The Main
(a.k.a. Boulevard St. Laurent)

by Sandra Phillips

A street that seems to have a life of its own was called St. Lawrence Boulevard--affectionately referred to as "The Main" and politically named Boulevard St-Laurent.

The Main has ridden life's wheel of fortune, from the prosperity of the Gay 90's when a trolley ride to here was a popular Sunday outing, to the depths of the Depression when it unfortunately held the title of "Skid Row."

The street rode the crest of different immigration waves leaving a wonderful kaleidoscope of Montreal life.

Along with the trendy new boutiques, some clothing stores here have always catered to a low-income customer while the food shops boggle the eye and the nose with the exotic necessities for all the different cultures which have passed through their portals. It is amazing how many stores have been here for many, many years, often owned by the same family.

The street has slowly re-evolved to its current chic reputation with the proliferation of new restaurants bringing the chi-chi crowd swarming nightly.

The Main is live theatre for all the senses.