Shawn and Suzie Fadear said they were amazed at the overwhelming response they received from their invitation to meet them as the new owners of the Irly Building Centre in Barriere over coffee and donuts on Feb. 1st.
When asked what persuaded the couple to buy the store they responded, “We had been thinking it was time for a change, and maybe we could improve on what was already here. In view of that we did a survey, to which we had a lot of interesting feedback, and this will assist us in making some future changes.”
The customer survey showed that area consumers are looking forward to being able to locally purchase the items they need. Increasing the amount of building supplies at the store ranked at the top of the list, and there was also much interest in the rental of small equipment. More kitchen supplies and basic housewares were also on the customer’s wish list.
One of the questions asked was if area residents would considered buying more locally if the items were available; and people replied that they certainly would because it saves them time and money if they don’t have to make a trip to Kamloops for everyday needed items.
The Fadears say they have also purchased property just south of Barr K Treats on the Yellowhead Highway, and it will be the future site of a new Irly Building Supply Store.
Some area residents raised concerns that the creation of the new store would cause the existing store to be “boarded up like a few other businesses in downtown Barriere”, Shawn answered that this would not happen. The new building is only in the planning stage right now, with estimates that the new structure will be three times larger than the existing one. He pointed out that many things have to be worked out before actual development can take place.
Shawn notes he hopes to build the old business up in order to eventually market it to someone who intends to start something different; perhaps a clothing store or other commercial outlet that could flourish in Barriere.
Asked when all these changes could be expected, Shawn said, “We just have to see how things will progress and take it from there.”
From the results of the survey and the Feb. 1st event it seems that Barriere and area residents are well-pleased that local people have bought the “old hardware store”.
Shawn says he can still remember many years ago when he used to come into the store with his grandpa Jim Fadear.
Now Shawn and Suzie are excitedly looking forward to “Making things better for people here in their hometown.”