As only knowing St. Laurent as the street with buzzing nightlife and accessible drunchies, it doesn't do justice to the historical significance of this street that presides outside of our McGill bubble. So here's a brief history lesson for all of you. St. Laurent is nicknamed "The Main" and serves the similar bearings as Main Street in other North American metropolises, with a wide spectrum of shops and cafes able to satisfy whatever craving or urge. The Main was established in 1905 and still serves as the physical divider between East and West Montreal. Historically, this boundary divided the predominately English speaking people in the West and the French speaking population in the East. With these large groups inhabiting the left and right, it would make sense that other ethnic groups such as the Jewish, Chinese, Italian, Portugese, Greek, etc... straddled the boundary and established their respective communities. The 11km street that extends from the very shores of the St. Lawrence river to the very north of Montreal island, is now the hub for many festivals, trendy boutiques, and delicious foods. The once upon a time run-down factories of the Southern strip have now turned into classy, expensive lofts. This raw, creative, and dramatic Boulevard has withstood a drastic evolution throughout the city's history and will continue to contribute to the youth and vibrance of the entire Montreal community for many years to come.
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