DeSerres, creative since 1908
A top destination for artistic minds of all backgrounds, DeSerres sets the standard for creativity. With unique expertise acquired over three generations, the family-owned business inspires imagination and accompanies customers throughout their many projects. DeSerres advocates originality, boldness and resourcefulness. Because every day requires a touch of magic to reveal its most beautiful colours. Because life is a canvas.
Story and Milestones
2018: The freedom to create
More than ever before, DeSerres offers the freedom to create, boasting a new logo to celebrate its 110th birthday.
2017
The CQCD (Conseil québécois du commerce de détail) honoured Mr. DeSerres by awarding him the Builder Recognition Award.
2010 to today: Spreading creativity!
DeSerres opened stores in Grandview, Vaudreuil, Pickering, Lachenaie, Hamel, Richmond Hill, Drummondville and Boucherville.
2010
The transactional website was launched
2004
Roger DeSerres (founder’s son) passed away.
2000: More creativity!
DeSerres opened 16 stores: Oakville, Chicoutimi, Laval, Sherbrooke, Saint-Hubert, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Marché Central, Alexis-Nihon, Pointe-Claire, Boisbriand, Saint-Leonard, Gatineau, Brossard, Edmonton and Ottawa.
1995
Five Loomis stores were purchased
1994
New acquisition, DeSerres acquired Le Foyer Artistique, an art supply chain with more than 200 employees and 13 stores, which eventually took the DeSerres name a few years later.
1980s:
Acquisition and expansion
1989
The company created the Omer DeSerres Chair of Retailing at HEC Montréal, which is still in place today.
1988
DeSerres acquired Loomis & Toles, which marked the first appearance of DeSerres stores outside Quebec.
1986
DeSerres acquired Trottier and Lizotte and the Arts Pavilion.
1975: Marc DeSerres joined the company
Marc DeSerres, the founder’s grandson, joined the family business. It was clear to him that the future of DeSerres lied in art supplies, a market that was growing exponentially.
1950: The first fine arts and graphics section was born
New opportunities arose when The School of Applied Arts moved close to the downtown location. The 1950s saw the birth of DeSerres’ first fine arts and graphics section.
1940: Diversification
In 1949, Omer passed away, leaving a 34-year-old Roger in charge of seven stores in a difficult post-war market. They were lucky; the stores were successful and continued to grow and diversify, selling everything from sports equipment to small household appliances.
1930: Roger DeSerres joined the company
Roger, Omer’s eldest son and a McGill graduate in Commerce, joined the business in 1937. Together they transformed their hardware shops into thriving department stores.
1920s:
First deliveries and first catalogue
1927
The first deliveries were made by horse-drawn carriage
1926
The first catalogue was printed. It included heating and plumbing supplies spread across 572 bilingual, illustrated pages that were beautifully bound with green leather. A year later, an indexed paper version with gold lettering was widely distributed.
1910s :
Success
By 1913, the business had started selling automobile accessories, utility paints, and wall-hangings on top of the plumbing and heating supplies. Roger was born to Omer and his wife Eugénie on September 5, 1914. In 1917, despite the effects of WWI, it was necessary to have a four-storey warehouse built to keep the larger merchandise.
1917
Despite the effects of WWI, a four-storey warehouse was needed to store merchandise.
1914
Roger, Omer and Eugénie’s first son, was born on September 5th.
1913
The company started selling auto parts, paint and decorative items on top of the plumbing and heating supplies.
1908: The company was founded
Omer DeSerres was 26 years old when he acquired an ironwork shop in Montréal on the corner of Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Denis, which he then converted into a hardware store. With dedication and hard work, he opened more stores and became a major distributor of plumbing and heating supplies.