by Connie Tabbert
Editor
COBDEN — Chris Olmstead needs more hours in a day. But, for now, like anyone else, he’s trying to do a lot in the 24 hours allotted him.
Mr. Olmstead, who is a councillor for Whitewater Region Township, and his family are purchasing a 69-year-old family business in Cobden. As of June 1, they are the owners of Schauer Home Hardware.
“I was exceptionally busy before I became a councillor,” he said.
Mr. Olmstead has owned businesses before, worked for an international business and a Canadian business, so he’s up for the challenge of taking on a large business.
He was wondering what was next on the list for his family and now he knows. Like his family now, Mr. Olmstead grew up in Whitewater Region. His family once owned Olmstead’s store, which is now Highway Variety/Milano’s Pizza.
When he decided to run for a council position, Mr. Olmstead had no irons in the fire to become a business owner. However, when he heard a buyer was being sought for Schauer Home Hardware, it fit he and his family like a glove.
“It suited our needs,” he said. “Home Hardware is a strong, Canadian corporation with head offices in the country and the store owners own Home Hardware.”
While the transaction doesn’t officially take place until June 1, Mr. Olmstead isn’t cooling his heels. For the last three weeks, he has been in the store learning the ins and outs.
“I’ve been coming in and gaining an understanding of the policies and procedures,” he said. “I want to gain a better understanding.
“By the take-over date, I want to hit the ground running.”
There are currently 17 part-time and full-time employees and that will grow over the next few months, he said. While there will be changes in and outside of the store, the personnel won’t change, except there will be more, he explained.
“I expect we’ll be up to 20 by the time we’re fully staffed,” he said. “There will be more support for employees.”
While keeping the staff was part of the purchase agreement, Mr. Olmstead said he was quite comfortable with that decision.
The name of the corporation won’t change, but the name of the business will go from Schauer Home Hardware to Home Hardware Building Centre – Cobden.
“The (new) signs have to be changed by year’s end,” he said. “People have to understand there is new ownership.”
Mr. Olmstead is already planning a change to the business. As of June 1, the store will open at 7 a.m.
However, that’s not the only change. He said there will be many changes, including a new interior and exterior and new merchandising tools, such as interactive information stations in the store and complete set-ups of various rooms in a home, such as a bathroom or kitchen.
Along with himself working in the business, his sons Andrew and Nicholas will be there as well, and his “very organized, very capable” daughter Taylor will be a help as well, even though she’s only 13 years old.
As for Nikki, she will continue with her career, that of a probation/parole officer.
Mr. Olmstead admits has has been looking for a business long before he became a politician. If the two don’t work together, Mr. Olmstead, even though he was only going to serve for one term, said he may have to “entertain” the idea of stepping down before the term is up if the business appears to be suffering.
“I have been thinking of leaving politics,” he said. “I said I would stay in for a four year term and that’s it. None of my decisions are based on getting re-elected.”
As a councillor, he is trying to affect the most positive change he can in the four year term.
He is hopeful people will remain respectful, separating his business life from his poltiical life, just as they have done with his family life and political life.
He’s also hopeful people will continue to support home hardware as they have supported the business under the Schauer name.
