The Home Depot will open its first store in Bracebridge on May 8, 2003. This 95,000 square foot store will bring superior home improvement supplies and services to do-it-yourself enthusiasts and contractors in the Bracebridge community.

  “We are thrilled to be the newest member of this growing community,” says Annette Verschuren, President, Home Depot Canada. “We look forward to fostering this mutually beneficial and rewarding relationship by bringing the industry’s best customer service, selection and top quality products at the lowest prices, and our commitment to building better communities to Bracebridge.”

  The opening of the new store, which represents a $13 million investment, will create more than 175 full and part time jobs for Bracebridge and area residents. The store will stock approximately 40,000 different kinds of building materials, home improvement supplies, lawn and garden products, a tool rental centre, and an 18,000 square foot garden centre.

  The store will also have a design centre staffed by professional designers who offer free in0-store consultation for home improvements projects ranging from lighting to computer assisted design for kitchens and bathrooms.

  The Home Depot also offers installation services of select products ranging from flooring and blinds to more extensive projects such as kitchen cabinets and countertops. The At-Home Services program offers complete installation of products ranging from roofing to windows to hot water tanks.

  The Home Depot brings more to communities than its promise of quality and selection in home improvements; it brings with it a string commitment to building better communities. Through its long-standing relationship with habitat for Humanity, Home Depot helps build affordable housing. As the largest supporter in Canada, the company donates over $1 million a year and provides thousands of volunteer hours.

Another important component of its commitment to community service is the Home Depot’s dedication to building safe playgrounds as a partner to KaBOOM! The Home Depot Canada provides $1 million in cash and materials each year for the development and building of safe community playgrounds.

Going hand-in-hand with the company’s commitment to serving the community, the Home Depot believes strongly in the development of its employees, both personally and professionally. The Team Depot program promotes active volunteerism among the Home Depot associates, and supports local initiatives in the communities it serves. The company supports and empowers its employees to help make a difference in the lives of others through targeted projects year-round that are aligned with youth-at-risk, affordable housing, and disaster relief and preparedness.

Founded in 1978 in Atlanta, Georgia, Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement retailer, currently operating 1,532 stores, including 91 Home Depot stores in eight Canadian provinces. Home Depot Canada won the 2002 Employee Development award from the Retail Council of Canada for its superior training program. The company reported net sales for fiscal 2002 of $58.2 billion, and employs more than 300,000 associates, including more than 19,000 Canadians.