Throwback Thursday is a regular weekly feature in which we dip into the Hardlines Weekly Report archives.

On Oct. 27, 2003, we reported that Castle had hired dealer development specialist Mike Frame from RONA.

We wrote:

“The hiring of Mike Frame marks another step in the growth of Castle’s commitment to dealer recruitment. It’s also the first step in establishing a succession plan for Castle Building Centres.

“Frame started last week as part of the dealer development team under Castle’s national business development manager, Ron Marchetti. He will handle Eastern Ontario while Marchetti will now confine his coverage of the province to the West, until his retirement next August.”

(Pictured l-r: Mike Frame and Ron Marchetti in 2003.)

The Home Depot Canada launched its 15th bi-annual Orange Door Project fundraising campaign this week, combating youth homelessness across Canada. Continuing until Dec. 17, the campaign will collaborate with local charities to support ongoing initiatives aimed at providing safe, stable housing and life skills development programs to help youth with tools to exit homelessness. The company will cover all administrative costs associated with the campaign, ensuring that every dollar raised directly benefits each local community.

Staff across all 182 Home Depot stores will be actively involved, empowering them to make a tangible difference in these vital community efforts. The Foundation recently set a new target of raising $125 million by 2030.

Since the program’s inception in 2009, the Foundation has raised over $18 million for youth across Canada, and hopes to raise $900,000 this holiday season.

Liz Rodbell has rejoined Hudson’s Bay as president and CEO, effective Dec. 1. Rodbell previously served as the retailer’s president from 2013 to 2017, being appointed to the top position after serving as chief merchant. She replaces Sophia Hwang-Judiesch, who is, says the company in a release, “stepping down from her role as president of Hudson’s Bay to pursue another opportunity.”

Under Rodbell’s previous tenure, Hudson’s Bay’s sales rose 22 percent.

Mastermind Toys, the specialty toy and children’s book retailer, has obtained creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act from the Ontario Superior Court. All 66 stores across Canada remain open for business, however the company was forced to seek creditor protection after several years of challenges including increasing competition, disruptions from Covid, and what it calls “a deteriorating macro-economic environment.”

During the CCAA proceedings, Mastermind Toys intends to seek the Court’s authorization to commence a store closure process for an initial group of stores, while it explores strategic alternatives for the remaining outlets.

At BMR Group, Vincent Chicoine has been appointed vice president, pro sales, effective Jan. 8. He will report to Antonio Di Pasquale, BMR’s COO. Chicoine brings over 16 years of sales experience in the residential and commercial construction and renovation industry. He spent the past 15 years with IKO Industries, most recently as regional sales manager for eastern Canada.

“BMR is a leader in the contractor customer segment, and Vincent’s arrival at the company will contribute to the further growth of this important business segment,” Di Pasquale said in a release.

The Atlantic Building Supply Dealers Association held its second annual HR Conference earlier this month, bringing together experts on hiring and recruitment with a room full of dealers looking for ways to cope with the ongoing shortage of available workers. More than 100 people from across Atlantic Canada were in attendance.

“Its a perfect storm of aging demographics and a new generation coming up,” said ABSDA president Denis Melanson in his opening remarks. He added that 34 percent of the population in Atlantic Canada is now 62 years or older, “and we expect to have to hire 4,000 people in the coming years.”

The realities of today’s labour market require employers to consider new Canadians in their hiring. Jordan Remedios, program co-ordinator for the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, talked to the delegates about how to make your workplace more welcoming to new hires, regardless of where they come from. But with new Canadians especially, he said, cultural differences can create confusion in the workplace.

Overcoming that confusion and fostering an environment that enables all workers to share ideas goes a long way to ensuring one’s workplace will reap the benefits of inter-cultural competency, he noted.

(Keep up on the HR issues affecting home improvement dealers and suppliers with our sister publication, Hardlines HR Advisor. It’s monthly and it’s free! Click here to subscribe at no charge!)

Bad Boy Furniture has entered bankruptcy protection in an effort to restructure its business. The Toronto-area furniture and appliance retailer was (in)famous for decades for its TV ads that featured old-time hustle and bravado, with endless variations on the slogan: “Who’s better than Bad Boy? Nooobody!”

Now, faced with high interest rates and a slowed housing market, Bad Boy has filed a notice of intention proposal under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act. Faced with $13.7 million in debt, the company has appointed Infinity Asset Solutions to oversee the total liquidation of its entire inventory, valued at $25 million.

(Wait, there’s more to this story! Our Premium Member-Subscribers read more details of the bankruptcy and the legacy of the retailer’s founder (and Toronto mayor), Mel Lastman, in the latest issue of Hardlines Weekly Report! Our Premium Membership is not just another subscription, but a portal to big savings for all our products and services. Check out our amazing Hardlines Premium Membership to learn how you can stay in the know and save big!)

Prosol Inc, a leading distributor of flooring installation products, has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of Barricade Subfloor Products’ innovative subfloor lines in Canada. “Barricade aims to expand its availability in the Canadian market by offering its cutting-edge subfloor products to a wider range of customers,” Barricade said in a release.

Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade was held yesterday, snaking its way through the city’s downtown, delighting kids of all ages, while jamming up traffic for drivers.

Big retailers joined the festivities, like Canadian Tire, which had one of its trucks in the parade. Other retailers included Zellers, featuring its venerable mascot, Zeddy, the teddy bear.

RONA has announced the latest wave of conversions of its Lowe’s-bannered stores to the new RONA+ brand. The switch consists of 13 stores, all in Alberta:

• Lowe’s Calgary Crowfoot
• Lowe’s Calgary MacLeod
• Lowe’s Calgary McKenzie
• Lowe’s Calgary Signal Hill
• Lowe’s Calgary Sunridge
• Lowe’s Calgary Crossiron
• Lowe’s St. Albert
• Lowe’s Edmonton North East
• Lowe’s Edmonton South Common
• Lowe’s Edmonton West
• Lowe’s Sherwood Park
• Lowe’s Red Deer
• Lowe’s Lethbridge

The stores will remain open during the conversions.