MARCHÉ ANDES
a bridge between flavors
It all began in 1971, when Héctor Aguilar left Colombia, driven by his passion for travel and his dream of offering a world to discover in Montreal. It was this passion that led him to open his first travel agency, with the goal of connecting people to their origins, their families, and new adventures.
As the Latino community grew, Héctor noticed a lack of accessible cultural products. He opened a small video store called Video Latino, where he offered Latin American films and music, becoming a pioneer in promoting Hispanic culture in Montreal.
Little by little, Latin American food products were added, transforming the place into a true multicultural grocery store: Marché Andes was born
In 1996, Mayor Pierre Bourque officially designated the street as Montreal’s first Latin American neighborhood and presented a commemorative plaque to the Aguilar family — a historic recognition of their contribution to the city’s cultural life
In 2002, the family decided to return to their calling in the travel industry, selling the grocery store to another Colombian family, who respectfully carried on the spirit of the business.
In 2018, it was a heartfelt moment: the Aguilar family returned and proudly reopened the grocery store under its original name, Marché Andes, reconnecting with the wonderful Latin American and Quebec communities.
From the travel agency to the market, the entire Aguilar family played a hands-on role. Today, Héctor’s daughter and her husband proudly carry the torch, ensuring the continuity of a legacy built on hard work, love, and a deep passion for their culture
Marché Andes is more than a business — it’s the story of a family, of a dream brought to life, driven by the desire to share Latin flavors in Quebec homes. And this story continues…”
