Page 19 - May-Jun 25 Reporter-FINAL web

aron and Ada Kelly have expanded their to a total of 15,000 square feet of space. Proud Of My Home Award to the Kellys in
Afamily business over the past three 12,500 was retail and 2,500 receiving and 2024 for best Home Hardware in the Central
decades from a humble start, purchasing office space. Region. A staff of over fifty well trained and
the Dorchester Home Hardware in 1993. Not content to sit on their laurels, the equipped people, work closely with the
This young married couple put their noses Kellys acquired the Aylmer Home Building family to ensure that every customer is well
to the grindstone and worked to extend Centre from the Secord family in 2022. This looked after. Many of the staff have been with
their business to two stores, the original location was a former Beaver Lumber store the Kellys for years, growing in knowledge,
location in Dorchester and their newest and while it was functional, the facility was expertise, and responsibility as the store
and larger location in Aylmer. The Kellys older and had limited space. Aaron had said changed and grew.
have been diligent in watching for the right that he would not have lumber and building Both Ada and Aaron indicate that their
opportunities to increase their business, materials but the opportunity to add these roles have changed over the years. As the
including areas like lumber and building lines fit perfectly with their growth strategy. store has grown, they have changed from
supplies. Ada also credits adding some experienced servicing all the store to having dedicated
The Kellys’ success story began when they building materials staff members for their managers for each of the key departments.
scraped together the money to purchase willingness to expand into the lumber and Allowing the department managers the
the Home Hardware location in Dorchester, building materials market. They operated autonomy to oversee the staff in that
a bedroom community of London in 1993. both the new Hardware store and the older department has been a challenge. The
At the time they had two young children. Home Building Centre location for two years Kellys’ role is now more of overseeing the
The plan was that Aaron would look after until their next expansion was completed. department managers. Ada’s work as a board
customer service and ordering, while Ada The most recent expansion to Aylmer Home member for Home Hardware for 20 years has
stayed at home with the children and looking Hardware Building Centre opened a year ago, also kept her busy.
after the bookkeeping and finances at night. adding over 16,000 sq feet of space. This new What does the future hold for the Kellys?
This setup has served them well – Aaron feels space includes 6,000 sq ft of retail building They are hoping that their one son who
he is best when he is looking after customers materials space, a dedicated Pro contractor does not currently work in the business may
on the floor while Ada has guided their entrance, and a 10,000 square foot drive- take a role in determining the future of the
finances to where they are today. They feel through lumber yard equipped with the Dorchester location. They do know that their
their success in working together stems from latest AutoStak storage systems. They also faith and hard work will guide them, opening
each knowing their own roles and strengths added a large drive shed which comfortably doors for their next steps.
and sticking to them. The Dorchester store is stores drywall, insulation, and
in a 100 plus year-old building and has 4000 finished lumber.
square feet of retail area. They have built their The Aylmer area has grown
success by making sure that their customers into a regional centre with
are well served. Currently they are looking manufacturing and agriculture
after the second and third generations of the driving business. Aylmer has a
original customers of the Dorchester store. population of approximately
The largest change to their business came 7500 people. It also serves
in 2009 when they bought an existing Home smaller towns like Vienna,
Hardware in Aylmer. At that time, they were Port Bruce, and Belmont. It is
actively searching for property to build a new situated between St. Thomas,
store in Dorchester. When the Aylmer Home and Tillsonburg with London
store became available, plans and priorities to the northeast. Shopper here
changed. Adding the Aylmer location was a love the small-town service
stressful time for the Kellys. They had just lost with the selection of a larger
their father who was an important sounding centre.
board for what their plans would include. Ada Currently the Kellys have
credits some fatherly advice from Paul Straus, two of their three children
who was the president of Home Hardware, and their son-in-law working
assuring them this was the right move. With with them. They are always
some careful planning they bought the store looking to see when the next
from Don and Connie Krupp and once again opportunity might present
put their noses to the grindstone to make itself. They have purchased
Aylmer Home Hardware better. an additional two acres of
Plans were created for a new hardware property behind their location,
store to be built on a five-acre property allowing them to grow as the
they acquired from the town. In 2014 those need permits.
plans were realized and the new location on This is an award-winning
Progress Drive at the north end of Aylmer store. Home Hardware
opened. This new store allowed them to grow presented the prestigious

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