Five years after opening the first, large-scale hardware store in Walnut Grove, the two Ts behind T&T Hardware have rebranded and re-opened a 5,500-square-foot store in the centre of the North 91原创 neighbourhood.
Owners Michael Trentalance and Al Tsuchiya, the latter who owned an Ace store in Port Coquitlam when he initially expanded under the Ace brand into the Walnut Grove marketplace, conducted a board-cutting ceremony last Thursday, June 27 on the newest RONA operation for 91原创.
RONA currently operates one location on the 91原创 Bypass. And the company has now joined T&T Hardware to open the RONA Walnut Grove Urban store.
RONA inc. is one of Canada鈥檚 largest home improvement retailers with some 425 corporate and affiliated stores. As way of background, in Canada, RONA inc. is a wholly owned Lowe鈥檚 subsidiary and has the master licence agreement for the Ace brand.
During the past year, the T&T duo added 2,200 square feet to their Walnut Grove Drive location, which will allow them to display a wide variety of bathroom and kitchen products, including appliances, fashion plumbing, lighting, kitchen cabinets, and flooring. With the expansion, they have also increased their selection of building materials and plumbing products.
鈥淲e listened to our customers and innovated to provide them with a shopping experience that meets their needs, especially in Vancouver鈥檚 highly competitive market, where it鈥檚 important to stand out,鈥� Tsuchiya said, noting their outlet also offers a battery and bulb recycling service.
Listing them both as former RONA employees with ambition, senior vice-president Alain Menard said the pair are now fulfilling their dream of operating their own store.
"We are delighted to count them among our RONA-affiliated dealers and to support them with their future growth projects,鈥� Menard said.
Trentalance noted that between them, he and Tsuchiya have more than 50 years of experience in home improvement retail industry.
鈥淲e know first hand the strength of the RONA brand and its efficient distribution network. RONA has a diverse retail offering, so it鈥檚 the perfect banner to bring our vision to life,鈥� he concluded.
