On the corner of Saint-Urbain Street and Mont-Royal Avenue stands a Montreal Jewish landmark. Its history is signified today by the mural on the red brick wall depicting its founders, Hymie and Freda Sckolnick. Behind the painted bricks lies Beauty’s: A diner with classy blue booths, historical Montreal memorabilia, and photos of famous customers and generations of families.
Before founding Beauty’s in 1942, Hymie Sckolnick sold sandwiches to the workers in the many surrounding garment factories of Montreal’s Plateau area. When given the opportunity to buy a local store, the Bancroft Stationery Store, he couldn’t pass it up. When Hymie took over, it was merely “a cigarette shop with stationery, sodas, and chocolate bars,” Elana Sckolnick, Hymie’s granddaughter, said.
But Hymie’s previous job soon became part of his new business. Located in the middle of a booming garment industry, the shop was surrounded by workers who needed lunch. So Freda Skolnick, his wife, created a sandwich counter. As it grew more popular, the local community came to Beauty’s even on their days off. The store transitioned to a sit-down brunch place— “one of the first places, or maybe the first place, with the idea of a sit-down brunch,” Elana said.
The “Bancroft Stationery Store” evolved into “Beauty’s” thanks to Hymie’s bowling nickname. Referring to Hymie, when people headed to the Sckolnick’s store, they would say they’re going to Beauty’s. The name caught on, and in 1960, when Hymie’s son began working there, they finally adopted the name Beauty’s and officially changed the sign. Hymie was the lifeline of the store-turned-diner. He worked until he was 96, watching Beauty’s change and grow.
From the very beginning, as Elana described, Beauty’s has been a family establishment. Hymie was always in the front of the restaurant, working the counter while Freda developed the menu. Together, with his “great personality” and her work as the “woman behind the scenes”, they created a beloved Jewish restaurant. The menu Freda crafted reflects their culture, comprising Kosher-style food for their Jewish demographic. In the time preceding Hymie’s death, there were sometimes days when four generations of Sckolnicks would be working together. Now, the store is run by Hymie’s son and granddaughters.
Beauty’s customer base has changed as the Plateau’s population has evolved. When it first opened, the Plateau was a predominantly Jewish area. Now, Elana says that “on a day-to-day basis” she is serving “the local French Canadians or local people that work in the neighbourhood”. Just as the area has been shaped by Beauty’s, the local population has shaped the restaurant, too. Menu items have been influenced by kitchen employees throughout the years, with items like the Greek-inspired lentil soup serving as their legacies.
Still, Beauty’s remains a proudly Jewish establishment and its menu continues to feature staple Jewish foods. Elana says that “I feel happy because customers know that I’m Jewish, and if they ask me, I do say I’m Jewish and that these are Jewish delicacies that we’re serving.”
Elana’s favourite menu item is “probably the blintzes” and are likely to be the best you’ll ever have. And their smoothies – Elana claims “Beauty’s was the first place in Montreal to really popuralize [smoothies]” – remain a go-to for customers.
Beauty’s is as popular as ever, and not just among Jews. On the weekends and throughout the summer, there’s a long line outside. They have 6,900 followers on Instagram and have been visited by too many celebrities to count. Just some of the many notable visitors include Jennifer Lawrence, Hugh Jackman, Adam Sandler, Jimmy Kimmel, Howie Mandel, and Sarah Silverman.
It’s not only the food that makes Beauty’s special, though. You’re surrounded by families and groups of friends of all ages and demographics, all appreciating top-notch Jewish food. I’m awaiting my next excuse to go to Beauty’s and to get the best taste of Montreal’s Jewish history and culture—and you should head over there, too.
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