Chris Allinotte , Supply-Build Canada
Visit any town in Canada and chances are , regardless of population size , you ’ ll find a hardware , lumber , or building supply store . Along with places to buy food , the main thing any community needs is access to the materials necessary to build , grow , expand , maintain and upgrade existing structures . Canadian building supply retailers are pillars of their communities and are critical to their local economies and quality of life .
As we navigate a coming period of economic turbulence , the very best thing we as Canadians can do is support the local retailers that support our communities . Choosing local doesn ’ t mean giving up on selection either . Many small-town retailers are Canadian franchises like TIMBER MART , Castle , and Home Hardware ( although many operate under family names ). Home Hardware , for example , is Canada ’ s largest network of independently owned building supply stores . Franchise affiliation allows for a local retailer to have the purchasing power , selection , and supply chain of a large corporation , while retaining the individual business owner ’ s ability to run their own operation . This is a key difference between those locations and a corporately owned multi-national brand or global online super store . By choosing to support your local retailer , you are supporting your own community .
Star Building Products in Calgary organizes “ Ride Through the Rockies ” each year , cumulatively raising over $ 1m since they began the ride .