History

1960

The company was first founded by Monsieur Pierre Desmarais under the name Éditions Belvédère.  Operating out of the basement of his home, his five workers distributed a wide variety of greeting cards from Europe.

    1964

Éditions Belvédère expanded sales to Western Canada.

1968

Addition of wrapping paper, gift bags, and writing paper to the product line.

 1970

Name changed to Pierre Belvédère Inc.

Launched Toy division.

1973

Pierre Belvédère moved to Rue St-Paul in Old Montreal, head office counts 65 employees.

1994

June: Acquired Montreal’s Essence du Papier with two stores, one on Rue Saint-Denis and the Ogilvy branch on Rue Ste-Catherine Ouest.

October: Pierre Desmarais retired.  The company is purchased by acting president M. Guy Bélanger, and by Fonds de Québec de solidarité des travailleurs du Québec.

1996

Head office moved to Rue St-Pierre in Old Montreal, and the warehouse to Ville LaSalle.

Sales expand to the Maritimes.

1998

Essence du Papier opened its first store outside of Montreal, on Yonge St in Toronto.

2000-2003

New outlets in Montreal at Place Ville-Marie; and in 2003, in the Toronto-Dominion Centre.

2003

M.I.L.K. Foundationis created to raise funds to help organizations fighting prejudice and intolerance.  Pierre Belvedere is an active supporter and donor.

2005

Acquired Germany’s Semikolon, specializing in book-binding.

2006

Acquired an important stake in Laval’s Stylex 3D, a printing company.

Essence du Papier opened the Brossard location in Quartier DIX30.