Page 20 - May-June 2021 REPORTER

The team at Creemore Home Hardware - Judah Page, Lynn Edey, Liam, Patrick and Sarah Charlebois, John Sumilas, Nicole Robinson, Sam Falls

the electric vehicle company, Tesla. She of their destiny and purchase their own business; as well, they had a young son,
and her family reside in Mississauga. Sarah business. Having worked in a building Liam. Sadly, Sarah’s mum Bev passed away
started her career working part time as a supply business that also included a couple of months later in October. With
cashier in her Mum’s store in Thornbury. hardware, giftware and housewares, they the help of their family, they progressed
Once she graduated, she worked her way had the background to look for an available through the mourning period after Bev’s
up to eventually take over as service desk home hardware store. They also recognized passing. Her funeral was attended by many
supervisor. that the capital needed to buy a building industry leaders, fellow retail friends and
Patrick started working for Thornbury supply business was unaffordable, but a customers. She is dearly missed.
HHBC in 2009 working in the yard and after medium sized hardware store was doable. Moving into early 2020, the couple
a short period took the position as yard Fortunately, they found that the Home enthusiastically moved this business
foreman. When asked how they met, they Hardware in Creemore, just a few miles forward and sales began to increase, then,
laughed and said the relationship started south of Meaford, was for sale. Patrick was bang! The COVID-19 pandemic hit with
when both went out in the boom truck to excited as this is where he grew up and he full force in March/April. As most of our
deliver a load of drywall. looked forward to returning to his roots to readers can attest, none of us could have
Sarah and Patrick love the retail support and service this community. The predicted how the home improvement and
environment and enjoy helping their retail store opened in 1950 as a Crest Hardware hardware sector would be influenced by
customers. They are natural retailers, store and, in 1974, the owners switched to this unprecedented event. Like all hardware
exhibiting enthusiasm and energy towards the Home Hardware banner. and lumber businesses, adapting to the
running an efficient and profitable business. 2019 was a pivotal year for this couple. government mandated protocols such as
Patrick was also active with the Meaford Sarah and Patrick had just purchased the curbside pick up and phone orders created
volunteer fire department. store in Creemore in August of 2019 and a lot of confusion and stress; then sales
After a period of time, both Sarah and were in the throes of going through the grew substantially and the balance of 2020
Patrick made the decision to take control process and stress of taking over this recorded greatly increased sales and profits

20 LBMAO Reporter - May-June 2021 www.lbmao.on.ca