The Incredible Journey of a Little Boy Who Loved Chocolate

And who loved sharing smiles just as much.

In the early 1960s, an eight-year-old boy named Michael Eskenazi was already wearing a chef’s hat in his family kitchen. He proudly served five-course meals and always ended them with a rich, chocolate-filled dessert. Chocolate was not just a treat. It was his passion.

As he grew up, Michael dreamed of becoming a great chef. Life pulled him toward clothing retail instead of cooking, but the dream stayed alive. Then everything shifted.

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A Life-Changing Trip and an Unexpected Twist

During a trip to Manhattan, Michael discovered gourmet cookie boutiques on almost every corner. Inspiration struck instantly. Days later, he was fired from his retail job. Most people would panic. Michael took it as a sign from above.

It was time to follow his dream.

He knew exactly what he wanted to do:

Bake the best cookies in the world and make people smile.

Creating the Original Félix and Norton Cookie Recipes

Back at home, supported by his wife and his close friend Félix, Michael committed himself to the ultimate challenge: create the perfect cookie.

His kitchen became a full-on cookie laboratory for nearly a year.
Different flours. Different butters. Endless chocolates.
Family and friends taste-tested hundreds of versions until the famous Félix and Norton recipes were perfected.

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The First Monsieur Félix and Mr. Norton Cookie Shop

On April 24, 1985, the first shop opened on Queen Mary Road in Montreal. To attract customers on day one, they hand-delivered cookies to local radio stations, hoping for a mention.

Every single host talked about them.

By 9 a.m., a line stretched down the block. Hundreds of cookie lovers waited for a taste.

The moment they tried them, it was love at first bite.

Within four years, eight boutiques opened across the city. Félix and Norton became a Montreal sensation, appearing on TV, radio and magazine covers. Their creative gift ideas like Cookie Bouquets and the Magnummm became must-have presents.

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Success, Setbacks and a Hard Turn

As demand exploded, they expanded to Ottawa and built a large bakery to keep up. But rapid growth came with challenges. Bad partnerships, tough market conditions and a few costly decisions eventually pushed the retail division into bankruptcy in 1998.

Only the factory, the recipes and the trademark survived.

Attempts to rebuild faced even more obstacles. Investments fell through. Opportunities collapsed at the last minute. After years of highs and lows, Michael stepped away to recover.

Rebuilding the Dream One Cookie at a Time

Michael knew the Félix and Norton brand still lived in the hearts of Montrealers. He knew people still craved warm, freshly baked cookies. The question now was simple.

How could he bring warm cookies directly to the people again?

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Montreal’s First Cookie Food Truck

Before food trucks were trendy, Michael launched a bright pink, eco-friendly truck with a full baking kitchen inside. It served warm cookies wherever it stopped.

The response was immediate. Fans old and new lined up for a taste. The love for Félix and Norton returned stronger than ever.

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A New Generation of Cookie Lovers

Supermarkets soon wanted high-quality cookies from a brand people already adored. That is why Félix and Norton cookie dough and desserts now appear in stores like Loblaws, Metro, Longos, Provigo, IGA and many more across Canada.

And the comeback did not stop there.

In the last two years, three new Félix and Norton stores have opened around Montreal, bringing warm, freshly baked cookies back to neighbourhoods that missed them. The excitement has been incredible and more stores are on the way. Montrealers asked for the return of their favourite cookie shop, and the answer is finally here.

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And the Ending?

The story is still being written.
One cookie at a time.
One smile at a time.