“We no longer believed it”, this village in the hinterland is coming back to life thanks to its new businesses
2023-10-30 20:00:00
A grocery store-bakery and a bar-restaurant.
The residents of Ascros have been waiting for a long time for the opening of its two businesses located on the square of the pretty village nestled at an altitude of more than 1,100 meters. “We stopped believing it would happen“, said one of them. This was without counting on the will of the municipality which supported these openings”by applying preferential rates both for the rental of commercial premises and that of dmunicipal housing “, says the mayor, Vincent Giobergia.
The councilor is happy to see these “institutions that bring life back to the village” et “avoid desertification in rural areas”.
“Charming” and “motivated” buyers
The adventure began in September for the two couples of buyers. Stéphanie Rulfo and Sullivan Martinez-Zubiaur, at the helm of the bar-restaurant and Laura Venturelli and Alexis Kadour behind the counter of the grocery store-bakery.
Stéphanie Rulfo, responsible for the restaurant’s family kitchen, recognizes “having fallen in love with this small business far from the city” which she learned about in an article in Nice morning. La Niçoise teams up with a Lyonnais who took courses at the prestigious Bocuse cooking school and worked in renowned houses.
Laura Venturelli and Alexis Kadour left Saint-Auban to settle in Ascros. The couple who knows the rural environment well admit to being “very motivated” to the idea of settling in the town. “ We learned through word of mouth that the town wanted to find managers for the grocery store-bakery, a business which the village had been deprived of for many years. “, they admit. The two traders know it: “The grocery store helps residents out. We are not here to get rich but to bring life back to the village.”
Customers already seduced
Laura Venturelli manages – with Alexis Kadour – the grocery-bakery. Photos A. D..
If some customers of the grocery store-bakery admit to having been “ a little reluctant at first. It must be recognized that this grocery store is a godsend for the residents of Ascross and other surrounding communities.“.
As for the new managers of the municipal bar-restaurant, we are already delighted with the attendance: “For a start, we have quite a few reservations. This means that residents need to rfind it, either at the bar or in the restaurant“.
Thus, Céline and Mickaël, met for their first visit to the restaurant, say to themselves “delighted”: “The bar and restaurant for this village are the best. It’s very pleasant and friendly and the welcome is warm.“. Paule, a native of Ascros, recognizes that “the new buyers are charming.”
Passing visitors or residents speak, in turn, of “the decor”, “the superb sunny terrace”.
“We didn’t expect this opening. So much the better “, proclaims Gérald.
“Sustaining these businesses is vital”
The municipality readily admits: “We are aware that their sustainability is a real challenge”. Also “the objective is to perpetuate these local businesses which energize the village and the surrounding area, it is vital”posed maire Vincent Giobergia.
There is no shortage of ideas from the managers: modifying opening days and times according to needs, home delivery, having a bench at the market, offering local and exotic products for groceries. And organize theme evenings for the restaurant.
Know more: Communal bar-restaurant, open every lunchtime from Tuesday to Sunday and Friday and Saturday evenings. Closed on Mondays. 06.84.31.45.75. Grocery store-bakery Dragonflies, open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., every day. Closed on Sunday from 2 p.m. 06.45.67.16.17.