013, Marois’ husband Ron Bracken was navigating the steep stairs that led to the Pioneer’s third-floor office at the bar when he took a tumble.
“He always wore big, white boots,” Marois said. “He slipped and hit his head. There was a blood clot.”
Bracken’s death was devastating to Marois.
“Every time I go up to the office, I see him on the floor,” she said. “When he died, my daughter (bar manager Veronica) and I lost interest. Our hearts were no longer in it. The bar was his baby. He loved talking to people. I was the person in the background and I liked it that way.”
The mother of five said selling the bar intact would have been more lucrative for her then selling it as a teardown.
“The buyer would get the furniture and equipment as well,” she said. “But it’s an old building that’s falling apart. The only people who were willing to look at the property were developers.”
Perlis said the publicity threatens to jeopardize the development process from moving forward, which is upsetting to Marois.
“I want my daughter to be able to dowhatshewantstodowithher life. She’s a sweetheart who feels obliged to help Mom,” Marois said. “My husband taught me that material possessions can be replaced, but memories are forever. I have my memories. I will take them with me.”
Her response to the people clamouring to have the building restored?
“Get the historical society to get me a grant because I can’t afford to do it,” she said with frustration in her voice.
“This is a woman who desperately wants to rid herself of this boulder around her neck,” Perlis said.