Q: Hi Sandra, Is  Laflamme Electrique still in business? I have tried the phone numbers at the various locations which are now not connected. I need service on my Breville Espresso machine.

A: LaFlamme closed awhile ago. However you can to to Cafe Union at 148 Waverly (corner Jean Talon ouest),  Tel: 514-273-5555 as they repair coffee machine repairs. This friendly, family business has been around or over 100 years. You can buy some yummy coffee beans there too.

This wholesaler roasts the coffee right here, so you can choose one or blend from amongst the espresso, melange maison (regular and strong), Kenya, Panama, Columbia Supremo, Fair Trade, decaf and Swiss washed decaf.

Those who like flavors can buy Bavarian chocolate, Irish cream or hazelnut vanilla or one of the 53 flavored syrups (vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, etc.). Coffee related products like iced cappuccino, Chai latte concentrate now line the shelves.

Free delivery is offered for 5 pounds or more. They sell espresso machines (Gaggia, Saeco, Rancilio, Pavoni, Mokita, Breville, Quick Mill and Jura) and teapots, too. It was a natural extension for this store to start a repair depot for overhauls and servicing.

A: You have to work a bit to find Electrotech which is in a small strip of stores on Henri-Bourassa where it meets highway 13. It’s a clearance center for Philips and Saeco products and a service center too. Expect at least 30% off damaged packaged and liquidated  Saeco  coffee machines  or Philips small kitchen appliances  and tons of shavers and other grooming and beauty products. Come here for replacement electric shaver heads and parts.

They’ve segued into gorgeous high end Bugatti kitchenware, cutlery, gift sets and tableware from Italy. People who love Bodum double wall glasses and coffee grinders find their way here.

Location: 9490 Henri-Bourassa o., Ville St-Laurent
corner: Autoroute 13
Tel: 514-956-0120
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30

If you love real coffee and live on the western side of Montreal, you now have an option of a place near home to buy coffee makers, coffee, and supplies. La boutique du café Tazza di Mattina is located in Roxboro and they carry Saeco, Jura, Caffitaly, Rancilio espresso and cappuccino machines, and coffee.

Coffee imported from Italy is sold there. You can purchase ground coffee and coffee beans from Gloria, Caffé Harmonia and Dolce Vita. They have a selection of tea and teapots from My Cup Of Tea. Accessories for tea and coffee are here as in frothers and cups of different sizes in glass and ceramic. Various cleaning products for all coffee and cappuccino makers are found as well.

If you want to buy a more traditional gift, you can find the old-fashioned Italian stove top coffee makers here. You’ll have a choice of many different sizes in brands Vev, Bialetti & Laila. Pretty colorful lines of accessories of home and tableware by Guzzini and Bugatti are available too.

This is also a local repair depot; They can fix your machine on site  if it breaks – no more lugging it all the way downtown.

Location: 5 Commercial Ave, Roxboro QC, H8Y 2N9
corner: boul Gouin
Tel: 514-684-6161
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-5:30, Sat 9-4
www.tazzadimattina.ca  FB: http://on.fb.me/1eNfNva

Q: Good morning : I am looking for old desk handles 31/2″ wide for 80 ish year old desk. There used to be a hardware store on Green Ave. where I was able to get them , they don’t seem to be there any more. I know I could get them from Lee Valley, but I would prefer getting them here in Montreal. I have your No. 14 issue. I would appreciate any  info you could give me.

A: Page 87. Try Circa 1850. Also appears on my website: http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=138   They sell all kinds of products for re-finishing including: square nails, hinges, reproduction hardware, wood fillers, sandpaper, powdered pigment, drawer slides, turned table legs, wood handles and knobs and keyhole covers.

Jay at Talon Tire taught me that the state of your tires is one of the things that might save your life in a quick stop situation. Make sure the ones on your car are the best you can have.

Talon Tire is an independent tire dealer which has been in business since 1971, and specialize in quality tires for passenger cars, SUV’s, vans and light trucks. It is one of the few tire shops that has been approved by the consumer watchdog organization, the Automobile Protection Association.

They are not just order takers – their staff has knowledge of a wide range of tire applications, and monitors the latest technological developments and trends in tire manufacturing. They can answer and questions about tires to help you make the right choice.

Some of the good reasons to buy your tires from them:

– Wheels are fastened on your car by first hand-threading the nuts and then hand-torquing them to manufacturer’s specifications. When needed, you will be able to remove the wheels without frustration – No warped brake rotors or stripped threads or marred wheels.

– Even if they install only one tire, they check and adjust all your tire pressures.

– Their repairs on flats are permanent and safe, since they use only quality chemical patches applied from the inside of the tire. Repairs done from the outside, without inspecting for internal damage, are only temporary, and can result in an eventual blowout.

– Their tire and wheel balancing is state-of-the-art. It’s so uniquely accurate that consumers residing several hundred kilometers away go there to resolve their vibration complaints and leave with a smooth comfortable ride.

– Your “Mag” wheels are safe with them, as they use only the highest quality nylon-coated balancing weights. They won’t change the plastic finish of your wheels or cause corrosion like regular lead weights.

Special tires can be bought here too. Talon Tire sponsors and supports grass roots Motorsports in Canada, and offer a wide range of competition tires. To help keep a cherished classic car on the road they stock over 20 sizes of hard-to-find vintage tires.

– There is no commission, so their staff won’t propose a more profitable tire when it’s not the right choice.
– There are no hidden extras in their price.
– Their road hazard guarantee provides a replacement tire based on the price you paid, and NOT on a higher suggested retail price which increases every year with inflation.

They offer a two month or 1,500 mile / 2,000 kilometer free trial period for every tire that they recommend for your car and driving needs. If you don’t like them, they’ll refund you 100% of the purchase price.

Talon Tire makes buying the right set of tires easy.

Location: 2607 Diab St. Ville St-Laurent, QC H4S 1E7
corner: rue Bois Franc
Tel: 514-337-0833
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-6
http://www.talontire.com/

Cafe Union is a coffee wholesaler who roasts the coffee right here, but you can buy retail too. You can choose one type of bean or blend from amongst the espresso, melange maison (regular and strong), Kenya, Panama, Columbia Supremo, Fair Trade, decaf and Swiss washed decaf. They were here way before the trendy coffee shops as coffee lovers have loved this Montreal institution since 1910

Those who like flavors can buy Bavarian chocolate, Irish cream or hazelnut vanilla or one of the 53 flavored syrups(vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, etc.). Coffee related products like iced cappuccino, Chai latte concentrate now line the shelves.

Free delivery is offered for 5 pounds or more. They sell espresso machines (Gaggia, Saeco, Rancilio, Pavoni, Mokita, Breville, Quick Mill and Jura) and teapots, too.

It was a natural extension for this store to start a repair depot. Any commercial or domestic espresso machine by Gaggia, Rancilio, Pavoni, Saeco, Mokita, Jura or Quick Mill can be brought here for overhauls and servicing.

Location: 148 rue Jean Talon O, Montreal QC H2R 2X1
Corner: rue Waverly
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5:30, Sat 9-3
Metro: Station Jean-Talon/Station de Castelnau
www.cafeunion.com
info@cafeunion.com

It’s time to take a look around the house to freshen things up now that you will be spending inside. So if you would like to clean your drapes, window coverings , pillows or duvets –  think Bellingham Cleaners and Tailors.

Would you sleep on the same sheets for 6 months? So why haven’t you ever had your pillow cleaned? They will sanitize, deodorize, clean, and fluff you pillow – and – replace the cover. Is it too difficult to remove and rehang your drapes and window coverings? They’ll send someone to do it for you so you can send them in for a cleaning along with the bedding and decorative cushions

No time for laundry? For busy people, they offer a wash and fold service for $1.50 lb. Whites and coloured items are washed separately – and – independently of other peoples’ clothes. There’s free pick up and delivery. The minimum order is for 10 lbs. Their Bates Rd. location even has Quebec’s first drive-thru service and a 24-hour night deposit box using VIP bags.

Their Deluxe Service handles delicate garments individually:

* garments individually cleaned in virgin solvent
* buttons are removed to prevent damage
* items are hand-pressed,
* double inspection procedure
* garments are stuffed with tissue paper to preserve their form

– For garment repairs (even suede and leather), every day there are seamstresses and a changing room, so quick fixes can be sewn while you wait.
– Home or office pick-up service is available over most of the island.
– Bellingham Cleaners are the only cleaners in the province of Quebec who are certified by the worldwide Association of Wedding Gown Specialists.

TMR Location: 2655 Bates Rd, Montreal
corner: Wilderton
Tel: 514-733-4444
Hours: Mon-Wed 7:30-6:30, Thurs & Fri 7:30-7, Sat 8-5, Sun 11-5
Westmount location: 1 Westmount Square
Tel: 514-934-3353
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30-6, Sat 9-5
www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=167

Panic. Where can you go to get your electrical Christmas ornaments fixed? Do you want that fancy clock fixed for company coming?  Fix R Us is a handy and friendly West Island neighborhood fix-it shop with 30 years of experience under their belt.  For gift giving, there’s even a great selection and prices for cell phone cases and accessories.

L

Dubarry Furs, a 34-year-old shop, in a beautiful exposed brick and stone atelier in Old Montreal, maintains low prices by doing all the work themselves.

Holding a “Pre-Season Restyling Event”, they are giving you a wonderful opportunity to refresh your furs before the winter.  Bring in your old furs for an expert evaluation and to receive advice on the endless possibilities to revitalize the garments. They will gladly guide you when turning a older coat into something fashionable and wearable – they even have water resistant reversible ones. Trade-ins are accepted toward the purchase of a new coat.

The lovely husband and wife team are happy to help you in choosing ready-to-wear or custom-made jackets, hats, capes with fur trim, and coats. They sell cashmere and Alpaca wear with and without fur trim and shearling jackets. I especially love the luscious little fur neck scarves.

Repairs, cleaning and storage are all available here. They have always been known for the quality of their products and their personalized service.

Location, 206 St-Paul Ouest, Old Montreal
corner: St-Francois-Xavier
Tel: 514-844-7483
Hours: Tues-Fri 10-6, Sat & Sun 11-5 & by appointment
www.dubarryfurs.com

Fenetre Deco does ultrasonic cleaning and repairs of all types of blinds, from 1″ aluminum horizontals to the higher end Silhouettes and Luminettes. The blinds are placed with a cleaning solution in large water-filled tanks, which use vibrating sound waves to loosen the dirt. Prices start at $15 per blind, and there is a minimum of $75 for a service call.

They also sell many types of blinds and drapery and provide shop-at-home service for Hunter Douglas, Shad-o-matic, Sol-r, Levolor, Altex, wooden and PVC shutters, Sohji panels, roller shades, etc.

Tel: 514-364-2020
Hours: by appt
www.fenetredeco.com
Email: info@fenetredeco.com