Dépanneur Le Pick Up

What was once old has become new and nearly impossible to replicate.

"Dépanneurs weren't always just places where you bought junk food," explains Penny Pattison, co-owner of Dépanneur le Pick Up, the Mile X's worst-kept secret. "They were practical everyday kind of spots that also functioned as hardware stores and community centres, where people put up notices when they needed work or had things to sell. We like how dynamic that business model is."

Today, Dépanneur le Pick Up serves as a modern lunch counter, a last-minute corner store and a vibrant meeting spot for a very diverse clientele. And whether they're serving up new travel-worn menu specials or stocking an eclectic mix of beer, snacks or self-curated zines, business partners Penny Pattison and Bernadette Houde continue to satisfy the hardcore and the finicky alike. "The bulk of our clientele is very loyal and we just really like this location," says Penny. "It's got a lot of character and it's off the beaten path. It's unique."