An immersion in the ethos of Bonjour Jacob, among items, reading materials, vinyl records, and a coffee experience – fostering craftsmanship and quality
«When we introduce ourself to individuals or when we meet people ourselves, we begin with a ‘Hello’. The French essence that Aurelie and me retained as the establishment in France».This, as he states, is a trait where his partner, Ms Galopin and himself, have visualized the environs of the store to be a delivery of information and a euphony for community within the area that they reside in.
The People of Bonjour Jacob
«I’m known amongst my peers as Jacob. It’s an inside joke that I created in my time working in at a consultancy agency», shares Hani Belahcene. Speaking on behalf of the establishment that he co-owns with his partner Aurelie Galopin. Mr Belahcene explains that the ideation of the concept store Bonjour Jacob was a means to dispense printed periodicals into the environs of Paris. Having lived in France for the span of fifteen years, Mr Belahcene explicates that while his verbal command in the English language is not his bailiwick. His ardor for printed goods in English and varied languages speared the physicality of Bonjour Jacob.
«If it came down to it, I would say that Bonjour Jacob is an act by two dreamers from opposite ends of the spectrum». As Mr Belahcene goes on explaining the process that led to the physicality of the concept store. He highlights the means in which Bonjour Jacob operates – through independent-funding and away from the dictation of privatized owners. «It is a responsibility between Aurelie. And I who are the primary funders and owners of the business since founding it in 2021. Having independence as two business owners was a matter that held gravitas», he states. Mr Belahcene explicates that the two co-owners arrived together from incongruent backgrounds.
Luxury knowledge for business purposes
While there was a dissimilarity, he states that there was a polyphony that the two found between themselves. The co-owner delineates his partners’ profession as once having been a luxury pastry chef. Having come from this realm. He adds that her know-how of the craft was honed under the tutelage of the French pastry chef Pierre Hermé. «Aurelie gained her expertise in luxury and healthy food making at the Maison Pierre Hermé». This, Mr Belahcene construes, will allow for understanding of Ms Galopin’s role in the fabrication of Bonjour Jacob.
When prodded on his career path before taking on the role as co-owner to Bonjour Jacob. Mr Belahcene expounds that his career in brand consulting opposes the one his partner once held. It is this through this belief of his, that Bonjour Jacob has grown in being a purveyor of magazines. «My time at the agency was spent in overseeing digital transformations of business across projects for brands and individuals. Some of the projects that I partook in resulted in the formation of a record label, the realization of a podcast and artistic endeavors for creators of sorts. My verboseness in music intertwines in Bonjour Jacob».
The Story Behind the ‘Hello’
Having spent a period of their time seeking out a name for the concept store. One which Mr Belahcene describes to be a space merged together by an accoutrement of varied items. The co-owner shares that it was a shared decision to name the store after what was a commonplace in human culture: the meeting of individuals. Mr Belahcene explicates that the word ‘Bonjour’ derived from the French greeting that is recognizable on a universal scale. «When we introduce to individuals or when we meet people ourselves, we begin with a ‘Hello’. This was the French essence that Aurelie and me retained as the establishment is rooted here in France».
The co-owner goes on to state that the environs that was within the confines of Bonjour Jacob was a means to facilitate the connections between those who entered the space for the first time. And for the individuals that frequented it. «The collation of items offered to consumers here at Bonjour Jacob characterizes the experience – done through coffee, reading materials, and concept items that we have added in over the months».
The name ‘Jacob’
It was the name of the business that was awarded to Mr Belahcene in his time as a consultant. He shares that his peers, who included him in business deals with clients. Found his skills to be similar to the apostle Jacob. Being the ‘problem solver’ amongst his group of peers, Mr Belahcene says, «this is how I got the nickname. The word Jacob, as well, is a name that is pronounceable across tongues and cultures of the world. That is why Aurelie and I went with this».
Mr Belahcene adds that the intent of curating the establishment plays in with the meaning of the name and what the co-owner has been doing in his time as a business owner. He explicates that in being ‘Jacob’. His aim is to impact the perception of the consumers of the store. Allowing for the growth in the consumption of recondite reading materials and items sold within the space.
The Philosophies and Physicality of Bonjour Jacob
When queried on the philosophies and modes of functions in which Bonjour Jacob operates in, Mr Belahcene offers three key answers. Generosity and openness, quality, and timeliness. Generosity is, as he states, a trait where himself and Ms Galopin have visualized the environs of the store to be a delivery of information for the community within the area that they reside in. «The way in which the store is reminiscent to that of a gallery, a space that honors art in its forms and is a gathering place to exchange knowledge in the arts and literature. This is what we intend to do here at Bonjour Jacob and it is an effort that we work through to see every day».
Prior the inception of Bonjour Jacob. Offering items of quality to those traversing into the store was the priority. Mr Belahcene lists the commodities sold in Bonjour Jacob. Primary items include esoteric periodicals and magazines that are handpicked by Mr Belahcene himself. Sourced from across locations worldwide, the same is with the proposed vinyls. «My passion and ardor for music has led me to inculcate music into the way in which Bonjour Jacob operates. We have a vinyl player that once belonged to me which now sits in the confines of the store for the use of the customers».
Costumer care and readers engagement
At Bonjour Jacob, customers can choose to spend time perusing the magazines on display. Listening to records that have been handpicked by Mr Belahcene himself. Catering to a varied market, Mr Belahcene explicates that his managing of magazines and vinyls are in an equal manner between him and his partner. Ms Galopin also takes care of the selection of coffees from locations across the globe. «Our roles are based on our expertise. We each bring in an offering to Bonjour Jacob based on what we know best ».
Offering magazines, mooks [magazine books] and a selection of books in a limited volume, Mr Belahcene highlights the of having the ability to pass along information to its readers while retaining quality also through the visual cues being presented. Finally, when asked on what Mr Belahcene intended with ‘timeliness’. He states that his aim is for the items carried and sold within Bonjour Jacob to stand the test of time. Maintaining this relevance throughout months or years, items are able to retain their value and reduce the need for repurchasing, fostering craftsmanship and quality.
Bonjour Jacob and The Supply Chain
Alongside to acting as a seller for magazines, books, coffee, and vinyls, Bonjour Jacob’s space in 28 Rue Yves Toudic is open for collaborations and exhibitions. «We offer our space to those in need to use it. We have had books signings and other events in the store. This space exists in tandem to the photography gallery space». Highlighting the works of creators. Mr Belahcene shares that his intent is also to introduce the works of creators to a fresh audience. When asked on Bonjour Jacobs’s attempts in maintaining an effort to remain sustainable. Mr Belahcene stresses the importance of sourcing and paying attention to the supply chain in which each material comes from.
«The items we sell here follows sustainability. Aurelie and I did this as we believe that the impact of any industry is inevitable. As such, is our efforts to being socially and environmentally sustainable. Packaging pays attention in avoiding excess plastic». The reading materials at Bonjour Jacob as well, Mr Belahcene explains. Ink is non-toxic and holds a minimal impact against the environment and the paper used in the production of reads is often recycled.
Bonjour Jacob
28 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris, France
A concept store known for resourcing recondite magazines, Bonjour Jacob began as a partnership between two partners of sorts based in Paris. Formatting Bonjour Jacob as a means to connect with the general populous. The concept store serves coffee, vinyl records and photographic artwork as a means to disseminate art.
