About
The guy behind Le Gars des Stores
Pierre-Marc Lareau has been working in blinds since 2001. A certified Somfy Expert, he founded Le Gars des Stores in 2014. The company is based in Beaconsfield, and he's still out in the field with his team of advisors and installers.
Founder
Pierre-Marc Lareau
I was 21, young and full of drive, when I installed my first blind. I was an installer before becoming an advisor, and that has never left me: I know every product because I've had it in my hands. Since 2001, I've worked with everything that dresses a window, from roller shades to motorized roller shutters, from drapery to exterior solar shades.
After years at the very high end, I wanted to make quality blinds more accessible. In 2014, I created BlankBlinds: our solar shades, blackout shades and zebra shades, well made and fairly priced. That line is still at the heart of what we sell today.
We also take on more technical residential and commercial projects: motorized blinds and roller shutters, exterior solar shades. As a certified Somfy Expert, I choose each motor for the product, then our team programs and installs it. After the installation, we're still available.
Le Gars des Stores is a small, human-sized business. My team of advisors and I come to your home to show you the products and take the measurements. Our installers handle the installation, and I'm still on site for many of them. We all know each other, and we speak the same language.
My journey
From Verti-Bo to Le Gars des Stores
- 1994
Verti-Bo, the vertical blind years
My father-in-law, Mr. Leclerc, founded Verti-Bo in Montreal. The name says it all: the company made its own vertical blinds. In the '90s, it was the blind you saw on patio doors and large windows, at home and at the office. We still install them today, with a wand, no cord or chain.
- 2001
Taking over Verti-Bo
I left Sherbrooke for Montreal and took over Mr. Leclerc's business. He trained me in sales and installation: vertical blinds are where I learned the trade.
- Then
High-end products at a manufacturer
I moved to one of my manufacturers, where I learned the full Hunter Douglas, Levolor, Shade-O-Matic and Altex lines, Allendale fabrics and motorization. That's where I left the world of vertical blinds for the high end.
- Oxali Design
Blinds and interior design
I founded Oxali Design, a blinds and interior design company, which I ran for several years with a team of designers. Plans, complete projects, lots of coordination. That's also where I started taking an interest in motorized awnings and roller shutters.
- 2014
Le Gars des Stores
I left interior design to the designers to focus on what I really love: blinds. Le Gars des Stores was born with two lines: affordable, very good quality interior blinds, and special projects — motorized roller shutters, motorized blinds, exterior solar shades — at the fairest price, with high-end motorization.
Why choose us
The small-team difference
One team, one language
Our advisors come to your home and take the measurements themselves; our installers do the installation; Pierre-Marc is on site for many installations. Small team, no subcontracting, no different version of the story.
Certified Somfy Expert
Authorized dealer and Somfy Expert: motors, remotes, TaHoma home automation, Alexa, Google, Apple. Somfy motors have a 5-year warranty.
Reachable 7 days a week
Texts every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; calls Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at (514) 967-3629. It's a cell phone, and many customers prefer to text in the evening.
5- to 10-year warranty
Depending on the product. Professional installation included, and a number that still answers after the sale.
Where we go
Beaconsfield, and Greater Montreal
West Island and Montreal · Vaudreuil-Soulanges · South Shore · North Shore · western Laval · Eastern Townships; elsewhere, depending on the project. Originally from Sherbrooke, Pierre-Marc has kept a local team there. Our VRM Industries brand roller shutters are measured and installed by our team.
Shall we look at your windows together?
Free in-home consultation and quote, installation included.
