New details on Neepawa Tru Hardware's changeover to Home Hardware

Details

Published on Monday, July 6, 2015

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson

The Neepawa Banner

What’s in a name? For Michelle and Darryl Gerrard, who currently own and operate Neepawa Tru Hardware, a lot.  This week, they became Home Hardware dealer-owners and have begun the process of converting their store from a Tru Hardware/Castle Building Centre to a Home Hardware Building Centre. 

Neepawa’s previous Home Hardware store was destroyed by a fire in February of this year.

For the Gerrards, the move gives them access to a wider range of products, better brand recognition and better ways to help their customers. With more national advertising and sponsorship, Michelle explains, “Home Hardware is a much more recognized brand.” One of the bigger changes will be the availability of online shopping, something that their previous buying group, TruServ, doesn’t offer. “I’m very excited about the possibilities,” said Michelle.

Inside the store, the changes have already begun. Over the weekend, staff began the long process of retagging merchandise with Home Hardware price tags.

For the Gerrards the change allows them to work under one cohesive banner, instead of two.  Previously, they sold hardware under the Tru Hardware banner, while building supplies were sold under the Castle name. “I’m so excited, it brings both sides [the hardware and building supplies] together under one cohesive name… It’s one marketing plan, one website, one name,” said Michelle.  She added that anyone passing the store knows exactly who they are and what they sell. 

The return of Home Hardware to Neepawa means the return of the chain’s popular brands, including Beauti-Tone paints, KitchenAid, Dyson as well as their in-house brands.  While new products will be added, the change won’t result in the loss of any products, beyond a brand change. “If something changes, it will be swapped for something better,” said Michelle.

The change also won’t mean the loss of popular existing lines carried by the store.  They will be keeping their Rogers mobile kiosk, their outdoor and work clothing as well as Benjamin Moore paints.  “Benjamin Moore has a good following in town,” she explained.

In addition to the downtown Neepawa location, the Gerrards also own a 1,500 square foot warehouse and 2.3 acre yard on Highway 5 north.  Michelle explains that this will continue to be used for storage, “We’re so limited, [downtown] we can’t store all we need.” They plan to move towards setting it up as a satellite yard, but have no plans to close the downtown location in the foreseeable future. 

“We get good foot traffic and we can’t give it up to move out there. We will stay here until [the business] gets too big,” she said.

While fully staffed, the Gerrards are expecting to see business pick up in a few areas and Michelle said that she has been in contact with some of the previous Home Hardware staff. She said that they are working, as much as possible, to be able to accommodate them.

Michelle is hoping that they can meet the needs of previous Home Hardware customers.  However, because of the fire, it won’t be an entirely seamless transition for customers. Michelle said that unfortunately, many of the previous store’s records, for example the paint records, were destroyed. She said that they will work to meet any warrantee claims for products sold by either Home Hardware or Tru Hardware.

As for commercial customers, Michelle explained that since the fire, they have already been working with many local contractors who previously worked with Home Hardware. She added that those who haven’t already been working with them can still take advantage of contractor discounts and loyalty programs offered by Home Hardware.

Now that the news is official, Michelle said that they can begin to make visible changes, such as the purchase and installation of new signage. The Gerrards plan to hold a grand opening to celebrate the change, tentatively scheduled for this fall.