Group robs bakery over payment system
A masked group robbed the Mamie Clafoutis bakery on St‑Denis on Friday morning, in protest of an automated payment system the bakery is experimenting with – a 24/7 store with no cashiers, which they’re calling BASIQ.
Mozai 10:56 on 2026-05-02 Permalink
I was a regular but after the renovation they wouldn’t take money. The staff weren’t apologetic nor snobby, just a neutral “that’s not a thing anymore.” I checked in about a year later and still wouldn’t take money. The place used to be crowded and now it isn’t, but it’s still there so they must be able to pay rent.
Kevin 11:08 on 2026-05-02 Permalink
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it.
In all seriousness, what did they think would happen if they opened a store relying on the honour system to make payments?
Kate 11:12 on 2026-05-02 Permalink
Is it even legal not to accept legal tender?
Chris 11:15 on 2026-05-02 Permalink
Kate: it is.
R T 11:52 on 2026-05-02 Permalink
Multiple shops in the United States are using automated technology without widespread shoplifting, even in cities where you’d expect to see it, but many of them rely on turnstiles and cameras, rather than trusting you to scan things on your phone.
Some of those shops have non-cashiers on site to help customers and deal with other tasks—but so did Mamie Clafoutis at the time of the theft:
“Selon ce que ses employés ont pu observer, M. Delourmel explique que deux membres du groupe bloquaient les portes pendant qu’un troisième criait des slogans. C’est un pâtissier qui a finalement mis fin à l’intrusion, en moins de deux minutes.”
jeather 11:52 on 2026-05-02 Permalink
I know a few other places that only accept credit or debit.
I admit I don’t care because I think Mamie Clafoutis is overrated at best, not sure I ever had anything from there I thought even hit adequate.
Joey 13:15 on 2026-05-02 Permalink
Unlike the vigilanteism at the Maxi store (which, as we saw, only early affects Loblaw’s bottom line, and at $5K is basically meaningless), you really need to twist yourself into a pretzel to plausibly justify this – you may disapprove of their going cashless or turning your bakery into a giant vending machine but you have the option of simply… not shopping there.
Nicholas 13:31 on 2026-05-02 Permalink
There just seems to be a lot of sympathy lately for theft and it’s in the same category as the other anti-social behaviour like smoking on the metro. It’s ok being you’re doing it for a cause or to stick it to the man.
Often ignored in these situations is the employee, and it often sucks for them. I’ve had to call cops on people who got violent or made threats and it’s not fun. Even if there’s no physical altercation, this stuff is not something to be cheered.