Mimimelon owner Jennie Volfson surveys the damage to her bakery after Wednesday’s fire. (Tim Snow / Montreal Gazette)
A kosher bakery in Montreal’s Saint-Laurent borough was gutted by fire early Wednesday morning in what police are treating as a deliberate arson attack, the second time the business has been targeted in less than 48 hours.
The blaze at Mimimelon broke out around 12:30 a.m. on November 4th and took approximately 60 firefighters roughly two hours to bring under control. Owner Jennie Volfson described the damage as a total loss affecting the business and neighboring shops. No injuries were reported.
Mimimelon’s storefront on Saint-Louis Street, taped off after Wednesday’s fire. (Tim Snow / Montreal Gazette)
Two Attacks in 48 Hours
The business was first targeted Monday night around 11:30 p.m. Volfson said surveillance footage showed a person attempting to enter through a rear door before throwing liquid against the building’s exterior, setting it on fire and fleeing. Firefighters kept the flames from spreading inside, and that attempt caused no significant damage. The footage was given to police.
In Wednesday’s fire, investigators found evidence the blaze was deliberately set, and police described the damage as considerable.
The bakery’s rear entrance, where the first attack was attempted Monday night. (Tim Snow / Montreal Gazette)
Hate Crimes Unit Investigating
Both the Montreal police arson squad and the department’s hate crimes unit are investigating, with police citing the bakery’s ties to the local Jewish community. No arrests have been reported, and police have not announced a motive.
Volfson said she fears the attacks were motivated by antisemitism. She told police that in mid-September, a person with a covered face opened the bakery’s door and shouted that all the Jews would burn before leaving. The encounter was not captured on camera, and police have not said whether they believe it is connected to this week’s fires.
The fire is the second suspected arson attack to destroy a kosher establishment in Montreal in recent months. Kosher cafe NÖAM was destroyed in a suspected arson attack in August.
“We are heartbroken by this tragedy, which has affected not only our family and staff, but also neighboring businesses that were impacted by the fire,” the bakery said in a statement Wednesday.
The interior of Mimimelon after Wednesday’s fire. (Tim Snow / Montreal Gazette)
A Family Business Serving the Community
Volfson bought Mimimelon in January 2015 and runs the business with her husband and father-in-law. The bakery specializes in peanut-free, tree-nut-free and dairy-free products, and many customers rely on it for bread and other food ahead of Shabbat.
The pastry and bread display at Mimimelon, before the fires. (via Google Maps)
Volfson said it is too early to know whether the bakery can reopen, but she hopes to continue providing at least some services with help from neighboring businesses. Police plan to increase their presence in the area in the coming days.
Inside Mimimelon, a gathering spot for regular customers since 2015. (via Google Maps)
Mimimelon Info
Mimimelon is located at 2069 Saint-Louis Street in Montreal’s Saint-Laurent borough. The bakery is certified kosher by Montreal Kosher (MK) and is known for its nut-free and dairy-free baked goods, pastries, chocolates and catering.
Mimimelon’s storefront on Saint-Louis Street, before the fires. (via Google Maps)
Find kosher options in Montreal on the YeahThatsKosher app: YeahThatsKosher.com/app