Blight’s Home Hardware

In the People Business, Selling Hardware

Jeffrey Ho’s dream was to own a hardware store and in the last 18 years, he fulfilled that goal threefold beginning with Blight’s Home Hardware.

Originally from South Africa, Jeffrey arrived in Canada in 1987 where he lived for four years before heading back to Johannesburg to help with his family’s butchery business. Five years later he returned to Canada. He worked briefly as a web developer but lost his job when the company closed.

After many months of job searching, he was offered a job at Hewer Home Hardware in Point Grey Village. This is when Jeffrey discovered his passion for retail hardware and his dream to operate his own business was born. He heard through the grapevine that Blight’s Home Hardware might be for sale and contacted Ted Blightt to ask for first consideration. His wish came true—Jeffrey purchased the store in March 2003. Blight's Home Hardware has been part of the community since 1946. Harry Blightt and his father-in-law Jim Pulham were the founders. After Jim passed away, Harry Blightt operated the shop until Ted Blightt joined him; they ran the family business until 2003.

The well-loved neighbourhood shop offers a wide selection of products. If something is not carried it can be special ordered. Jeffrey says, “We will go the extra mile for a vacuum bag or a special light bulb.”

I get excited when I see opportunities.

In 2011, an opportunity arose to purchase Gandy’s Home Hardware on West 4th Avenue. In April 2021, the 75-year-old business was forced to move due to a rent increase; it is now located on West Broadway Avenue near Macdonald Street.

Jeffrey kept the name Gandy’s to honour the business’s rich history. Five years ago he opened his third store, Davie Village Home Hardware, and three years ago he doubled the size of that shop.

Running three stores keeps Jeffrey very busy, but a fourth opportunity knocked three years ago and he opened Westside Paint & Decorating, a Benjamin Moore store located two doors down from Blight’s where his entrepreneurial journey began.

I am always looking to offer more to my clients.

Although each store has a manager, Jeffrey steps in right beside the staff, whether it involves ordering, serving customers, offloading trucks, or cleaning floors. He jokes in his warm South African accent that he has cleaned a lot of toilets over the years. He says, “No job is too small for an owner. I like to be involved and lead by example.”

During the pandemic, his mother-in-law, Queenie So, and his long-term employees Merlin Pulanco and Jon Ellis stepped away from the business, but clients will be happy to see them back behind the counter soon. During their absence, Jeffrey’s daughter Lauren stepped in to assist store manager Michael O’Connell who has been with the business for eight years.

All of his stores have thrived during the pandemic. Jeffrey believes it is because people have had more time on their hands while they have been cooped up at home to shop locally and undertake household projects.

Jeffrey says, “It’s been such an interesting time. Support from the neighhourhood has been amazing. I can’t say enough about them. I am very thankful.”

From fresh coats of paint to dripping faucets and garden projects, Blight’s is Dunbar’s go-to store.

This summer fans, portable and window air conditioning units have all been in high demand. In the fall and winter customers look for leaf bags, heaters, heating supplies, and sidewalk salt.

Jeffrey has increased his spring gardening department to include soil, grass seed, and fertilizer. The staff is always happy to offer lawn maintenance advice.

In addition to selling traditional hardware store products, Blight’s also offers knife and scissor sharpening services. As well, light bulbs and batteries can be recycled at the store, and twenty-pound propane tanks can be exchanged. The store also accepts SodaStream CO2 cylinder returns. One new service Jeffrey is particularly excited about is replacement transponder car keys and remote control replacements. Keys can be programmed in-store to provide customers with quality products at competitive costs.

Being a small business owner has many rewards. Jeffrey says, “Customer service makes me happy. We are in the people business, selling hardware. People come for the experience Blight’s offers and to be acknowledged.”

The staff know many customers by name. Jeffrey comments, “It’s not all about the sale. We enjoy helping people solve problems. If we can’t help them we will direct them to someone who can. It comes back to helping others. The extra service we offer is what makes Blight’s special. When people experience this they return.”

He adds, “Blight’s is a destination store. It is not conveniently situated in the centre of Dunbar. However, the north end of Dunbar Street is experiencing changes—some of the empty stores are filling up and we have good neighbours.”

Being part of a small community inspires Jeffrey to give back. Blight’s has been a longterm sponsor of the Dunbar Little League and the Dunbar Lawn Bowling Association.

He has been a volunteer board member with the Dunbar Village Business Association since 2008 and applauds the work they do for the community. When things return to normal, Jeffrey looks forward to the well-loved events such as the Dunbar Harvest Festival, Dunbar Village Trick or Treat, and Dunbar Village for the Holidays.

The pandemic has been a difficult time for us all, but it has also served as a reminder that communities can rally together and become stronger if they support one another and their local businesses. Blight’s Home Hardware is a perfect example of a small business with a commitment to offering exceptional personal service that surpasses customers’ expectations. It is because of dedicated merchants like Jeffrey that Dunbar is a special place to call home.

Blight’s Home Hardware, 3322 Dunbar Street, Vancouver, BC, V6S 2C1

Telephone 604-738-3312

www.homehardware.ca/store/55013