Fort Vermilion’s Hydway Hardware was awarded Best Hardware Store at the 27th Annual Hardlines Conference in October 2023 in Whistler, BC.
Owners Ray Toews and Robyn Currie were presented the honour as selected by Hardlines Retail and Improvement News, which is a specialty publisher of news related to the home improvement industry.
The award presentation summarized owners Ray Toews and Robyn Currie’s journey that led to the opening of Hydway Hardware in 2000. It also detailed the couple’s plight while recovering from a disastrous flood in 2020, which required a year of rebuilding the business.
Hydway Hardware earned the prestige, “for overcoming incredible odds and not only building but rebuilding their business,” said the accompanying award presentation. “Hydway Hardware has truly earned this year’s outstanding retailer award for Best Hardware Store.”
“We would like to thank all of customers over the many and especially the last couple years for helping us achieve this award,” read a statement on the store’s Facebook page.
Launched in 1992, the Outstanding Retailer Awards are Canada’s only national awards program dedicated to celebrating the achievements of hardware, home improvement and building supply dealers and their staff.