Women in Business

I notice in my French village that people are not obsessed with careers. Earning a living is part of life and if it is enjoyable, so much the better.

I also notice that many village shops are women owned and operated. Over the years, I've developed friendships with them. So much better than an impersonal chain store. 

Come with me to visit a few, all of which are a few minutes in walking distance of my home. 

Used clothing and a coffee shop. The owner is the wife of my real estate agent. I wish I needed more clothes to patronize her more.

Catherine, the Brownie Lady, doesn't have a shop but we find her at the Saturday marchès under her orange umbrella. Her husband also sells his wine at the stand. Besides brownies, coffee brownies, lemon cakes, cheese breakfast tarts and misc. pies, chatting with her is a delight. The couple are about to become grandparents. I am looking forward to her very English mince pies next month. 

My former Swiss-American landlady in Geneva, where we live part time tasted Catherine's coffee brownies when I gave her a few. Now when we are invited for a major dinner party and we go from France to Geneva, she asks me to bring some. Catherine loves saying she has international clients.

Most beautiful days, eating on the terrace at the La Veille Cave is lovely, but for rainy or windy days, the upstairs has the original stone walls and beams. The menu du jour is always good, but so is the standard menu. The owner is always smiling, and she's always willing to cater to my shellfish allergy.

Two women green grocers both within minutes walk of my kitchen have wonderful fresh veggies. The one above is new, but the owner has fit into the neighborhood.

Sonia's (below) has been women-owned for decades. There was Caroline then Elisabeth before Sonia and Maureen, who is also a talented musician will take it over at the end of the year. All of the women are quick to tell you when the wood garlic, honeycombs and local asparagus are in. If the women who have run the store don't think the quality of whatever is not up to their standard, I'm told to replace it. Right now it's kaki season and Sonia rushes out to packages the delicate fruit.

 

 

 

How many people have an underwear lady? This woman also limits her business to marchès. Despite the low price, which has just gone up to four euros for undies, they last and last. When I tried to buy a larger pair for comfort under a nightdress, she double checked that I really wanted it. Glad she didn't think I was as chubby as my purchase would indicate. 

My favorite cheese shop: goat, cow, sheep cheeses are all wonderful. The woman owner always has a beautiful arrangement sometimes with decorative touches. I find everything I need for an apèro, casserole, fondue, raclette, snack, etc. Although it was a man Charles de Gaulle who said, “How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?” the woman owner of this shop knows about all her merchandise.

 

The corner table is perfect for people watching because it is at a crossroads. The owner, mother of five, has a wide variety of teas and coffees, pastries, some she makes herself. She also does a great Arabic mint tea in a small decorated glass on a silver tray. 

 

She just took over the restaurant opposite the train station. Her main chef will be a woman who recently closed her restaurant. A feature, besides Sunday brunch and gourmet nights, is Nelson (no relation), the French bulldog, a buddy of my dog Sherlock. At Mille et Une we see people we know with the atmosphere often being reminiscent of an English village pub.

 

These women are all good business women. Dealing with them is more than shopping. It's a reminder of the joy of personal relationships.