Achi news desk-
Wilson Home Hardware Building Center in Barrington Passage, NS, is celebrating 100 years of service.
Starting as one small general store in 1924 to today’s group of five house brand businesses, the Wilson family has served the community for four generations.
“Our roots are a general store. Then it morphed into a grocery store and then we took on the home hardware banner in 67 and I’ve kind of continued to grow from there, said shop assistant Mike Wilson.
“We are still looking for opportunities to bring different goods and services to the community that we think can add value.”
Photograph of Fred I. Wilson’s original store. (Courtesy: WIlson Home Hardware Building Center)
To mark the centennial, the Wilson team is hosting special auctions, Nova Scotia’s first drone light show and other family-friendly activities.
“When you watch your grandfather and father run a business and contribute to building a community, you learn that there is something very special about small-town family hospitality that is delivered in a very professional way,” said Wilson.
“I think you learn that real leadership is what people are looking for and how they want to be treated comes from a place of real caring and you can’t fake that. I think that’s one of the things you know that sets our business apart is that we show up every day to really care about a customer and really care about our community and the people that work with us .”
In 2023, Wilson and his store were also awarded the Best Home Hardware Building Center for the Atlantic Region, according to a news release from Home Hardware Stores Limited.
“A lot of people share the history of this business and the customers are a big part of the history as well,” said Wilson.
“In a small town in Nova Scotia you get to know people by name and you work your tail off not to let them down and I think that’s the difference you get when you come into our stores rather than maybe some of the bigger boxes or some. from the more corporate stores.”
