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Your Campbell River source for hardware, tools, millwork, lumber & building supplies, plumbing, electrical, Beauti-Tone paint, flooring, kitchen cabinets, housewares and home decor. Professional advice for do-it-yourselfers and contractors. We have under cover lumber storage and also offer site delivery.

History

 
 
 

Carl Sr and Margaret

You don't often find a store that lives up to its name as well as does Pioneer Hardware Ltd. in Campbell River. That's because the hardware store was created in 1937 by local pioneering businessman Carl Thulin Sr. and his wife Margaret.

It really is a family tradition at Pioneer Hardware Ltd. Started by Margaret and Carl Thulin Sr., Carl "Tubby" Thulin Jr. joined the ship in 1952 with his wife Florence, and then along came the third generation, Glen (in 1968), Gary (in 1974) and Dean (in 1984). The three brothers currently own and manage the store.

Carl Thulin Sr. started his original store on the water side of the downtown main street in the building that also housed the old Beehive Café. It was moved to the other side of the street in 1945 when Carl Sr. sold the Beehive and built a new 2,000 square foot building. Then in 1947 they doubled the frontage. That store would serve them well until 1959 when the square footage was doubled by adding to the back and building a warehouse. Another major expansion occurred in
1971 and renovations inside continued afterwards
throughout the years.


Carl Jr., Margaret and Carl Sr.

Carl Thulin Jr. (Tubby) and his wife Florence Thulin, dedicated their time and efforts to fostering the growth of Campbell River as a community, expanding their local hardware supply store to meet the needs of Campbell River residents, local workers and tourists alike, and to raising their four young sons. Notably, Carl Jr. worked with his father to help establish the Campbell River Fire Department, and he worked as a Deputy Fire Chief for numerous years as a part of his own commitment to Campbell River.

Carl Jr. made sure that his parents’ traditions and commitment to the local economy kept momentum over the years to pass, and he was sure to instill in his young sons good business practices and strong work ethics. As it is today, Al, Glen, Gary and Dean still carry the tradition of giving back to the City of Campbell River any chance they get through multiple organizations and charities, and also being active members in community groups such as Rotary, Chamber of Commerce and the Volunteer Fire Department.


Glen, Florence, Gary and Dean

The next move was to a 15,800 square foot building with 14, 300 square feet of retail area. This was built in 1988 next to the previous store to accommodate the needs of the growing community a year after the stores 50th anniversary.

The Pioneer Hardware Ltd. store was standing on the former location of the famous Willows Hotel that was built in 1908 by Glen, Gary and Dean's great grandfather Charles Thulin, along with this brother Frederick Thulin. This was the second Willows Hotel, the first being built in 1904 and opened in 1905.

Pioneer Hardware Ltd. acquired the location on 12th Avenue from West Fraser in 2002 and once again moved forward in their community.
With that move Pioneer Hardware Ltd. was able
to move into building supplies and became a
Home Hardware Building Centre.


Allison, Jessica, Gary, Glen and Dean

In 2007 Home Hardware Stores Ltd. acquired the former Save on Foods location at 1270 Dogwood Street. This allowed Pioneer Hardware Ltd. to once again increase its size and better serve its customers.

The stores association with Home Hardware started in 1981 when the Western Canada based Link Hardware amalgamated with the Eastern based chain.