Souris Mini

History

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

1989

First sales at day care centres in the Quebec region.

1990

Establishment of the Souris Mini inc. company specializing in the design and production of children’s clothing.

1991

Presentation of the first garments sporting the Souris Mini name, the 1992 spring-summer collection.

1992

The company triples its production capability with the 1992-1993 fall-winter collection.

1993

Souris Mini relocates to new premises on Saint-Roch Street, in Quebec City.

1994

First participation by Souris Mini in the prestigious La Griffe d’or contest where the company is a finalist. In September, the company participated in the seventh edition of the Collections Couturiers Québécois fashion show.

1995

Souris Mini is showcased in the Kids Creations magazine (March 1995). For a second time, the company is a finalist in the La Griffe d’or contest.

Launching of the baby wear collection and the Souris Mini corporate signature line “From Cradle to School”.

Nomination in December 1995 of Annie Bellavance, designer and founder of Souris Mini, as young business personality of metropolitan Quebec by the Jeune chambre de commerce du Québec métropolitain.

1996

Pivotal year in the company’s history when it enters the American market. Finalist for a third time in the La Griffe d’or contest in the children’s fashion designer category. Exhibitor at the International Kids Fashion Show at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.

1997

For the first time in its history, Souris Mini wins the La Griffe d’or trophy awarded to the children’s fashion designer of the year. This prestigious award confirms Souris Mini’s position of leading children’s fashion designer in Quebec, by the same token adding to the company’s already growing reputation for excellence.

Inauguration, at the Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy, of a room in honour of Annie Bellavance in recognition of her work as a Quebec designer.

Introduction of the first Souris Mini snowsuit collection, a resounding success!

For the first time since its inception, the company orders a fabric custom-made to its specifications known as Fibrosec^TM, made by Consoltex Performance.

1998

The company is a finalist for the first time at the 1998 edition of the La Griffe d’or contest.

Souris Mini is awarded the Bourse Desjardins, a bursary offered by Caisses Desjardins to young entrepreneurs in honour of their accomplishments. Once again, the company doubles its floor surface…

1999

Annie Bellavance is named innovative entrepreneur and personality of the month of March by the Journal Économique du Québec.

The company wins the prestigious La Griffe d’or trophy for a second time in the collection of the year, children’s fashion category.

2000

Acquisition by Souris Mini of a building that will become its headquarters.

Introduction of the Brouette et Trottinette line of clothing.

Introduction of a layette collection for tiny tots.

2002

The company enters the direct sales market and opens five Souris Mini stores across the province. Another successful achievement for this industry leader!

2003

Souris Mini opens ten new stores.

2004

Souris Mini continues its market penetration by opening four more stores, bringing their number to nineteen points of sale.

Souris Mini introduces an original highly popular contest among store clientele: Souris Mini Smiles. This contest is held each year, allowing young winners to see their photos posted on the store façade in their neighbourhood for part of the year.

Souris Mini is associated with the very popular TV show, L’École des fans, outfitting the children participating in the show.

Souris Mini expands its headquarters.

2005

Souris Mini explores publishing and launches a new magazine for families of today entitled Du plus petit au plus grand. The magazine is divided into four sections (children, parents, grandparents and the world of Souris Mini). Subjects explore the many issues facing grandparents and parents, offering them practical information on subjects of current interest. Du plus petit au plus grand is distributed in Souris Mini stores and has become a consumer favourite.

The company continues its expansion, opening three new stores in Gatineau, Dowtown Montreal and Granby, raising the number to 21 points of sale.

Souris Mini broadens the range of products offered, adding school wardrobes with the The Smart Set collection: practical, elegant and versatile garments designed for students of all ages.

2006

This year, the Souris Mini family of stores has expanded with the opening of three new outlets in the Maritimes: in Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and Dieppe, New Brunswick. In addition, a new store was inaugurated in Montreal at the Complexe Desjardins. In December, Souris Mini celebrated the inception of a franchised store in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. An international first for Souris Mini!

For a third year in a row, the company continues its association with the highly popular L'école des fans children’s TV show, broadcast weekly.

School wardrobes are gaining in popularity and more and more elementary and high schools are turning to Souris Mini to dress their students.

Michel Bellavance wins the young business personality award in the public relations, marketing and communications category hosted by the Jeune chambre de commerce de Québec.

Projects are in the making everywhere. Souris Mini is a business that is constantly evolving…