Spring is for Pollock’s

North End

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/04/2025 (206 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

As spring begins to trickle into view, seasonal businesses are beginning to poke their heads out of the snow and back into the lives of the people who use them. In some cases, their services go a lot further than simply the products they sell.

Pollock’s Hardware Co-operative is a 103-year-old “North End staple,” which, beyond being the only hardware department store in the North End, offers a variety of community events, programming and opportunities for those in the surrounding community .

The building, a stark, classic warehouse sitting on Main Street near St. John’s Park, is well-known to most in the area. And while it is hardware store — full of handy tools, paints, and memorabilia from local vendors — it’s also a community hub — down to its very design.

“We’ve been a co-operative for over 16 years now,” said Kaitlyn Peters, general manager. “So being a member of the co-op means you’re not just a customer, you’re also a part owner in the business, so you have a share in the company.”

Being a member also means you’re joining a group of over 4,500 people, she added.

Pollock’s is representative of the neighbourhood it was built in, as it offers tool rentals, vintage items for old houses, and many social opportunities.

The business also provides career-building opportunities for high school students and young adults, who can begin the path to more opportunities and permanent employment. This is done through partnerships with local schools, as well as not-for-profit organizations.

“It’s a chance for youth and young adults to build up their skills and have a potential career,” Peters said.

Events such as the annual summer market, set to take place on June 14, are another way the business helps to energize the community.

Admission will be free, Peters said, and the market will feature vendors, live music, and offer a space for “like-minded people to come and enjoy a day out in the North End.”

This summer will also see a “revamp” of the store’s paint section — which will officially launch on April 12 — as well as a new program involving seedlings and plants supplied by local greenhouses.

“In May, people can come by and buy tomatoes and peppers and herbs and some other plants, as well,” Peters said. “And we already have quite a bit of gardening product in the store, but, we’re going to be expanding that even more. And it is exciting.”

“I think people have already been buying gardening stuff since February because we’ve got some green thumbs out there, and people are eager to see the end of winter,” she added.

Asked what she enjoys about her job, Peters highlighted the strong sense of community.

“There’s so many dedicated people here,” she said. “Not just the staff, but our board members, as well. They are such an active part of it. Our customer base, too. So it’s not just … you pop into the store, get what you need, and you’re out of there. It’s a community hub, as well.”

“There’s so many people who are passionate about what they can do to … revitalize the North End or support local businesses. I just love the passion behind Pollock’s. And you know, there’s so much history here and people, the members, and everyone are so dedicated. So it just makes my job even better.”

Pollock’s is located at 1407 Main St. For more information, visit pollockshardwarecoop.com