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Oldest business in Westlock doubles in size

Grand-opening for remodelled Home Hardware held May 4-6

WESTLOCK — Since he bought Westlock Home Hardware close to 12 years ago, dealer-owner Blair Kneller has struggled with space, specifically a lack thereof.

Due to its Main Street location, expanding out the front or back was simply out of the question, while the basement was already full of product. But true to his can-do attitude, Kneller came up with an ingenious solution with some help from a willing next-door neighbour.

From May 4-6, the remodelled and expanded Home Hardware celebrated its official grand opening, an event that showcased the store’s new 15,000-square-foot footprint, which more than doubles its past square footage.

“I knew we needed to do something with the store,” said Kneller, who began talking with Arth’s Fashion Centre owner Todd Arth about purchasing half of his store last year.

“I went and talked to Todd next door at Arth’s and asked what they were doing with the space, and we ended up buying half of the Arth’s clothing store which increased our square footage by about 7,500.”

For Arth’s Fashion Centre manager Colton Arth, who’s Todd’s son, the changes also benefit the clothing store and its customers. “It’s a great thing because it allows us to be more efficient and in turn we can provide a better customer experience,” said Colton, “It’s a perfect match and it’s good that two long-term businesses (can) work together to maintain our great downtown. We definitely have more exciting changes coming that we’re working on.”

Arth’s meanwhile celebrated 70 years in business in 2022 and continue to carry items from clothing to shoes and fabric. “We downsized our fabric department a little bit and we moved it to the wall so we can display a little better and have easier access to it,” said Colton, pointing out his staff’s great work over the years. “We don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. We’re doing all this so we can keep going and provide that customer experience.”    

Kneller said the customer feedback “has been amazing” as they’ve been able to expand selection across a variety of departments and even added an M&M Meats.

“We’re not 100 per cent done yet. There’s tweaking to do with merchandising and with some of the product selection to improve some of it yet too,” he said, while praising staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the expansion.

The store, which has not always been under the ‘Home Hardware’ brand, is Westlock’s oldest continuous business and opened in 1913.

Kneller and his wife Nyssa purchased the store in 2012 from Joe Renaud, a third-generation owner whose family, including his dad Raymond and grandfather Joachim Peter (J.P.) who originally purchased the store in 1927 and ran it for decades. The current Home Hardware building was built in 1945.

Meanwhile, Kneller’s 30-year career in the hardware biz started in Rimbey when he was just 16 years old — 29 of those years have been with Home Hardware.

“I’m very proud of the history of this business, it’s been around since 1913 and it’s gone through various owners,” said Kneller. “Having the added product selection will allow people to shop more local and stay closer to home to get what they need.”

Kristine Jean, TownandCountryToday.com


Kristine Jean

About the Author: Kristine Jean

Kristine Jean joined the Westlock News as a reporter in February 2022. She has worked as a multimedia journalist for several publications in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and enjoys covering community news, breaking news, sports and arts.
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