Blatter & Blatter - Montreal

[skaukatt]

Had a really wonderful experience at Blatter & Blatter this past weekend. We visited my son at SUNY Plattsburgh, it was Family Weekend, he's a freshman there. Montreal is about an hours drive. First, I highly recommend a visit to that beautiful city. It is really a site to behold. Coming from NY City I could be a bit jaded when it comes to "big" cities but I have to say that I was so impressed with the European feel, spectacular architecture and friendly people of that magnificent city. We ate at one of the cafe's in Old Montreal (gorgeous area) which reminded me a little bit of downtown Manhattan.

Of course my visit included a stop at Blatter & Blatter! I met Patrick, one of the family and Ben who were extremely welcoming and friendly. I wanted to purchase a pipe, one of their handmades but it will have to wait until Christmas, I think! My son also saw a pipe that caught his eye. I did purchase some of their Danish Slices, (Tranches Danoises, as it states on the pouch), a nice Va. Flake and my son picked up one of their aromatic blends.

Being a huge hockey fan (NY Rangers) my other visit was to pay homage to the Centre Bell, the home of the Montreal Canadiens hockey club which is another site to behold, even before walking through the doors. Hockey fans will know that the courtyard area just prior to the front doors is decked out with statues of Canadian greats as well as many placards and engraved stones depicting great moments in that club's storied history. This is another site not to miss!

If you have opportunity don't miss out on this beautiful city and be sure to pay a visit to these historic sites.

 

[Boulder]

Sounds like a wonderful weekend, congrats.

 

[Harlock999]

This place is getting a lot of press lately! Nice to know shops like this can survive into the 21st century.

 

[skaukatt]

This place is getting a lot of press lately! Nice to know shops like this can survive into the 21st century.

As per Patrick, survival seems even tougher in Montreal than, for example in my fair city, NYC if that can even be fathomed. We spoke at length on the subject. For example, after telling Patrick that smoking is now prohibited in NYC parks, beaches, boardwalks and various other outdoor so-called "free" spaces, I mentioned to Patrick that I had some difficulty navigating and searching around on his website - much to my surprise, he informed me that it is intentional and that the site is designed in such as way as to comply with city ordinances against the promotion of tobacco products. Also, the shop had to remove certain advertising and pipe shaped logos from their storefront windows in order to avoid fines or worse. Far worse than even that is the business crushing province (city) mandate that smoking is prohibited in his shop! He directs his clientele to a nearby cigar lounge.

Survival is the key word you stated there, Harlock999, and it is getting tougher by the day.

Pay a visit, make a purchase and show support, not only to our friends at Blatter & Blatter but to all of our brick and mortars, wherever they are and whomever is left surviving.

All the best to them and I hope we get this "anti"-fueled mania turned around somehow.

 

[Airborne]

Hi Lou -

Glad you enjoyed Montréal. It's a great city. Old Montréal is particularly beautiful. Patrick’s a gentleman and great pipemaker. I have two handmades that he carved. Next time you come up, give me a heads-up. I’ll treat you to the best poutine in the city, we’ll smoke our pipes at a pipe friendly cigar lounge and visit Blatter’s together!