by Doug Schauer
When Alex Schauer was stationed at Camp Borden During World War II, he noticed that the other men were constantly breaking their leather watchstraps and were in need of new ones. After purchasing some leather remnants, eyelets and buckles, he started making replacement straps in his spare time, which he sold for $2.
Payday was always the best time to bring them out, and some days he sold quite a number.
In March 1946, Alex was discharged from the army with $1,000 in his pockets from this enterprise and returned home to Cobden. With this money, he purchased the old H. Millar & Sons storage buildings on Jason Street for $750.
The following month he opened a planing mill/sash and door factory, as well as selling lumber and building materials.
At the start, a number of things were hard to get. Much of the glass in those days came from Belgium, and many of the factories had been bombed during the war. While he would make the windows, the customer had to get the glass wherever they could.
Plywood, which was used in the manufacture of Mosquito bombers, was scarce, as was steel, and Alex often had to grind replacement knives for his machinery from scrap.
Price controls were still in effect in the early years, and a list was provided from the government for prices charged on windows, doors and custom planing.
Alex also manufactured stairs, kitchen cabinets, moldings, boats, paddles, oars, camp tables and just about anything customers would ask for.
At the start, all machinery, including the bandsaw, were powered by one motor, by a series of line shafts where each machine would be engaged by a leaver which moved flat drive belts from one pulley to another. Eventually each machine had its own motor.
Over time more building materials were added to the inventory.
A number of men were employed over the years, including his six sons — Elwin, Don Merrill, Keith, Jim and Doug.
At first, all lumber, plywood and drywall was handled by hand. In the mid 1960s, a forklift was purchased, and the planing mill and sheds were renovated to accommodate it.
In 1973, family members became involved in the business. At this time, Jim, Merrill and Doug took part in the day-to-day operations, while Don and Keith were involved as shareholders.
The big planer, resaw and molding sticker were sold. Lumber sheds were extended and renovations were made to the old mill building to convert it into a showroom for building materials.
At this time, they were approached by Home Hardware Stores of St. Jacobs, and hardware was added to the list.
In April of 1974, the new store was opened on Jason Street, with a full line of hardware, lumber and building supplies.
One notable modern addition to the new store was a manual NCR cash register, as previously all transactions were made from wallet to wallet with everything documented in a ledger.
For the first time women were employed, in the persons of Edith (Alex’s wife) and Joan (Merrill’s wife).
The business grew. Side sheds were renovated to add retail space and the former feed mill property beside the railroad tracks on John Street were purchased for storage.
In 1987, over three acres of land was purchased at the west end of Cobden on Main Street, and after cutting the bush, doing some levelling, a new store and outbuildings were built. This new location was opened in April of 1989.
In the mid-90s, Alex and Edith retired from the business.
In 1995, a computer system was installed, bringing the store into modern times. In 2009, Joan retired followed by Merrill (who died in 2011). Joan remains a valuable member of the Board of Directors.
Today, Schauer Home Hardware and Building materials has expanded into other enterprises, including propane sales and tank rentals, tool and equipment rentals, purified water and many more services.
It continues to be an active member in the community.
