When we heard that a new wine bar was opening up in our beloved 19th right near some of our favorite spots in Paris, we did some digging around. Voici, Dave Brodeur talks about his journey to Paris that’s become the wine bar Le Comptoir du Canal.
Could you please give us a little background about you? What inspired you to open up a wine bar in Paris? How did you do it? How many stamps did it take? What are some advantages and what are disadvantages? Why did you choose the 19th arrondissement?
I moved to New York City right out of college and worked in commercial real estate finance until the US housing market crashed in 2008. After which, I traveled for quite a while experiencing many different places, people, and cultures around the world. During that time a distinct shift of my priorities and outlook on life took place. I decided I was never going back to the corporate world. Once home I began investing in different businesses and real estate until an opportunity to invest in a bar in Central America came my way. I jumped at the opportunity and lived in Costa Rica for a stretch to open & run a bar in this sleepy surf town on the west coast of the country. I loved the experience and immediately began searching for another location.
I chose the 19th arrondissement due to the fact it has been going through a renaissance of sorts these past few years. It reminds me of the transition that took place in the lower east side of Manhattan where I lived for many years. You see all these great new bistros, cafes, and shops popping up everywhere in the 19th now. The neighborhood has this amazing buzz about it and I wanted to be part of that.
When did you know you wanted to come to Paris? Did you fall into this step naturally or was it a goal you set out to achieve?
About 10 years ago I spent a month in Paris and fell in love with the city. I’ve returned many times throughout the years and always wanted to establish some sort of foundation here. That being said this step definitely happened organically. I was trying to open a bar in NYC for close to a year and the right opportunity had yet to present itself. My business partner Karim Geist was trying to open a cocktail bar in Paris over that same time period. We spoke pretty much on a daily basis throughout the process about our respective trials and tribulations. It was good therapy for both of us during a stressful time. During one of our “therapy sessions” we started discussing the natural wine movement in France and a few days later I was on a plane. Things fell into place very naturally after that and Le Comptoir du Canal was born a few weeks later.
Can you tell us a little about your creative process? How do you go about developing an idea and turning it into a project? Do you have any exciting plans in the works? What’s next for you?
My creative process is a well-balanced blend of OCD, whiskey and a crippling fear of failure. I have however always been rather good at visualizing an end goal and figuring out the necessary steps to take in order to achieve it. I’m very calculated in that regard. I have to constantly remind myself that nothing happens overnight, don’t get overwhelmed and to take things day by day.
Right now I’m focused solely on Le Comptoir du Canal, but we have been discussing a few fun spin-off ideas for next summer along the Bassin de la Villette. My future plans are to open a second location in Paris and hopefully elsewhere down the road.
What is your favorite part about living here?/ What has been the most challenging aspect of living in Paris?
My favorite part about living in Paris is the history and culture. At every turn, you feel an overwhelming sense of things past. I’m often awestruck thinking that I’m walking down the same streets that Piaf, Chopin, Hemingway, Monet and so many other incredible people did throughout the years. The amazing food in Paris is a very close second!
The most challenging aspect of living in Paris is by far the language barrier. It has been very difficult to learn French when you don’t have the time to truly dedicate yourself to it. However, most customers are very understanding and more than happy to give me a mini French lesson over their glass of wine. Slowly but surely, I’m getting there.
Where’s your favorite place in Paris and why?
My favorite places in Paris are the narrow cobblestone streets and hidden courtyards you never knew existed until you stumble across them by accident. Walking home late at night after I’ve closed the bar I’ll find one of these gems from time to time. It’s usually just me and the moon out that late, and I often find myself doubling back to soak it all in the second time. It doesn’t get much better than that in my book.
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