Photo from Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum 1980s
The old hardware stores were much better than the big box chains because they had more personal service and often had a shop inside where they offered services like small motor repair, locksmithing, fixing old window screens and broken glass panes. Unfortunately, people abandoned the local hardware stores for the big box stores and most of the family owned stores have gone out of business.
A few items that were common in hardware stores 60 years ago that few places sell today were: decorative decals, electrical panels that used fuses instead of breakers, and oakum and lead material for sealing the joints in the old cast iron plumbing drainpipes nobody uses anymore. You also used to be able to get brass and ceramic replacement parts for old time light switches. Funny to think they used to make light switches that were repairable. Today they are disposable and mostly made of molded plastic.
Some of the materials were different since houses were still made with lathe and plaster walls and there was not as much plastic used for piping and even wire insulation. You could also buy a wider variety of small hardware like nails and nuts and bolts individually or by the pound. Most of that kind of hardware comes in plastic packs of multiple quantities today, Most hardware stores sold paint too, but that is becoming rare since they have such competition from places like Walmart now. Back then they were about the only place besides Sears where people could buy tools.
Photo- Google image-Stremberg Carlson radio
In 1932 George W. Eades took over the hardware store formerly operated by W. J. Muirhead. He carried a full line of shelf and builders hardware and a complete range of electrical appliances and stoves. Eades also featured the very popular Findlay stoves and ranges.
The hardware store also carried Westinghouse refrigerators, washers and Stremberg Carlson radios. The local Carleton Place youth will probably remember buying their CCM Bicycles there.
George was not content with just his hardware business and also built up a prosperous coal business and carried a full line of domestic fuel. Eades also carried on on as an electrical contracting business and handled all kinds of electrical wiring jobs. The hardware store was proud of their affiliation with Lowe Bros. paints and Eades store was considered one of the largest paint accounts in the valley.
George W. Eades Home Hardware policy in business was always to give fair service to his customers and a fair deal to everyone.It is because of this policy that he attributed the success to which his business attained through the years.
Updates from the Facebook group The Tales of Carleton Place
Allison Kirkpatrick–On my sixth birthday I happened to be with my father as he shopped at Eades. George Eades heard it was my birthday and he disappeared to the toy section and came back with a lovely toy china dish set and presented it to me. I still have that dish set and it has been used by our daughter and granddaughters who, in an interesting twist of fate, turned out to be George’s great-granddaughter and great-great granddaughters.
Norma Ford –If I am not mistaken, Eades had the 1st television to be sold in Carleton Place. It was standing room only in front of their store when they had it turned on. Fascinating store and excellent service.
Caroline Nemnhard–Eades was a big part of my childhood we were always going in there for something, always went in the back door. And as a kid I was free to play anywhere I wanted in the store. I remember my cousin coming for a visit one weekend and she was 6, and what she remembers the most about her visit was the day we went to Eades. It was more like a general store atmosphere, everyone met there and chatted.
Patricia M Mason Leduc –Eades was one of our go to stores every weekend en route to the cottage or through out the summers that we spent at the cottage. We also use to go in the back door. There was something about this store that just greeted you every time. The wooden floors that creaked with every step took you into a time gone by.
Linda Gallipeau-Johnston— My parents shopped there all their lives and we did too. Loved this store – cannot count the number of gallons of paint, not to mention the great help in the store. Those were the days of knowing everyone and everyone knew you. You could call up on the phone and ask to have something delivered, and that’s exactly what took place. A remarkable lady at the cash – Freda Perry/Snedden – was one of their best assets. Always a smile! Just one of those places I could not say enough about.
Patricia M Mason Leduc–I also remember if there was a parade the customers would be informed to take a few minutes and join the store in watching the parade. Business would resume when the parade was over. The majority of customers always joined in on the celebrations and resumed shopping afterwards. It was just part of small town life
1.Our iconic Carleton Place resident, Carman Lalonde once worked at Eades Hardware.
2.Published in The Ottawa Citizen from Dec. 18 to Dec. 19, 2008
Gerald A. HASKINS–One of Eades Hardware Longest Employees in Carleton Place.
HASKINS, Gerald A. Employee of Eades Home Hardware for over 50 years. Peacefully at Stoneridge Manor in his 89th year. Beloved husband of the late Ruth (Giles). Loving father of Diane (Bill Rutan), and the late Judy (John Warren). Dear Grandpa of Kim (Perry Hutt), Kevin (Doreen) Warren, Todd (Tracie) Rutan, and Ian. Great-grandpa to Jenni-Lynn and Mckenzie. Dear brother of Gladys Watt, and a special friend of Phyllis. Friends may call at the Carleton Place Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 61 Lake Ave. West, Carleton Place on Friday December 19th from 12 noon until time of service in the Chapel at 2 p.m. Interment to follow at Prestonvale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to Stoneridge Manor Auxiliary, 256 High Street, Carleton Place K7C 1X1.
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