For the past few days, something has been happening at 8 rue Louis Pasteur in Villé.
Denis takes over the shop but radically changes the product category. Goodbye wool, hello scale models, miniature trains and other radio-controlled vehicles of all kinds.
Drawing on his past experience, Denis will be running not one, but two businesses at number 8 on the street. In addition to the model shop, Denis will offer a delicatessen and even takeaway meals in jars.
As you might have guessed, Denis doesn't do things by halves.
To find out everything about this new address, we decided to ask the person most directly involved. Here's what they had to say:
Hello Denis,
You have just arrived in the Villé valley. Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello everyone, hello valley!
For a bit of background, I'm a former restaurateur who studied at the Strasbourg Hotel School in the 80s. I worked in various establishments in Alsace and throughout France. A head chef since the age of 24, I gained experience working for different owners for several years. I became a model train enthusiast around 1982 and have pursued this hobby ever since, even starting my own online business in 2012. I had the opportunity to work for a company that only needed my services from 11 a.m. onwards, working a continuous shift, which allowed me to develop their model railway website.
Even though we already know the answer, I can't resist asking you our traditional and much-anticipated question! Are you from the Villé Valley?
A very important question, and no, I'm not originally from the valley; love brought me to this beautiful place. I'm from Duttlenheim and have lived in Illhaeusern in the Haut-Rhin region for the past few years. A few months ago, I heard that a shop was available to rent in the town center, and after a very pleasant conversation with Gérardine Hecker, here I am, a tenant of the shop and a resident of Illhaeusern at the same time.
Denis, to better understand the purpose of your shop, can you explain your professional background to our readers?
As mentioned earlier, I created a website about model railroading in 2012 while continuing to work in the kitchen for my respective employers. Five years ago, I had the opportunity to open my own restaurant and, at the same time, my first small shop at the same address, as the layout allowed. Passionate about both my activities, I welcomed food lovers and/or model railroaders to share our common interests. This venture, which became very difficult both personally and in terms of my health, came to an end just before the Covid crisis, sparing me, I believe, many further setbacks.
The model-making business came to a standstill and since then, I have been offering my culinary services for the production of "homemade" catering products in a large retail chain close to its customers.
Today your professional adventure begins in Villé.
What are you going to propose to the inhabitants of the Valley?
Let's start, if you don't mind, with the model-making side of things.
Rail Modélisme Alsace was therefore relaunched last year with the launch of its new website https://rail-modelisme-alsace.fr/
With the opening of the physical store, I welcome people to discover or share my passion: the magic of model trains. With today's technology, we control our layouts with tablets, phones, or computers, which requires enthusiasts to upgrade and develop their equipment. This is one of the services offered in the shop. I also offer a range of paints and supplies for modelers and model builders; radio-controlled enthusiasts won't be forgotten either. I also stock rolling stock, flying equipment, and navigation equipment, from entry-level models at low prices to much more sophisticated options for the more discerning enthusiasts. Workshops will also be offered to explore the various aspects of model railroading.
You are the only model shop in the area. What geographical area do you expect to reach?
I was pleasantly surprised during this first week of opening, welcoming people from the valley and Villé of course, but also from the surrounding valleys, the Bruche Valley, Sainte Marie, and residents of Strasbourg, Colmar, Molsheim, and Saint-Dié. The Facebook activity of the Rail Modélisme Alsace page has also already reached people from the Nancy region.
The geographical location of Villé therefore seems to be a very good choice and will surely allow us to reach and promote the valley beyond its mountain passes.
How will your store be organized?
Will people be able to test models, will there be a space for second-hand or exchange items?
We've remained big kids at heart, and we love to play. I've set up a display case showcasing the different railway scales, the most common ones: G, O, HO, N, Z.
I have installed a network with two circuits, in HO and N, which allows you to play, test and present railway rolling stock, also with the help of computer software.
I also have a functional display "module" that presents the Car System, that famous system that brings our road vehicles to life, as if by magic, with traffic with anti-collision, bifurcation, bus stop, parking, etc.
On some shelves, you'll also find second-hand items: locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, and pre-assembled houses. You'll also discover various items from my own collection or from the consignment sales I run, with the agreement of those wishing to part with a few models or an entire collection. We then discuss the terms of the sale together, primarily through the provision of a voucher valid in my shop.
And you Denis, what is your preferred area of expertise in model making?
For me, it's model trains that fascinate me the most, digital ones in particular, with their multiple possibilities to stick as closely as possible to reality.
Currently, our models are equipped with lights, sound, and smoke. If they aren't, I can handle the modifications or demonstrate how to do it myself through workshops. Part of my work also involves assisting individuals with the creation or transformation of their networks, which is why the shop will be closed on Mondays, allowing me to travel to people's homes if they wish.
So, there's also the delicatessen and jarred food side for your "Natural and Traditional Tastes" brand.
What do you want to offer your clients?
Indeed, one of the two display cases is topped with this name, it's my cooking side that's coming out.
The idea is to offer fine grocery products, organic spices and herbs, saffron, black garlic, oils, fine vinegars, etc., products which will also be used to make the jars, glass being a recyclable material which generates less waste.
Will the products you offer in your jars be from the Valley?
Upon arriving in the valley, I discovered a multitude of small producers, farms, local markets and artisans close to their customers.
It would be absurd to look elsewhere when we have a multitude of products readily available through short supply chains right at our fingertips.
Do you already have an idea of the different dishes that we can come and pick up from your place?
These will be authentic dishes, "cooked" recipes.
I am not a fan of so-called "molecular" cuisine and so-called "revisited" dishes.
A blanquette is a blanquette, a lamb navarin, a beef bourguignon, a rooster in beer (from Guth's, of course!)….
I still have a small brown book on hand that we acquired many years ago and which was part of the "kit" at hotel school, "the kitchen directory", it's a bit like the cook's Bible…
In the valley you can find all the products needed to prepare dishes that take time to make and that lend themselves to low-temperature cooking, which respects their texture and taste, and even other more subtle surprises….
Your business card says: "Healthy Eating". What do you mean by that?
You should know that in my somewhat crazy, hectic life as a restaurant owner, running around until all hours and pushing my body to its limits, I one day found myself weighing 135 kg with a wrecked ankle and knee. Following the advice of a new doctor, I started a dietary rebalancing, a more thoughtful analysis of the food I was consuming haphazardly throughout a fast-paced day—things we learn about food hygiene in culinary school but quickly forget in the face of our busy, perhaps overly busy, lives.
In one year it allowed me to lose the kilos that were endangering my life, without having suffered from deprivation and cravings.
I surely owe this weight loss to having by my side in my life a little woman, a naturopath by profession, who runs a practice in Sélestat, the very one who introduced me to the valley, and also a simple and healthy way to stay healthier in everyday life.
From this came the idea of combining a healthy and thoughtful diet with the creation of my jars.
By using local products, close to Nature, by working them simply without adding multiple magic powders supposed to improve their lifespan, but which, we easily forget, are very harmful to our body, by prioritizing their taste and their gustatory and natural properties, and by staying within the Tradition that has been taught to us, I aspire to offer dishes that could improve our daily well-being.
Many spices and foods have healing properties that are neglected through forgetfulness or lack of knowledge.
I would like to share with my customers, through the products that will be offered to them, a new vision of healthy and sensible eating over the coming days and weeks.
For the moment, before I can offer my jars, I must first undertake some work to bring the establishment up to standard, that is why we will start by offering you some fine grocery products, organic vanilla, saffron from Alsace, black garlic, herbal teas and other superfoods that may awaken your curiosity.
What do you like about the Villé Valley?
The feeling of well-being and warrior's rest provided by the surrounding nature, the pure air and the bucolic atmosphere that reigns everywhere around the small villages, the exceptional volume of goods and services offered within the valley.
If you had to choose only one place in the valley, which would it be?
“Our” bench on the heights of Breitenau…
Denis, I'll leave you with the final word to encourage our readers to come and visit you and discover your products.
I think everyone will find something in the store to satisfy the curiosity and the sweet tooth of the child that has remained hidden deep inside us.
(Re)creation, imagination, escape, through model making on the one hand, but also through flavors to (re)discover and share, for the pleasure of the taste buds and well-being as a result.
I am currently available to welcome you on Tuesday to Friday afternoons, from 15pm to 19pm, and on Saturdays, from 15pm to 18pm.
Hope to meet you !
Thank you for this interview and thank you for the warm welcome I received in the most beautiful of valleys!
Denis, we thank you for your time and wish you great success.