Patrick Mainville News Today

"There are landlords who want to surf on Wellington St.’s reputation," said Anne St-Hilaire, who is moving her business off the trendy street.

Each summer, Wellington Street in Montreal's Verdun borough becomes a pedestrian-only zone. Some residents want that concept to become permanent.

  MONTREAL -- In a dimly lit Verdun basement, groups of pre-teens have set aside their bathing suits and skateboards to dive into their passion for rock and roll. Like an echo of their parents musical tastes, the players thrash their instruments to the sound of Deep Purple or AC/DC. “I like Guns and Roses and Led Zeppelin,” says 12-year-old drummer Paul Anthony, while keeping the beat to Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train. “I like pop, I like rock, but I dont like pop rock,” quips 12 y...