Making Connections, Finding Opportunities at Home Hardware Homecoming 2024 

Along with marking 60 years in business, Home Hardware dealer-owners had a lot to celebrate during the Home Hardware Homecoming 2024, which took place from Sept. 12-14 in Toronto, Canada. Homecoming provided a chance for networking, product discovery and plenty of deals. 

Joel Pletch, dealer-owner of Walkerton Home Hardware in Walkerton, Ontario, appreciates that Homecoming brings together all Home Hardware members under one roof and loves the opportunities for mentorship, networking and fellowship the event brings.

Pletch also enjoys the buying deals and product discovery.

“Homecoming is a great chance to see what’s new and innovative,” Pletch says. “At this show they even had a whole new category—As Seen on TV. I wouldn’t necessarily stock every single one of these new and cool things in my store, but it’s great to see what’s coming down the pipeline.”

While it was only Jennifer Bruening’s third Homecoming, the manager of Fortin’s Home Hardware in Chilliwack, British Columbia, says she has taken advantage of the show specials each time and values the chance to see products in person. 

“This year’s show has been the most successful so far; we ended up ordering six products just strictly from the show,” Bruening says. “Even more important for us at Homecoming is working with other Home Hardware members and being able to get their ideas and input.”

Manager Todd Taylor from Middleton Home Furniture in Middleton, Nova Scotia, jumped on one of the show specials, a buy one, get one free deal on freezers and was first in line for the deal on Day 1. 

“When you’re buying the better deals, it means better margins, quicker sales and quicker turnaround,” Taylor says. “Plus you can’t beat the family-friendly atmosphere and the chance to meet other dealers. You can make those connections, no matter what type of store you have—hardware, furniture, appliances.”

Outstanding Retailers Recognized

Another key part of Home Hardware Homecoming is honoring exceptional retailers with the Proud of My Home Achievement Awards. Top honors went to Shepherd’s Home Hardware Building Centre in Armstrong, British Columbia, who took home the annual Walter J. Hachborn Store of the Year Award. 

“We are honored to be recognized with these awards as our store prepares to celebrate a century in the Armstrong community next year,” says Kyle Melvin, dealer-owner of Shepherd’s Home Hardware Building Centre. “Brett and I are the second generation of Melvins to own and operate Shepherd’s Home Hardware Building Centre and are proud of our place in the store’s history. We share this recognition with our parents, Sandy and Dale Melvin, who helped lay the groundwork for the business to become what it is today.”

The Walter J. Hachborn Store of the Year Award acknowledges the top Home Hardware store from more than 1,000 stores across Canada for achieving the highest standards in retailing, merchandising, staff performance and overall quality and service.

“The Melvin brothers and their team at Shepherd’s Home Hardware Building Centre truly embody what the Walter J. Hachborn Store of the Year Award stands for,” says Kevin Macnab, president and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. “At Shepherd’s Home Hardware Building Centre, all customers are treated like part of the family. Kyle, Brett and the team get to know each of their customers so they can provide incomparable customer service. The Home brand is honored to have distinguished ambassadors like Kyle and Brett.”

The gala award night was a celebration of the country from coast to coast with each food station featuring a different region of Canada. Along with their red, Home Hardware members proudly wore 60th anniversary pins throughout the show to celebrate the company.

 

Other retailers honored included:

• Paul Straus Public Relations Award: Les Entreprises Nova Inc., Rawdon, Quebec
• Best Home Furniture: Kelly’s Home Furniture, Huntsville, Ontario

Best Young Retailer:

• Greg Miller from Home Building Centre Burk’s Falls, Burk’s Falls, Ontario
• Ryan Leger from Richibucto Home Hardware Building Centre, Richibucto, New Brunswick
• Dustin Chalus from Richardson’s Home Hardware, Nipawin, Saskatchewan 
• Olivier Lavoie from Lavoie Home Hardware Building Centre, Campbellton, New Brunswick

Best Home Hardware:

• Bancroft Home Hardware, Bancroft, Ontario
• Tracadie Home Hardware, Tracadie-Sheila, New Brunswick
• Dauphin Home Hardware, Dauphin, Manitoba
• Quincaillerie Beauceville Inc., Beauceville, Quebec

Best Home Building Centre:

• Home Building Centre Gravenhurst, Gravenhurst, Ontario
• Capital Home Building Centre, Paradise, Newfoundland
• Countryside Home Building Centre Fisher Branch, Fisher Branch, Manitoba
• Herlehy Home Building Centre, Westport, Ontario

Best Home Hardware Building Centre:

• Memorial Home Hardware Building Centre, Thunder Bay, Ontario
• Pike’s Home Hardware Building Centre, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland
• Shepherd’s Home Hardware Building Centre, Armstrong, British Columbia
• Grant Home Hardware Building Centre, New Liskeard, Ontario