Home Hardware

Home Hardware is a privately held Canadian home improvement, construction materials, and furniture retailer. Co-founded in 1964 by Walter Hachborn and headquartered in St. Jacobs, Ontario, the chain is cooperatively owned by over 1000 independently-owned member stores.



Recent History
In 1981 the Eastern-based Home Hardware merged with Western-based Link Hardware to create a national chain.

Home Hardware has survived the expansion of The Home Depot into Canada, beginning in 1994, as well as the expansion of a domestic competitor, Rona, into the big-box arena.

Home Hardware locations tend to be smaller stores. This allows the company to have a retail presence in smaller markets that may be uneconomical for large chains to compete in. This also allows for more personal, attentive customer service and retail accountability. Some locations offer a delivery program, wherein any product will be personally delivered to a customer within a reasonable vicinity of the store.

In 2000, the chain expanded through the purchase of the Beaver Lumber chain from Molson.Incidentally, Molson had previously owned another big-box chain of hardware stores, Aikenhead's, which was sold to Home Depot.

On January 11, 2003, Home Hardware received unexpected worldwide exposure, when a T-shirt worn by Avril Lavigne during a performance on Saturday Night Live featured her hometown of Napanee, Ontario and the local hardware store there. In response, the chain produced a limited-edition line of identical T-shirts for sale at locations nationwide, with proceeds going to charity.

In 2004, Canada Post issued a postage stamp to commemorate the company's 40th anniversary. Canada Post was accused by some for providing free advertising for the company, though others claim Home Hardware is an iconic Canadian company.

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