by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — The response to the grand opening of Olmstead’s Home Hardware was overwhelming, said owner Chris Olmstead.
It took six months to plan the three-day event, he said.
“It’s hard to know how many people, but we estimate between 4,000 and 5,000 people came out between Friday to Sunday,” Mr. Olmstead said. “The staff were blown away by the response.”
Mr. Olmstead said he was proud of how his staff represented the business and his family.
At 8 a.m. Friday, the opening officially occurred.
With staff and dignitaries lined up in front of the store, several people crowded around to listen to the speeches and see how a hardware store holds an official opening.
Whitewater Region Mayor Hal Johnson said it was an honour to be asked to the opening of a “long, community-involved store” that remains successful after changing hands.
There are young people in this community, and with young owners, it means more people will come into the municipality as it moves forward.
“On behalf of council and myself, congratulations Chris and all your staff,” Mayor Johnson said.
Reeve Terry Millar brought congratulations on behalf of Renfrew County Warden Jennifer Murphy and the rest of county council.
Grant Allen, Home Hardware Director of Operations, congratulated Mr. Olmstead, his family and team “who have transformed this store into quite a different look than what you’ve been familiar with.
“Thank you all for coming out and supporting them and I hope you continue to support them in the years to come,” Mr. Allen said.
He then presented owners Chris and Nicola Olmstead with a saw mounted on a plaque to commemorate the official opening of Olmstead Home Hardware.
It was Mr. Olmstead’s turn to take to the podium.
“Thank you all for coming out and sharing our grand opening celebrations,” he said.
Two years ago he and his wife purchased the store with a vision to renovate it with respect to the past of the Schauer family, “who did a tremendous job for 60-plus years,” and create a store for the future, he said.
The first year was planning what the vision of the store was going to be, Mr. Olmstead told those gathered. Then, it took a year to renovate it to where it is today.
“Today, we are very close to the vision,” he said. “We’re not quite done yet, but Kevin and I argue all the time,” whether it’s 85 to 95 percent done.
Mr. Olmstead said he couldn’t wait a few more days to celebrate with the customers who have supported the home hardware store for many years, and continue to do so after his family purchased it.
“Kevin, Debbie, John, and the rest of staff worked extremely hard over the past year – days, nights, evenings,” he said. “The store was not closed one hour during this whole renovation process. We’re very, very proud of that.”
Mr. Olmstead thanked his wife, children, staff and public for their patience as the renovations were ongoing.
“We created, what we think, is a place and an environment we are proud of as a staff and owners,” he stated. “We truly feel as if it’s home.”
Mr. Olmstead encouraged the people to enjoy the weekend’s festivities, which included food, refreshments, entertainments “and lots of deals. Help yourself.”
Once he cut through a board announcing the official grand opening, Mr. Olmstead, laughing, held high the saw he used and said, “This is going back on the shelf.”
After the crowd went inside to shop, Mr. Olmstead said the hard part is done and it’s now time to have fun.
“The first full year was working with staff and head office planning and changing the plans, only about 12 times,” he said with a laugh. “We would start something and then re-set it and think maybe it needs to be changed.”
There is a five year plan and the second year has just been completed, Mr.Olmstead said.
“We have a ways to go yet,” he said.
However, instead of waiting for the five years to complete everything, Mr. Olmstead said it was an opportunity at this time in the renovations to celebrate the hard work of staff.
“They’ve put in a lot of hours, early mornings, late nights, weekends, and even coming in on days off,” he said. “We feel it’s been a real accomplishment not having closed the store at any time. From what I understand, that’s unheard of in the industry, going through a large transformation like this and not closing at any time.”
The transformations included refacing the entire outside of the building; redoing the entire inside; installing new departments, including Home Expressions, a gift-fiving department; and making a significant investment in the paint section.
“We can match any colour in the industry, which is very exciting; and we implemented several new departments, including flooring, kitchen……upscaled other departments to the tune that increased inventory almost double from what it used to be.”
Mr. Olmstead said there are currently 20 staff, but the number, depending on the season, can fluctuate from 17 to 23.
