When one says ‘family business in Sault Ste. Marie,’ Soo Mill is one of the first, if not the very first, which comes to mind.
Established by the Hollingsworth family in 1915, the business at 539 Great Northern Rd. (its newest location over the years) is something of a landmark in itself, with just about every homeowner in Sault Ste. Marie being able to say some part of his/her home or yard was purchased through Soo Mill at some point.
The company specializes in kitchens, roofing, decks and fences, paint and flooring, landscaping, exterior doors and windows, bathrooms, siding, garages and sheds, interior doors and trim, decks and wood stoves.
Not content to rest on its laurels after 103 years, Soo Mill is a perennial player in the community, with its second annual Soo Mill Buildall Project Show coming up this weekend at The Machine Shop for those interested in building, renovating or planning a home or cottage.
“We’ll be down at The Machine Shop on Friday April 20 from 12 noon to 8 p.m., and Saturday the 21st from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., open to the general public like we were last year and admission is free with all kinds of giveaways,” said Greg Hall, Soo Mill Buildall store manager.
“People will have the opportunity to see what’s new for 2018 through 47 different vendors that are going to show up,” Greg said.
“We’re going to have our own booth there with the install department, with kitchens, sidings, windows, our truss plant will be there to answer any questions people will have. We’re really excited about this. It was well received last year.”
There’ll be a childrens project zone at the show where kids can have their faces painted and build birdhouses, with prizes available.
Prizes for adults include a 55 inch flat screen TV, a remote control drone, an X-Box One gaming package and a Google home system.
The public will be shown different products and how they’re installed.
“It just gives people an opportunity to ask any questions they have. If they have a fireplace, closet, tools, anything for your renovations, all the vendors for those things are going to be there,” Greg said.
“Last year’s show was fantastic.”
Greg has worked at Soo Mill for 35 years.
“It’s a part of my identity. I’m very proud to say I work at Soo Mill. People recognize a lot of us and say ‘there’s that guy from Soo Mill.’ The owners, the Hollingsworth family, treat us like family.”
“When you look at our history, the Sault and Algoma area has supported us to no end, so we’re very involved in the community and give back. You get to meet a lot of really great people in this business, we’ve built friendships.”
“There’s satisfaction when you see people buying all these products at the store and you get to see that finished project, it’s nice to know you were a part of them building their dream home or renovating their home. It’s kind of cool,” Greg said.
Soo Mill Buildall will also be holding its third annual round of summer charity barbecues in its parking lot facing Great Northern Road.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday from May 19 to June 30, then every Friday until September 15, Soo Mill supplies the BBQ, hamburgers, hot dogs, buns and condiments, while local charities supply the man power and keep 100 per cent of the proceeds for their respective causes.
Soo Mill has helped over 60 groups in this way, including Special Olympics, Lake Superior Figure Skating Club, Northern Critters in Need, The Animal Assistance Group (TAAG) and St. Vincent Place Food Bank and Soup Kitchen.
Established in 1915 by Fremlin Hollingsworth, the business continues with his grandchildren and a mix of approximately 75 full and part time employees, plus a store in Elliot Lake and a prefab truss plant on Sackville Road.