“This outpouring of generosity overwhelmed me! »: the incredible mobilization of a village in Bas-Rhin for its baker

Should we see this as a sign of protection from the patron saint of bakers? “My bakery is called Le Saint-Honoré both because it is a cake but also because it is the protector of our profession,” explains Benjamin Gillet, the owner of this business in Soultz-sous-Forêts (Bas-Rhin). The forty-year-old finally gets his head out of the water after ten days where he oscillated between stress and worry. “I really thought I was going to have to end my business,” the baker confides with emotion.

It must be said that the craftsman had a day that he will remember for a long time, last May 3. “I was working with my apprentice, busy preparing my croissants, when suddenly the power went out,” recalls the Alsatian. If Benjamin Gillet initially believes in a breakdown, the reality is quite different. “I quickly understood that I was the only one affected by this cut in the neighborhood and that it was my unpaid bills…” confesses the forty-year-old.

“I shared my ordeal on Facebook”

Last December, the baker received a payment notice of 4,400 euros from the manager Electricité de Strasbourg (ES). An exorbitant amount explained by the sharp rise in energy prices. “I deliberately made the decision not to pay this amount because I could not afford it. As a result, ES terminated my electricity contract,” says the Soultzois.

For Benjamin Gillet, the situation is terrible and he immediately thinks of the danger to his activity. “I posted a message on my Facebook account and shared my ordeal, announcing that I was probably going to go out of business. With the rise in the prices of raw materials, the increase in my rent and my impossible working hours by getting up at 2:30 in the morning, I can’t get by,” concedes the Bas-Rhinois.

Immediately, solidarity is organized, starting with that of his apprentice. “This 17-year-old young man opened an online fundraiser with his father to help me. To date, they have collected around 2,000 euros,” continues the artisan. Touched by his message on the social network, the mayor of Soultz-sous-Forêts also contacted Benjamin. “The Saint-Honoré is one of only two bakeries in our town so if it closes its doors it will be a tragedy for a village of 3,000 inhabitants. I therefore suggested that he enter into negotiations with ES,” testifies Christophe Schimpf. A gesture which bears fruit since the electricity manager agrees to restore power to Saint-Honoré the next day and even proposes an installment of the debt.

“My banker also allowed me to defer the due dates of my loans for six months and my landlord kindly offered me one month’s rent to relieve me,” says Benjamin. An avalanche of thumbs up that upset the baker. “I was very moved by all these gestures, not to mention all the customers, regulars or not, who came to the store to show their support. Some took extra pastries from me or refused to let me give them change to help me,” emphasizes the entrepreneur.

So much so that Benjamin has already been able to pay 2,000 euros out of the 4,000 he owes ES. A beautiful generosity which re-motivated the native of Soultz-sous-Forêts. “If only out of loyalty to all the people who helped me, I will continue my activity,” promises the boss, hoping that my story will allow everyone to realize the difficulties of the baker’s profession. »

Prize pool link: https://www.leetchi.com/fr/c/sauvons-notre-patisserie-st-honore-1131273