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In 1959, Emilio Calarusso founded the Épicerie Européenne, a grocery store on Saint-Jean Street. Calarusso became one of Québec City’s best-known Italians. His grocery introduced Québec City residents to products that were entirely new to them, such as Italian coffee, fine olive oil and even Asian foods. First frequented by immigrants, the grocery went on to become increasingly popular with a broad range of residents.
1975 - 2019

An ever-more diverse population

At the end of the 20th century, migration and population movement increased around the world. Québec City’s cultural landscape rapidly diversified during this time. The city’s quality of life and professional opportunities attracted people from all over. Some endured great difficulty, fleeing authoritarian political regimes in Haiti or Eastern Europe for instance. Others sought refuge from armed conflicts, such as those in Congo, Vietnam and Cambodia. Get a glimpse into the lives of individuals to discover how this sweeping phenomenon of immigration played out on a smaller scale in Québec City!

A taste of Europe in the city

Raynald Lavoie In 1959, Emilio Calarusso founded the Épicerie Européenne, a grocery store on Saint-Jean Street. Calarusso became one of Québec City’s best-known Italians. His grocery introduced Québec City residents to products that were entirely new to them, such as Italian coffee, fine olive oil and even Asian foods. First frequented by immigrants, the grocery went on to become increasingly popular with a broad range of residents.
Chronoscope What memories do you have of this store? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Ville de Québec All rights reserved: Ville de Québec - Le Soleil Fonds - Date: April 1991