“They are still here until June 21 and will it last another 10 days? It is not possible ! ".
“They” is Le Goût des Plantes, a garden center that sells to individuals and at knockdown prices: aromatic plants, cacti and other plants. As for the one who expresses his anger, it is a florist from the Marais scandalized by this competition which he considers unfair.
If the brand has alienated the artisan florists of the Marais, it is because it has been selling off plants from €2 since February, during temporary and regular sales.
“You understand, they were there in February and it lasted 3 days. And then they came back in May, the end of the lockdown had barely begun, this time it was for 12 days, even though we hadn't worked for 2 months. And now, here they are again for 10 days! ".
“I felt sorry for my colleague Moor when, for 12 days in May, customers of Goût des Plantes queued in front of his store located at 80 rue du Turenne, glued to his plants to go to a “sell-out” explains Philippe Olivier.
As a result, the florist who operates at 42 rue de Turenne brought together 18 colleagues, local merchants, residents and customers, all shocked by the regular arrival of pop-up shops that trample their flowerbeds.
Already at Christmas, two pop-up stores from MR Agency, a rental company for exceptional locations, hosted two large Christmas tree sales on rue de Turenne, one opposite Philippe Olivier's store, the other next to that of Moore.
“It was pretty crazy to see them set up a few steps from our respective stores, selling trees. Afterwards, they ended up giving them away.”
“We, consumers, must make the right choices, because we must support merchants who take risks, have social charges, high rents, who go to great lengths to open every day, rain or shine. or it snows. Sometimes to sell little. » adds Laurent, a marsh resident who has taken the lead in the florist movement.
Julien, one of the creators of Goût des Plantes, retorts: “I don’t know why they took a dislike to us, because our 25-35 year old clientele doesn’t always have the means to go to florists” .
“I don't see what we're being blamed for, I joined forces with a father like me. We pay taxes, our rent for 4 days is equivalent to that of a month. I'm not a florist, I make green plants. Are they going to ban Ikea from selling plants? ".
He continues: “Our competition is legal and encouraged in a country like ours.”
“Instead of preventing me from working, they should question their economic model.”
The creator of Taste of Plants, however, wants to calm the debate: “I am ready to meet them. Moreover, in the provinces, we have already invited florists to exhibit their products in our pop up stores.”
Laurent, who circulated a petition in the Marais and the 11th arrondissement, before handing it to Pierre Aidenbaum, the mayor of the 3rd arrondissement, continues: “We are not against pop-up shops when it allows small creators to test a market before launching a physical store. But the regular arrival of this type of unethical business is parasitizing our local businesses and stealing their customers. It's terrible! Especially after a year of yellow vests, December strikes and, finally, confinement.”
Text: Katia Barillot
Photos: ©Anaïs Costet
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