A STORIED HISTORY

Originally a simple flat-roofed structure, the building was later expanded to include a second story and living quarters. In the 1940s, it was covered with a brick-pattern asphalt siding, which remained for many years. This store has become a landmark in the area, with a rich history serving local customers for generations.
In the early 1900s, E.B. Gayler operated a paint store at this location. From 1930 to 1956, Elsie and Gordon Gibbons ran a general store, post office, and ice cream parlor, making significant contributions to the community. In 1948, a restaurant and snack shop were added to accommodate workers during the construction of the Chenaux Dam. Notably, Elsie Gibbons is remembered for being the first woman elected as a municipal mayor in Quebec in 1953.
After the Gibbons, Laura and Lionel Ouellet sold the store and lunchroom they operated from 1956 to 1962 to their daughter and her husband, Maurice and Cecile Essiambre. They continued the tradition by running a general store and butcher shop, eventually expanding their offerings to include beer, wine, lottery tickets, and hunting and fishing licenses.
In 2008, Edward and Nicole Thompson took over the business, implementing a winning formula of better prices leading to increased sales. They renovated the store, enlarged the beer cooler, and added warehouse space to purchase beer by the pallet for better pricing. With a granted SAQ agency license, they expanded their offerings to include wine, liquor, and coolers, as well as adding a laundromat. The sold the business to their daughter Dominique in xxx
Today, Dépanneur Thompson continues to provide essential goods and services, including groceries, personal items, lottery tickets, fishing and hunting licenses, dry goods, hardware, and greeting cards. Some even refer to it as the "bank of Portage," thanks to its ATM and debit machine. Being one of the only businesses in the village, Thompsons strive to carry whatever the local population might need, ensuring that the store remains a vital resource for the community.