NOTHING #S without change —
people, places and even local institu
tions,

For over twenty years Beaver
Lumber has been part of the North
Shore Community, but fike every-
thing else has ‘undergone sone
changes of its own.

From its beginnings at the former
Valley Lumber site at the corner of
Fell and Marine, it moved to consol-
idate its operations at 915 West First
St. when Beaver purchased the
operation of Crown Zeflerbach
Hometown stores in the fall of 1986.

In 1987, as part of a joint venture
franchise program, present owner
operator, Bruce Allen purchased a
50.1% controlling interest in the
business. Now, eight years later he
owns 100%, not only making the
store 100% locally owned and oper-
ated but facilitating the changeover
to Home Hardware.

- The change to Home means that

B.H. Allen Building Centre Ltd. (the
operating Co.) becomes part of a
team of over 900 dealers nation-
wide. This means an expansion of
buying power and the ability to
expand merchandise selection and
that is what Allen plans to do. The
change to Home means an expan-
sion of 20-30% in assortment
including an extensive catalogue
special order program.

Change is a part of life and as in
this case, it is a positive change. In
fact the transfer ts so amicable that
guarantees of product and services
of Beaver Lumber will be honored
at the First and Hanes St. store.
Beaver has redirected its marketing
to rural markets and Home is always

HH betters p

HOME HARDWARE Stores Ltd.
takes its role as Canada’s Paint
Experts scriously. A comprehen-
sive training program has been
implemented so that: customer
service stalf can provide the right
advice to Home Hardware paint
customers,

The taining consists of a two-
day session followed by a corre-
spondence course developed by
Home Hardware’s Paint and
Chemical Division, The course
allows the employee to develop
product: knowledge and under-

looking to expand.

Policies and hours are going to
remain unchanged and the ever-pop-
ular Seniors discount days (Tuesday
and Wednesday) have been rein-
forced with a new Seniors Club
Card introduction. Of course, the
service you have come to expect will
always be maintained, says Allen,

“This is an opportunity for a
locally owned, [00% Canadian busi-
ness to expand to serve customers
better and become part of a inuch
larger team with a larger buying
base.

“While have enjoyed our
association with Beaver Lumber
over the years, it now provides us
with a strong base from which to
move forward into the Home
Hardware system.” says Allen.

Our location is ideally suited to
serve the entire North Shore. Allen

it choosing

stand color theory,

“This is the only taining pro-
gram of its kind it our industry.
When we say we are Canadit’s
Paint Experts, we can back it up
with) knowledge.” said Paint
Division GM, Jamie Kent.

A nuntber of How To" videos
have been produced as a (raining
tool for employees and altimately
will be sold to consumers.
Additional training videos are
being developed on color tinting
and seHing the complete decorat-
ing package.

wants people to know that the for-
mer Beaver Lumber customers will
continue to find all the products and
now more that they have come to
expect and find at this location
including all lumber and building
related materials,

Allen also wants people to know
“We're here to stay und with Home's
bigger buying power and more effi-
cient distribution system that prices
have been dropping and our cus-
tomers are the winners in this buy-
out”

It is also important to know, that
although the name and the signs
have changed the faces you recog-
nize in the aisles and behind the
counters will be the same and it is
the people that make a business
what. it is. Great price. friendly
advice, is their motto and they
intend to live by it.

2 ae
bigger fruits & vegetables a2 4
anethem up for better results.

. NEWS photo Mike Wakefield

TOOLS OF the trade sit idle waiting to hammer, saw or mea-
sure. A tool belt may seem a little overboard for the casual
home and garden renovator but the people who do it on a reg-
ular basis wear. one for a reason — it makes the job easier.

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