Callbecks Home Hardware Building Centre

Message from owner

Callbeck's was founded by William Callbeck in Central Bedeque, PEI in 1899. William was a tailor as well as a merchant and a farmer. The business served as a tailor shop and general store for the surrounding communities.

William's son Ralph later assumed control of the business and evolved it into a true "General Store" by retailing groceries, clothing, hardware, and building supplies. In addition to the retail business the store was also an egg-grading station and also contained the Central Bedeque Post Office and was officially known as Ralph Callbeck and Company. Ralph died in 1967 and it was then that his two children, Catherine and William, assumed management of the company.

Under their leadership, the business continued to expand and evolve. Under Catherine's direction, furniture was added to the retail mix.

William established a Home Hardware Franchise for the business in Central Bedeque in 1971, and that association continues to the present. Home Hardware was founded in 1964 by a small group of hardware retailers, and has grown into the largest dealer-owned hardware and building supply wholesaler in Canada with a membership of over 1,000 stores.

In the late 1980's the Callbeck Family again saw the need to evolve with the times in order to continue to serve Islanders in the retail business. A decision was made to build a new Home Hardware Building Centre Superstore in Summerside. This ultra-modern 20,000 square foot facility was officially opened in August 1990.

In August of 2007, Ron and Donna MacDonald became the sole owners of Callbeck's Home Hardware continuing on with the family owned and operated heritage. Ron has worked in the business for over 40 years, and currently has 3 children involved in the business who will hopefully carry on the tradition for another 100 years. In January 2012, Ron and Donna moved their Home Furniture franchise to a newly-built facility located at 205 Wyatt Crescent (adjacent to Callbeck's Home Hardware).