Will a fast food restaurant take the place of the famous Gibert Jeune bookstore in Place Saint-Michel, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris?
This is what fears the borough mayor, Florence Berthout.
“
Unacceptable!
I ask the City of Paris and the State to mobilize alongside me to block this ineptitude in the heart of the book district and a stone's throw from Notre-Dame
, ”she said on Twitter.
Read alsoGibert prepares its future, between hybrid shops and e-commerce
Gibert Jeune closed its doors about a year ago, due to a difficult economic situation.
The end of an era for several generations of customers, who came to find second-hand books like the latest novelties in this brand.
Since March 2021, the grid has remained down without a concrete recovery plan having been announced.
Until today anyway.
Having heard of the project to set up a restaurant by the American group Five Guys, known for preparing Barack Obama's favorite hamburgers, Florence Berthout spoke with the lessor.
“
He told me that it was the only offer that had been presented to him
,” the borough mayor is surprised.
“
I told him that it was absurd that this was the only possible activity, even though French growth reached 7% in 2021
”.
Appeal to the State
The economy has recovered, of course, but the town hall of the 5th arrondissement wants to keep control of the businesses that will occupy the ground floors of the Latin Quarter, known for its bookstores and popular with students and tourists. .
In particular because of its proximity to Notre-Dame de Paris.
For the elected, it is the soul of the neighborhood that is in danger if the facilities are simply governed by “
the law of supply and demand
”.
"
It is absolutely necessary that the State and the city take up this subject
", urges Florence Berthout, who regrets simply having a "
warning power
".
It is thus calling for a local urban plan (PLU) which gives communities more leeway to define commercial “
protection zones
”, that is to say which favor independent shops and crafts.
Emmanuel Grégoire was contacted about this.
In the specific case of the installation of the Five Guys fast food restaurant, there remains a lifeline for opponents of the project.
If its instigators do not obtain the planning permissions necessary to carry out the building work, the project could well be stopped - for a time in any case.
Read alsoFive Guys is working hard to grow faster
Five Guys, for its part, has accelerated its development in France in recent years.
In Paris, the group favors establishments in popular corners of the capital, in order to maximize flows.
After Bercy-Village, in 2016 the chain opened a restaurant on the Champs-Elysées (VIIIth arrondissement).
It was also its largest brand in the world, with 1500 square meters spread over 5 floors.
A restaurant has also opened its doors at Gare du Nord (18th century) and at Opéra (2nd century).
Contacted, the group has not yet responded to the request of
Le Figaro.