Specialty Retailer Lee Valley Tools Relocates To Lawson Heights Mall

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Q: Why did Lee Valley Tools change location?

A: We discussed but the owner decided not to renew We immediately got together to make sure we were staying in Saskatoon. I visited about seven vacant properties and found a space on the site of Lawson Mall, one of the larger malls in the area. We found a good place, about 10,000 square feet and another 3,000 square feet next door. Lawson Heights was familiar with our brand and was very interested in adding us to their portfolio.

We set a goal to open on December 1, 2023, just two months after taking possession, and we achieved it. This is the fastest turnaround we have ever had with a store move. We don't want our employees to worry about their jobs, so we're keeping everyone on regular pay during the transition.

Q: What product line do you sell at Lee Valley Tools?

A: The customers we serve are people who enjoy hobbies, crafts and DIY. Our woodworking journey began with a range of quality woodworking tools - chisels, hammers, planers, marking and measuring tools. We've expanded some power support a bit, but we're keeping the lines together and that's not all. This is a collection of what we think is the best. The core of work is a carpentry tool.

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Over time, we expanded our production lines because woodworking requires design tools. When you're renovating your home, you'll need what we call functional hardware - hinges, drawer pulls, and things like that. This then evolved into decorative hardware and now we have the largest selection of decorative hardware in Canada.

Then we moved on to high quality garden tools. Not cheap stuff that you buy and break after a season. Once again, we've rounded up products we stand for that will last. We have thousands of products in and around the garden, from tools and spades to watering solutions. Then we recently expanded the production of kitchen appliances.

Throughout the journey, we have been very careful about high-quality products that meet many needs. We really go out of our way to create a variety of products that you won't find anywhere else. All classes have a relational element associated with them. We are growing in adjacent markets, but have the same goal: to buy instruments you can be proud of and give them to your family.

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Q: Do you develop your own products?

A. Yes. Lee Valley Tools has its own research and development, engineering and manufacturing departments. We currently have 200 mechanics and fabricators in Canada. There is a special line called Veritas Tools which is our in-house line. We have over 1400 Veritas products. Everything is made in Canada. They are the jewels in Lee Valley's crown because they are the greatest expression of our innovation. They are manufactured in Ottawa and exported to more than 40 countries.

Q: Are there any specific products you would like to highlight?

A: Our main product (recently) is mini battery hand warmer. It's a wallet-sized device that runs on a USB battery. It goes in your hand and you turn it on to warm your hand, and you can put it right in your glove.

Other products that remain steady sellers and have stood the test of time are some surgical brushes - simple plastic brushes that surgeons use before and after surgery. They are incredibly useful and versatile. It's fine if your hands are a little dirty because they have over 1,000 hairs; They get into all the nooks and crannies. Someone uses it to clean vegetables, someone combs children's hair with it. We just wonder why it doesn't exist in every family.

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Another piece of fun that showcases our eclectic approach to products is our brushless grill brush. Unlike your standard grill brush with built-in pins that wear out over time, this brush is made with interlocking galvanized steel springs. It has been a bestseller for three years.

On the tools side, our latest promotion is the Crusher Tracker. When trying to determine which port is connected to which switch, you can move the receiver over the switch and connect the transmitter to the port you are trying to determine. Highlight to indicate correct.

These are great examples of how we create products that solve problems in people's lives.

Q: What makes Lee Valley special?

A: By definition we are a specialist retailer for our categories - Woodworking, Gardening, Hardwood and Kitchenware. The main difference is our approach to product selection. It must solve a problem, be unique, have great value and, above all, be of excellent quality. Unlike retailers, which I would say are mostly very transactional - convenience, ultimately - Lee Valley is a curator. As Robin Lee (former president of Lee Valley) often says, we are the equivalent of a retail product editor. We complement this with very excellent and then exceptional service.

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If you're looking to take up a hobby or a craft, we aim to be the company you contact. We don't want to be the place you go for a bargain. We want to be the place you go when you want to start a new hobby. We want to be an accessible starting point for everyone to help them take their first steps and then accompany them on their journey.

Q: What kind of support do you offer to newcomers?

A: We have added all kinds of starter kits. We have DIY Kits, where we've created about a dozen different kits based on specific skills, where you can get step-by-step instructions, access video tutorials, and all the materials you need for the project, including tools. For example, we have complete sets for slicing spoons or mushroom boards that you can make yourself. It is designed for people who have no tools or just a drill and/or hammer. These are projects you can do in a weekend. Soon we will also include in-store workshops.

This interview has been edited and shortened.

Lee Valley Tools

President : Jason Tessey
Saskatoon Director : Angela Wilson
Address: Lawson Heights Mall (134 Spring Flower Road)
Hours of Operation: Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 09:00 to 20:00; Saturday, from 09:00 to 18:00; Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
Phone: (306) 652-6902
Website: www.leevalley.com
See: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter)

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