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Turner Valley Hardware store had rich history

Dear Editor, These are just a few lines to clarify and correct the history of Turner Valley Hardware Ltd., recently torn down at 112 Main Street. The first hardware store was started by Mr. William Lowery in 1929, with the name Valley Hardware.

Dear Editor,

These are just a few lines to clarify and correct the history of Turner Valley Hardware Ltd., recently torn down at 112 Main Street.

The first hardware store was started by Mr. William Lowery in 1929, with the name Valley Hardware.

He had various properties on Main Street. One of interest is where the present day Post Office sits.

He sold the store to a Mr. Jensen, he ran the business for a few years and sold it to a Mr. Hoff, and he ran the business until 1940.

He sold the store to George and Doris Johnston, who had owned Chinook Dairies west of town.

They owned the store until 1961 and then sold the business to Don and Evelyn Armstrong. Don was previously employed with Royalite Oil Company and Evelyn had worked at the Economy Grocery Store for Jim and Jean McLeod.

The hardware was run as an independent business all those years and used many suppliers.

In 1964 the business was franchised with the Pro Hardware Group and incorporated under the name Turner Valley Hardware Ltd. At that time Western Canada Hardware Ltd. Calgary was the Pro Distributor and main supplier for the business.

In 1969, the store was expanded by purchasing Valley Pool Hall and Barber Shop [built in 1935] from Mr. Jack Gallant, and the buildings were joined, leaving a small corner for the barber shop.

Later, the entire building was used as store and warehouse in the back.

In 1976 it was decided to expand the business again, so a completely new building was put up around the original hardware store which was just 25 by 50 feet and a small warehouse at the back.

The new part was 25 by 120 feet and all joined with the old pool hall, giving 6,000 square feet of store to work with.

This work was done by Howard Harris and his construction crew and completed in November the same year.

I might add that the store never did close while the construction was going on.

After Evelyn’s untimely death, Don sold the business to son Donald T [Terry] and his wife Pat in 1981 and they re-franchised the business under the Home Hardware banner as Home had just moved west taking over the Link Hardware franchises.

They owned and operated the business until 2008, and sold the building and property to its present owners.

Turner Valley Hardware was in the Armstrong family for over 47 years.

Thanks for the memories.

Terry and Pat Armstrong

Turner Valley




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