Shop Till You Drop

Keep those doors open, shopkeepers of Old Quebec.
Joannie Rochette's got 100 bucks to burn.
A well-earned C-note, we might add.
"I guess I'll go shopping with Manon (Perron, her coach)," Rochette said after concluding at least three waves of media inquiries after her short program at HomeSense Skate Canada on Friday night.
She quickly added she's be doing it on Perron's dime.
Well, just a wee bit more than that, actually, courtesy a friendly wager between coach and pupil about the triple flip-triple toe combination both know Rochette needs to climb to the next level on the world scene.
"We made a bet," Rochette said about the combination, which she landed at a Quebec summer competition. "If I try it, she gives me $100. If I don't try it, I give her $100."
All in fun, of course. But now the business is a little more serious, and Rochette didn't quite get the combo done Friday night because the landing on the flip wasn't sturdy enough. Now she finds herself in fifth place, 3.7 points off the pace set by surprising leader Laura Lepisto of Finland (59.18).
Rochette says the gap won't be in mind when she takes the ice for Saturday's free skate final.
"You don't go on the ice trying to do math," she said.
Save that for later, when the bargain hunting truly begins.
***
For all the accolades she's earned in this country, Rochette has never competed at a major event in her home province. Until now, that is.
"It was a bit overwhelming when I got on the ice," the 21-year-old from Ile-Dupas, Que., said of the wild cheers from the Pepsi Colisee audience. "It was like 'whoa.' But I just stayed in my bubble and tried to concentrate.' "
This event was held here back in 2002, but Rochette wasn't in the field.
***
We're here for figure skating, but the Colisee — once the home of the NHL's Quebec Nordiques — reeks hockey from every corner. Take a quick tour around the building, and you'll see a display case full of memorabilia gathered from Jean Beliveau, my boyhood hockey hero who started his pro career here with the old Quebec Aces.
Banners hanging from the ceiling honour such names as Guy Lafleur, Simon Gagne, J.C. Tremblay, Marc Tardif, Michel Goulet and Peter Stastny, all of whom played within these old walls.
There's even a picture of former Quebec Remparts captain Josh Hennessy, who's now with the Ottawa Senators' farm team in Binghamton, N.Y.
Oh, and the hot dogs? Steamed and served up in a toasted bun.
Yeah, they know how to do it right here.