Posted on 3 June 2025
In La Roche-sur-Yon, there's a small bar that smells of aperitifs, sharing, and delicious Vendée products. Its name? Matthew's Counter.
Its creator? Matthew, a former technician and salesperson in climate control engineering, converted into an artisan grocer out of passion. Opened in spring 2024, his shop quickly became a haven for lovers of authenticity, artisanal discoveries, and good humor.
An adventure born from pastis and the desire to undertake...
It all starts with “Around Pastis”, the first name of the brand. Then the adventure grew with the purchase of the stocks of coffee, tea, beer and chocolate from the grocery store "Chez Pascal / L'Orgerie". The whole thing became Matthew's Counter, a boutique in its image: generous, friendly and focused on local products.
We find everything for the perfect aperitif : sausages, spreads, wines, beers, teas, coffees, pastis, chocolates… Products artisans, local and carefully chosen, to share around a good time.
But beware : Working with Matthieu is worth it ! Each producer must offer at least one pastis to be part of the adventure. It's his personal touch.
For the rest, it works on the basis of love at first sight, encounters, and human connection. That's what makes all the difference.
This adventure, Matthew did not see her alone. He started at the same time as several local artisans who became friends:
Fabian (Fab's Dryer)
Roman (Sourdough on 20)
Pierre and Kevin (The Berteaud Manceau Cellar)
Vincent (With Small Vegetables)
Laetitia (The Puffin – oyster farmer)
and Thomas (Samoussto).
Together they founded The Yonnais Producers' Tables : a happy band of enthusiasts who organize festive markets with large table, shared meal and warm atmosphere.
"It's a bit like the banquet at the end of an Asterix and Obelix adventure.”, smiles Matthew.
Next meeting :
July 4 at Fab's Dryer, with more than 20 producers gathered for a day that is as delicious as it is friendly!
Otherwise, if you want to find Le Comptoir de Matthieu this summer outside of the grocery store, you can come across him on the Vendée roads au Campilo Aubigny, the Vendée Colors Holiday Village in Mareuil-sur-Lay …and in others surprise places, because Matthew loves to "go outside the counter" to meet you !
"The Sweet Hour of Noon"
Matthieu is always looking for great ideas for to please your customers et to introduce them to new things, he launched "The Sweet Hour of Noon" : a generous aperitif formula to savor on site, like at home.
On the menu ? A beautiful board composed of favorite products, local, artisanal, sometimes unexpected…
All at 15 € per person, served as 11h to 16h, by reservation.
If you're keen to discover Le Comptoir de Matthieu (and we understand!), here's all the information:
Matthieu’s Counter – 3 Place Napoléon, 85000, La Roche-sur-Yon
Tuesday to Saturday from 10 p.m. to 19 p.m.
www.autourdupastis.fr
Instagram: le_comptoir_de_matthieu
Facebook: Matthieu's Counter
Because here, it's much more than a shop : it is a place of life, a haunt of bon vivants and the fruit of a great local dynamic.
If you like products that have taste et traders who have heart, then one thing is certain: All you have to do is push open the door... and let yourself be surprised!