Just over a year ago, seven determined women came together to create La Tétro, a socially responsible event cooperative located in the quiet neighborhood of Tétreauville. Kim Dutremble, one of the co-owners, shares their inspiring entrepreneurial journey.
“The Seven Witches” | Co-owners of La Tétro | ©Saphir Optimiste
On the photo from left to right Émilie Grau, Suzie Miron et Kim Dutremble
“The Seven Witches” | Co-owners of La Tétro
It was following the closure of Espace Tétro Coop, due to financial difficulties, that seven residents of Tétreauville decided to join forces to revive this beloved neighborhood cabaret under a new name: La Tétro.
For most of them, it was their first leap into the world of entrepreneurship. According to Kim, it’s the diversity of their professional backgrounds and the complementarity of their skills that make this committed team successful. “We really have a mix of different strengths, which makes for a real force. Everyone brings their own flavor,” she explains.
From the start, they aimed to create an inclusive and welcoming space that invites locals to gather, share, and most of all, have fun! To truly understand La Tétro, you have to understand its neighborhood, commonly called the Far East of Montreal or T-Town. Nestled between the river and Highway 25, Tétreauville is seen by its residents as an urban village, rich in community spirit and mutual support.
Preparing to Launch a Business Project
For six months, the seven co-owners worked tirelessly to get their project off the ground. To maximize their chances of success, Kim enrolled in Parcours COOP, accompanied by one of the other co-owners. This training and coaching program, specialized for cooperatives, helped them better define their business model and identify their revenue streams. It was through this process that they decided to add venue rentals to the company’s service offering, contributing to its financial sustainability.
In alignment with their values, the co-owners also partnered with other cooperatives and organizations in the neighborhood to prepare for La Tétro’s opening, including a marketing expert to promote the new space.
Financing the Business with Microcredit Montréal
With high startup costs, a lack of financial resources was one of the biggest challenges the entrepreneurs faced. To protect their financial well-being, they decided to create an emergency fund for the business.
On the advice of someone in their network, they reached out to Microcredit Montréal to apply for a loan, which they successfully obtained. Beyond financial stability, the loan gave them peace of mind and a sense of security in the face of the unexpected.
For now, all of La Tétro’s revenues are reinvested in the cooperative, and each co-owner continues to work full-time outside of the business. “Yes, we’re doing it to earn money, but first and foremost, we’re doing it for our neighborhood and for our own well-being,” Kim adds.
©Saphir Optimiste
A Neighborhood Space for All of Montreal
When asked “How is the co-op doing today?”, Kim answers enthusiastically: “Nothing but good things!”
In May 2025, La Tétro celebrated its first anniversary! Today, this warm and welcoming space is well-known and enjoys a regular clientele that extends beyond the borders of Tétreauville. The regulars make it a mission to welcome new visitors into the big family that is La Tétro.
Each week, a diverse program highlights culture, while activities for both families and adults are also offered. Whether you come solo, as a couple, with your family, or with friends, there’s something for everyone—and everyone is welcome!
Their full event schedule and information on venue rental can be found on their website: latetrocoop.ca
Just like La Tétro, would you also like to benefit from financial support and coaching from Microcredit Montréal to bring your business ideas to life?