Changes are happening to Keremeos Building Supplies as owner Jake MacDonald paints the business red - Home Hardware red, that is.
The shift has already started, as several village residents can attest. Red shirts and Home Hardware trucks have been seen coming and going at the location for several weeks now.
“It means I will now have access to anything Home Hardware sells -anything on line or in the Home Hardware system, we can get,” MacDonald summed up.
Store inventory will slowly be changing over the next few weeks as MacDonald begins to carry the Home Hardware “Benchmark” brand of tools and hardware. MacDonald said that while he may not stock every item available from the national chain, he’ll be able to special order everything, including advertised specials.
“They carry a lot of stuff - a lot of neat stuff, and if we can get it we’re going to carry it,” MacDonald promised, noting that customers who put an order in Saturday afternoon have a good chance of receiving their product by Wednesday, when the weekly truck delivers.
Visible changes to the operation will take place over the next few months. MacDonald feels by July the store will have completed its transformation.
“Our trucks are turning yellow, and the store will be repainted red,” MacDonald said, adding the yard would probably not see any changes.
The move comes as MacDonald seeks to increase hardware sales, noting Home Hardware is a Canadian industry leader when it comes to marketing and advertising.
“They are one of the top three most recognizeable brands in Canada,” he said, “their distribution system is one of the best there is.”
MacDonald has always maintained a policy of pricing that can compete with B.C.s most competitive market, the Lower Mainland.
“With us taking on the Home Hardware brand and having access to all that they offer, I feel we will be well positioned to offer people in Keremos and the Lower Similkameen choice and value competitive with anyone in the province,” MacDonald said.
“Those who already know about the change have been really positive about it,” he added, “because of the uniqueness and variety of items like housewares that Home Hardware carries, many people have already expressed they are looking forward to the change.”