Sarnia Home Hardware
When Bill Lamarche was the sporting goods and seasonal manager at a large retailer in London, he began dreaming about opening his own business. In 1989, he and his wife Alice purchased Sarnia Home Hardware. In 2001, they moved to their current location, 120 Russell Street, and since then the business hasn’t stopped growing. After over 30 years of service, Bill and Alice have stepped back and their daughter, Laura Lamarche, has taken over as store manager.
Sarnia Home Hardware sells a full selection of home improvement supplies from plumbing to hand tools. They also sell housewares, giftware, seasonal items, and lawn and garden supplies. “On any given day, staff are mixing paint, helping in electrical, and merchandising a new housewares display. It’s never boring here. We are always learning both from each other and our customers,” shares Laura.
The Beauti-Tone paint centre is a particularly busy spot in the store. Paint Manager Carolyn Robinson has been helping people find the perfect paint and supplies for six years. “During the height of the pandemic we would be mixing 50-60 cans of paint a day. Today, people want assistance and knowledge. No one wants to do the wrong thing or do it twice. And after a conversation with Carolyn our customers don’t have to,” Laura explains. Home Hardware makes its own paint, Beauti-Tone, right here in Canada.
James Hamilton, the hardware manager has also made a name for himself. “James is a destination for people. You can’t find someone who’s better at giving service than him,” Laura says. James is another long-term employee of Home Hardware, and has been at Russell Street for almost 12 years. “So many of our employees have been with us for years. I think that’s a testament not only to the store but to our customers.” The great team at Home Hardware creates a good atmosphere for customers and employees. “When you give people a little bit of creative freedom you’ll be amazed at what they can do.”
Located in Sarnia’s south end, staff at Home Hardware are beginning to see an emerging demographic of young homeowners in the area looking to fix up their new-to-them homes. “People are buying homes in the south end of Sarnia again, and they want to do the work in their homes properly. Our staff are a reliable source of information for them because service remains the cornerstone of what we do here,” Laura says.
While paint and hardware are two staples people often think of when it comes to Home Hardware, at this location customers can find a whole lot more. “There is a lot of merchandise in this store. Don’t let the size fool you, you can come to get duct tape and leave with a scarf,” Laura shares with a laugh. Home Hardware stores are independently owned, making each store unique. “Our store has become a houseware and giftware destination. There are so many places in town to get building materials and tools, we’ve taken our store in a different direction.” With everything from decor to clothing, or kitchen and tool gadgets, there is bound to be something for even the hardest person to shop for on your holiday list. “People come to our store for unique gifts or things people need. Whether it’s gifty or completely practical, there is something for everybody.”
When it comes to the future of Home Hardware, Laura and her team will continue to prioritize top-rate service. “We love what we do, and if we can continue to maintain this kind of relationship with our community, and each other, that sounds like a great future to me,” Laura says. As the store continues to grow its merchandise sector, there are a few areas Laura dreams of improving. “I would love to see more local brands and Canadian brands on our shelves. We love to support local every way we can, and this is the natural next step.”
Home Hardware's guiding ethic is that community and the common good is simply good business and this can be seen in all aspects of Sarnia Home Hardware. “We are a neighbourhood hardware store. We know our customers, and they know us. They have come to trust us for our knowledge and great customer service,” shares Laura. “Many of our customers stop in just to chat. Every day I come to work and I’m with friends.”
Related Stories
Point Edward Early Learning Centre
The Point Edward Early Learning Centre celebrates their 50th Anniversary in 2019, an integral part of the Village of Point Edward since 1969. Our story began with a group of mothers who were directed through a public health initiative called "Play to Learn." These young mothers organized a play gro
Stonepicker Brewing Company Inc.
From bacon to beer. That pretty much sums up the career path Joe Donkers has taken. A pig farmer for nearly three decades, Joe did a 180 about five years ago when he made the decision to start brewing his own beer at home. That ultimately led to him and his wife Mary starting Stonepicker Brewing Co.
Kulpreet Singh is thrilled with the success of his new restaurant, Tandoori Joe, but when it comes to taking credit for its success, he defers to his wife, Satmeet Kapoor. "Basically the idea behind the restaurant came from my wife," Kulpreet says. "Satmeet loves cooking and we always thought
The Nut Bar
You can't walk by The Nut Bar without noticing the incredible smell. Miranda Sheppard started the business out of her home in October of 2016 and hasn't stopped expanding since. Trips to Tennessee were Sheppard's original inspiration. There was always a guy there roasting in copper kettles.
Related Stories
Preferred Towing
Tammy Vandenheuvel admits that even now, some 25 years after she and her husband Gary first opened the doors to Preferred Towing, the ringing of a phone at the company's Indian Road South headquarters comes with a sense of uncertainty. "We never really know what's on the other end of the phone, but
Big Fish Steak & Lounge
The Tsaprailis family has been in the restaurant business for over thirty years. Their first restaurant, The Valley House on Vidal Street, was a busy spot serving eggs, sandwiches and burgers. In 1992, they bought the Old Country Steak House on London Line and renamed it The Brigantine. Five years a
J.D. Lawn Service
Joe Dawson has been cutting grass since as early as he can remember. What started out as a part-time job throughout school ultimately led to a life's passion. "In 1990 there was an opportunity to purchase a small company that was...
S&R Seniors Living
The idea of constructing a small apartment building came to Don Steeves and John Rozema over the course of lunch-time conversations; the pair worked together in Chemical Valley. Both were interested in the idea of building in Sarnia-Lambton. In 1963, they built, rented, and then sold Northgate Apart
Own a local business in Sarnia-Lambton?
Your neighbours already want to spend money here. We just make it easy.
Become a #local Partner and we pay you 100% of every gift card members spend with you. It costs you nothing to join.
Free. Takes about three minutes.
