Eclectic. Inspiring. Sophisticated. Creative. Fun. All these words describe Gracie Jane’s Boutique Gallery & Bar, a St. Albert establishment where patrons can stop by for specialty cocktails and a warm welcome.
And the new documentary Love Gracie, by local video production company Road 55, has captured it all.
Stepping into the boutique gallery and bar is like stepping into old Hollywood’s celebrity era circa 1960s to 1980s. Founder/owner Gracie Jane Genereaux, an artist as well as a barkeep, has painted the walls, ceiling and every table and chair with the likenesses of Elvis, Tom Petty, Cher, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury and more. Even the piano is a Liberace painting.
Although difficult to define her style, it merges realism and the abstract with a hint of Art Deco. Art Deco flourished in the 1920s to the 1930s with decorative craftsmanship, sleek stylized forms and motifs inspired by the ancient world.
A one-of-a-kind, the venue blurs the lines between art and interior decoration, gallery space and entertainment venue. At first glance one could assume the gallery-bar caters primarily to creative people who enjoy philosophical debates and networking opportunities.
“I like to cater to every walk of life. We’re all equal here. When someone comes in, I don’t know if they’ve had a good day, or if they’re being abused or if they have a terminal disease. I like to go over to people and open the conversation with every walk of life,” Genereaux said.
The barkeep’s warmheartedness comes after working in the hospitality industry managing hotel bars and lounges for close to three decades. It endowed her with unique insights into the human condition, as well as an ingrained belief that all patrons are worthy of “respect.”
“She’s the most thoughtful, loving person you can imagine. She’s genuine with everyone who walks through the door, whether it’s their first time or have been here with her since the beginning,” said Rob LeLacheur, director and creative engine behind Road 55.
He first met Genereaux after walking into the art gallery to share a cold beer with friends. Intrigued by the gallery-bar and the woman who created it top-to-bottom at the age of 64, LeLacheur offered to film a video documentary about her life. Love Gracie is now available on YouTube.
The director was aware of parts of Genereaux's life, but the video revealed how as a single mother of three she worked in hospitality to support her children, yet managed to find time to paint for herself.
LeLacheur skillfully compresses seven decades of living into a one-hour documentary where Genereaux describes her successes and the adversities she faced.
“Over the years, she built a community going from art to hospitality. And she had faith they would support her through her journey with the gallery-bar,” he said.
In fact, Genereaux talks about the day she opened the bar nine years ago.
“I had $17 in loonies in my till on opening day," she said. "But I brought in enough sales that day to stay open then and every day since then.”
“We tell the story of such a unique place," LeLacheur said. "There’s no place in the world like it. We’re not only giving insight into the bar, but also Gracie’s overnight success that was 50 years in the making. Not many people knew her story and we give a good understanding of what led to it. It did not disappoint."
"Everyone loves Gracie. There are some tough parts learning about what she’s been through. She’s both an artist and an entrepreneur, and hearing her story of challenges would stop so many people in their tracks. Gracie found a way to keep going with her no-quit attitude. For me this was more of a passion project than a business project.”
The official documentary is available on YouTube at The 'Love Gracie' Official Documentary - YouTube.
