History

1960

The company is founded by Mr Pierre Desmarais under the name Éditions Belvédère.  Operating out of the basement of his home, with five employees, Éditions Belvédère distributed a wide variety of greeting cards from Europe.

    1964

Éditions Belvédère expanded its sales to Western Canada.

1968

Wrapping paper, gift bags, and writing paper are added to the product line.

1970

Name changes to Pierre Belvédère Inc.

The Toy Division is set up.

1973

Pierre Belvédère Head Office moves to St-Paul street in Old Montreal with a total of 65 employees.

1994

June: Acquisition of Essence du Papier with two Montreal stores, one on Saint-Denis street and the other in Ogilvy on Ste-Catherine West.

October: Mr. Pierre Desmarais retires. The company is purchased by acting president Mr. Guy Bélanger and the Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs du Québec.

1996

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

Sales expand to the Maritimes.

1998

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

2000-2003

Opening of two new Essence du Papier stores; one in Montreal at Place Ville-Marie and the other in Toronto ate the Toronto-Dominion Centre.

2003

M.I.L.K. Foundation is set up to reaise funds to help organizations fight against prejudice and intolerance. Pierre Belvedere is an active supporter and donor.

2005

Acquisition of Semikolon in Germany specialized in book-binding.

2006

Acquisition of significant shares in Stylex 3D, a Laval printing company.

Opening of the Essence du Papier Brossard boutique in Quartier DIX30MC.