Residents flocked to the pre-opening sneak peek of the new Marché Ami grocery store in Ste. Anne de Bellevue late yesterday afternoon to celebrate its official opening this morning. 

"It's awesome. It's not just a grocery store - it's a community. People are so excited. I felt the positive energy all week," said Mayor Paola Hawa. 

The opening comes five months after the previous and only grocery store in Ste. Anne's shut its doors in January. The closure shocked the community and hit seniors especially hard.

"People were very upset because they didn't know where they would get their groceries. Everyone is now very happy there's a new store especially our seniors and people who don't have cars," said Hawa.

"The only other grocery store within walking distance is in Baie d'Urfe but it's closed now too because of renovations so it became a double whammy," Hawa added.

Store owner Claude McSween and his wife Lori Vansteene welcomed everyone who came to the pre-opening event. McSween said he was motivated to open the new grocery store to help the community. 

"We like to give and the people here are telling are us they are very happy about having a new store. We also brought back some people who lost their jobs and have some new employees and they are very happy too," said McSween.

City councillor Dan Boyer stood under an awning in front of a grill cooking hot dogs outside the store and noted people were thrilled with the reopening.

"We're all really excited about having our grocery store back. Sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder. People really appreciate the re-opening especially after the last store closed. I believe having a grocery store in your town is a privilege these days," said Boyer.