CEDAR AND SO MUCH MORE AT THE CEDAR SHOP

In the 1970s, Jerry Palko regularly got calls from contractors and DIYers looking to buy quality cedar products, but as a lumber distributor, he couldn’t sell direct and had to say no. The obvious demand for these products ignited his entrepreneurial fire and in 1978 he and his wife, Bev, opened The Cedar Shop to meet it.

The small specialty store flourished and soon moved into a larger building on 42 Avenue SE to accommodate its growth. They operated there for 36 years, offering every cedar product imaginable, from shingles to decking. After Jerry passed in 2007, Bev carried on running the business, but she couldn’t do it alone.

“Bev hired me in 2015 because the company needed new leadership and management help,” says Mitch Wile, president of The Cedar Shop. “We were trying to compete with the big box stores in the marketplace and to succeed we needed a better facility so we could service our clients better.”

Mitch, who had extensive experience in the building business, made it happen. They had great brand recognition in the area and wanted to stay close so when a building across the street became available, they jumped at the opportunity. In 2018, only months before Bev passed and left the store to sons Tyler and Brad, The Cedar Shop moved out of the 11,000-squarefoot building and into their current 53,000-squarefoot facility. It now boasts a 15,000-square-foot showroom, ample storage, an onsite assembly mill and manufacturing space where carpenters construct beautiful custom furniture and yard accessories including cedar barrel saunas and custom lattice.

Written by Rennay Craats

While the industry struggled through the downturn in Alberta, the new location breathed much-needed life into The Cedar Shop. Choosing to invest in more inventory so customers never left disappointed paid off and allowed considerable growth in a down market. Then COVID pandemic shut down travel in 2020 and people were staying home.

“The renovation market went crazy (with people) improving their backyards, fences and decks,” says Mitch. “We focused on making sure we had plenty of product in the building and we continually put new products on the floor.” success and support! www.goodfellowinc.com www.fortressbp.com www.fiberondecking.com

The company also invested in its delivery fleet so it could implement free delivery to remove barriers to shopping at The Cedar Shop. While they sacrificed their previous delivery fee revenue, delivery service more than paid for itself in increased sales. And as COVID relented, the Shop continued to get busier.

Customers came for the quality cedar decking, lumber, shakes, shingles and siding that they couldn’t find anywhere else, but they came back because of the incredible service and selection of products that extended far beyond just the store’s namesake wood. From an impressive list of exotic woods like ambrosia maple, walnut and rosewood to a choice of composite, treated or cedar decking, The Cedar Shop has amazing options to complete any project.