King of Convenience: A Food Affaire’s Simon Gauthier

Canadian-born Simon Gauthier owns a host of businesses in Beijing, including hot dog stand No More Bunz and Italian deli Panino Giusto. He first came to Beijing to study, but has stayed on for more than ten years, working in several ventures before opening up a few of his own. Agenda met with him inside his latest establishment A Food Affaire and discussed his opinions on food, business and why he chooses to call Beijing home.

What do you miss most about home and what do you love most about living in Beijing?
I come from a very small town in Canada of about 4,000 people, where everyone knows each other and it’s very pleasant, with lots of trees and water. But it’s still small – I just prefer the big city life. Beijing has a nice buzz to it. Some people love this place, others hate it. Most drift in and out, staying for just a few years, and are completely unfazed by their time here. It becomes just another place in the world for them. But for a lot of other people myself included, Beijing turns into a more permanent place to live. After all the things I’ve done here – I met my wife here, we married here, our son was born here – it has really become home for me. Such a large part of our lives developed here.

No More Bunz and A Food Affaire are both based on a “grab and go” concept. Why do you choose this route?
With A Food Affaire, I wanted to bring good homestyle food to people on the go. I know that people miss a well-done wrap and pita, a freshly baked pie or just plain ol’ grilled vegetables. I also know that many people in this city – and especially in the Xingfucun area – work long hours and don’t have the time to sit down everyday for lunch or dinner. This deli provides them with a way to still fit quality food into their lives. The same goes for No More Bunz – there wasn’t a place at the time that sold a simple, authentic hot dog. Both of these places sprouted out of the simplest of ideas; they just provide products and services that were lacking. It’s all about convenience.

Where do you like to eat in Beijing?
I’m really not one to travel far. There are so many fantastic local places, like Purple Haze and Argana just around the corner. I mostly stick to the surrounding area.

Over the last ten years, what have been the best and worst changes to have taken place?
You know, it’s funny – people keep on saying the traffic is getting worse and worse, but I think it’s improved drastically. A few years ago traffic was nuts, but with all these new traffic restrictions [that force drivers to leave their cars at home once per week] it’s not anything like what it used to be.

What’s different about opening a business here as opposed to anywhere else? Do you have any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in Beijing?
In some ways, it’s more frustrating to open up a business here. Nothing is black and white. Back home, it may be a simple process of finding out what you need and going to get it. Here, there’s always road blocks, red tape, and regulations that make everything more difficult. Still, this is a good place to try things out. Beijing has a population of over 16 million, so the more variety we have, the better this place is for everyone. If people are interested in any type of business, go for it – you never know until you try. You may find that rent is expensive in some places, but there are tons more that are still really cheap. Your investment dollars will go much further here than in Europe or North America for sure, which makes it easier to learn the ropes.

A Food Affaire
Daily 8am-9pm. 1/F Lianbao Apartments (inside April Gourmet), 5A Xingfuyicun, Chaoyang District. (8455 1245) 朝阳区幸福一村甲5号联宝公寓1层绿叶子食品店内