DUNNVILLE, ONTARIO – October 20, 2021 — Local hardware store owners, Ken Zantingh, Henry Deklerk, Bert Mulder, Wes Zantingh and Nate Mulder of GrandErie Home Hardware Building Centre are proud to be recognized with a 2021 Outstanding Retailer Award. The award was handed out at the 25th Annual Hardlines Conference and Gala taking place October 19 to 20 at Queen’s Landing Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario and virtually online. GrandErie Home Hardware Building Centre received the award for Best Building Supply/Home Centre in Canada (over 15,000 sq. ft.).

 

“We are extremely honoured to receive this industry award, and proud to serve our local communities with essential products and support,” said Ken Zantingh, Dealer-Owner, GrandErie Home Hardware Building Centre. “From handpicking hundreds of curbside orders each day to finding creative ways to say thanks to our dedicated employees, our business has seen an incredible amount of change during the pandemic. It means so much to receive this industry recognition after what has been a challenging year for everyone.” 

 

Handed out by Hardlines Inc., the Outstanding Retailer Awards honour Canada’s best home improvement retailing stores. All award recipients are selected by a panel of industry experts who judged nominations from retailers across Canada on a range of criteria, including sales performance, retailing innovation and community involvement.

 

“The original Dunnville Home store was a founding member of Home Hardware in 1964 and has continued to evolve ever since,” said Michael McLarney, President of Hardlines Inc. “Over time, the store has added services and departments, including building materials and a large garden centre, which were important steps that reflect the changing needs of GrandErie’s customers. Now it can boast a big city assortment backed by small town service.”

 

Award categories include: Best Hardware Store; Best Building Supply/Home Centre (under 15,000 sq. ft.); Best Building Supply/Home Centre (over 15,000 sq. ft.); Best Contractor-Specialist Store; Best Young Retailer; Best Large Surface Retailer (over 65,000 sq. ft.); Marc Robichaud Community Leader; and the Independent Spirit award.

 

GrandErie Home Hardware Building Centre was one of three Home stores to be honoured at the 2021 conference. Gravenhurst Home Hardware (Gravenhurst, ON) was recognized as Best Hardware Store while Annapolis Home Hardware Building Centre (Annapolis Royal, NS) was awarded the Independent Spirit award.

 

“The Outstanding Retailer Awards honour the industry’s best home improvement retail stores across Canada,” said Kevin Macnab, President and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. “GrandErie Home Hardware Building Centre was awarded the Best Building Supply/Home Centre (over 15,000 sq. ft.). award as a testament to their commitment and dedication to putting their customers first.”

 

Over the past 29 years, close to 40 Home Hardware stores have received an Outstanding Retailer Award.

 

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About the Outstanding Retailer Awards

Launched in 1992, the Outstanding Retailer Awards (ORAs) are Canada’s only national awards program dedicated to celebrating the achievements of hardware, home improvement and building supply dealers and their staff. In its 29-year history, the program has honoured more than 160 retailers.

 

About Hardlines

Celebrating its 26th year, Hardlines Inc. is a leading authority on the retail home improvement industry. Hardlines’ products and services include its weekly Hardlines electronic newsletter; its print magazine, Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly; a comprehensive and informative website; Hardlines Dealer News, a newsletter for retail dealers and managers; a free Daily News Service; and the annual Hardlines Conference. For more information, please contact Michael McLarney, President of Hardlines Inc., at 416-489-3396 or mike@hardlines.ca.

 

About Home Hardware Stores Limited

Home Hardware Stores Limited is Canada's largest Dealer-owned hardware, lumber, building materials, and furniture home improvement retailer with close to 1,100 stores under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners. Founded in 1964 in rural St. Jacobs, Ontario, Home Hardware remains 100% Canadian owned and operated. Through the Home Hardware network, Dealer-Owners have extensive distribution and marketing capabilities as well as access to thousands of quality, brand name and private label products. Home Hardware Stores Limited has received designation as one of Canada's Best Brands and Best Managed Companies and is committed to helping Canadians with all of their project needs. More information about the company is available at homehardware.ca.

 

For more information, please contact: media@homehardware.ca