Monoprix

Oh god, what to say about this place. The Monoprix on Jean Medecin, in comparison with the Casinos and Carrefour Marche’s in the area, is fairly pleasant, a civilized, almost enjoyable shopping experience. This place on Garibaldi on the other hand is a one-​way trolley ride to supermarket hell.
Coming here on the way home from work is always an enervating experience; the narrow, warren-​like layout, the chaotic mêlée of agitated clientele — a dynamic mix of yacht crew, students, backpackers and the outdoor residents of Place Garibaldi (most of whom use the Monoprix as their preferred purveyor of liquid goods) — and the constant scrutiny of the ubiquitous and surly security staff, whose modus operandi seems to be to run around as much as possible and treat everyone democratically with equal suspicion (perhaps justifiably). And then the kicker, too few checkout staff, and the resultant queues, as we all wait for the next customer to count out 1.68 in centimes for a can of Carlsberg.
But Stop Press! Things may be looking up! As of April 2011 they are undertaking some renovations. The first small results are encouraging: better lighting, new flooring. Now they just need to have a beer dispenser outside and teach the security staff to smile and my evenings will be immeasurably brighter.