PRIME MINISTER OFFICIATES AT HOME FURNITURE GRAND OPENING

Furniture World Magazine

Excitement was all around in Lac du Bonnet as crowd of about a 1,000 people gathered in front of the 20,000 sq.ft. Home Hardware Building in Lac du Bonnet, MB, on October 14 for the official Grand Opening of its new Home Furniture showroom. After a year of invitations, The Right Honorable, Jean Chretien, Prime Minister of Canada, was on-hand to perform the ribbon cutting ceremony. Dealer-owners Diane and Alan Richter were ecstatic that the Prime Minister accepted their invitation to officiate the Grand Opening of their Home Furniture store. Now a 'complete' Home store with all divisions under one roof, Home Hardware, Home Building Centre and most recently Home Furniture, the store is located in the small community of Lac du Bonnet, MB, about 1.5 hrs north east of Winnipeg. After months of design, construction and merchandising of the 9,000 sq. ft. furniture store, the result is an excellent showroom which exemplifies the Home Furniture National store concept. The Prime Minister's brief stop in Lac du Bonnet lasted about an hour. Upon arrival he stepped onto the red carpet outside of the store and was greeted by the local MP David Iftody, Diane and Alan Richter and a receiving line that included Walter Hachborn, President and Founder of Home Hardware Stores Limited and Bruce Hammer, National Manager, Home Furniture Stores. After a tour of the furniture store, in which the Prime Minister took time to greet the Home dealers waiting inside and sit in a red leather chair purchased over a year ago in anticipation of his visit, an official ceremony took place outside in front of the crowd. The mayor of Lac du Bonnet welcomed the Prime Minister on behalf of the town. Following, Mr. Hachborn welcomed Mr. Chretien with an inspiring address on behalf of all Home dealers and presented him a with red Home jacket. In her words Diane stated, "Today I'm so proud, to have the Prime Minister of Canada here to officially open our new Home Furniture store. It was always my dream. I am deeply humbled and honored he excepted our invitation." The Prime Minister then addressed the crowd. Recognition of the Richter's contribution to their community, through the expansion of their business, is in keeping with the Liberal government's mandate to support and encourage the growth of small business in all parts of Canada. To this end, Diane was recognized for her part as a woman entrepreneur in rural Canada. He also noted that 80% of all jobs created since his government has taken office are as a result of small business. Also on-hand for the Grand Opening ceremony was the Honorable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs and as mentioned Walter Hachborn, President and Founder of Home Hardware Stores, Limited, Ron Goldade, Director of Home Hardware representing Manitoba, Bruce Hammer, National manager, Home Furniture Stores and other special political and Home guests. The awaiting crowd proudly waved Canadian Flags and adorned "I'm proud to call Camada my Home" (Home's slogan) pins.