St. Jacobs, Ontario, May 18, 2011 -Home Hardware Dealer-Owner, Conrad Leblanc of Tediche Home Hardware Building Centre in Cap-Pele, New Brunswick was recognized as a Young Retailer of the Year by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA).

Currently in its fifteenth year, the Young Retailer of the Year Program highlights young, aspiring hardware retailers and honours them for outstanding achievement as owners and managers of independently owned hardware and building supply stores in the United States and Canada

"On behalf of 1,080 Home Hardware Dealers across Canada, I'd like to congratulate Conrad on this remarkable accomplishment," said Paul Straus, President and CEO of Home Hardware Stores Limited. "Young retailers are the future of our industry in Canada. It's great to see a young, entrepreneurial minded Canadian like Conrad recognize the potential of running his own business in hardware retailing and see the results of his hard work at such an early stage in his career. We're proud to call him part of the Home Hardware family."

Tediche Home Hardware Building Centre is Conrad's first entrepreneurial venture. Conrad never pictured himself owning a building supply store and in fact had intended on having a career in aviation. In 1998, when former Dealer-Owner Andre LeBlanc purchased the property, Conrad had no idea that the time he spent at his uncle's store would turn into his future. Conrad took over the business in January 2006, and hasn't looked back since.

"The Young Retailer of the Year program is designed to honor outstanding young retailers in Canada and the United States and to encourage others to make hardware retailing their career," said Tom Delph, Program Director, NRHA's Young Retailer of the Year. "The individuals are evaluated on their individual accomplishments in the business, industry education, community involvement and the store's overall performance. The success achieved by these young retailers demonstrates that the future of the retail hardware business is in good hands. Conrad Leblanc is an excellent example of this success.

Tediche Home Hardware Building Centre boasts 10,000 square feet of indoor retail space, a significant growth from it's original 5,000 square feet. Since taking over the location, LeBlanc has overseen a revamping of the entire store to allow for an expanded inventory and superior selection of products to appeal to their growing customer base.

"At Tediche Home Hardware Building Centre our customers get the service they want, need and deserve," said Leblanc. "It doesn't matter if they are buying a single nail or a new kitchen sink; any customer who comes in our door can expect the best customer service every time."

The 21 member Tediche Home Hardware Building Centre team is experienced and knowledgeable. They make an effort to create a positive experience for every customer, whether their need is small or large - they go the extra mile to make a visit to the store worthwhile.


"Success isn't just measured by numbers, it's also about having a store that you're proud to own, one that's tidy and organized and that your staff enjoy coming to each morning, and one that delivers a great experience to every customer walking through the door," continued Leblanc. "Sales and profits almost always follow when you've achieved this."

Leblanc is Home Hardware's ninth NRHA Young Retailer of the Year Honouree. Past honourees include:
• Patrick Guilbert, Neepawa Home Hardwrae, 2010
• Chris Beilhartz - Echo Bay Home Hardware Building Centre, 2009
• Maurice Chevalier - Morinville Home Hardware, 2008
• Adam Busscher - Picton Home Hardware, 2007
• Monte McNaughton - McNaughton Home Hardware Building Centre, 2005
• David Dishke - Grand River Home Hardware, 2004
• Tanya Hanson Rocca - Roblynn Home Hardware Building Centre, 2002
• Philip Fynbo - Essex Home Hardware, 2000

About Home Hardware Stores Limited
100% Canadian owned and operated, Home Hardware Stores Limited has a presence in every Canadian province and territory and is the country's largest independent, Dealer-owned hardware, lumber, building materials and furniture cooperative. Founded on January 1, 1964 by 122 independent hardware Dealers, the cooperative now includes more than 1,080 stores, under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners, with annual collective retail sales of more than $5 billion. Home Hardware's independent Dealer-Owners, recognized by the North American Retail Hardware Association as Canada's best-trained Dealer group, have access to 100,000 quality brand name and private label products, a world-class distribution system and draw upon the power of Home Hardware's network to provide their local communities with top quality products and services at competitive prices.

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For more information, please contact Lindsey Dietrich, Home Hardware Stores Limited at 519-664-2252 x6676 or lindsey.dietrich@homehardware.ca