YOUR STORE IS KNOWN TO BE VERY COMMUNITY-MINDED. WHY IS THAT SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?

Osoyoos Home Hardware has been a hardware store on the same corner in downtown Osoyoos since 1942. We take pride in the fact that we have become a "cornerstone" for our customers. From the Pre-School tours where children learn to mix paint or cut a key or the Senior who just drops in to check up on us, we feel that our connection to the community is much stronger than a business transaction.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE YOURS? HOW CAN PEOPLE HELP?

I must admit this has probably been the hardest year of my retail life. Right now the biggest problem is having to tell customers that something as basic as a hose fitting is on backorder. With all the increasing costs and labour issues facing the retail landscape, I feel that the biggest challenge right now is having the right product at the right time.

WITH A STORE THAT STOCKS OVER 100,000 PRODUCTS, HOW DO YOU BEST MAKE USE OF THE AVAILABLE SPACE?

We absolutely use every inch of space available to us. We attended a hardlines conference and saw stores in Europe not afraid to hang toilet seats from the ceiling. With the use of the grid panels we get from Eddies we are able to do the same thing. We literally sell by the cubic foot.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT REGULARLY REFRESHING PRODUCT DISPLAYS IS WORTHWHILE?

Absolutely! We are always changing with the seasons and feel that one of the best compliments we ever received was when a customer said " Who needs the weather network....just head to Osoyoos Home Hardware and you will know what season is upon us" Our amazing staff have learned how to fit a square peg in to a round hole and have made our store a destination shop. With five sets of stairs keeping each level intriguing is important.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT EDDIE'S HANG-UP DISPLAYS? DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE PRODUCTS?

It's no secret that I have used grids in any way possible. I love the adaptability that this offers us no matter the department. It has given us more selling space than we could have every imagined.

WHEN IT COMES TO HOME HAREWARE OSOYOOS, WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

The fact that our customers bring their guests to our store to "BRAG" about THEIR hardware store in downtown Osoyoos is one of the things that brings the most pride. We employ 25 amazing people and are grateful to our customers for allowing us to support not only local events and charities but also allowing us to keep so many people employed on a full-time basis.

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