THUNDER BAY — After eight decades in business, McEachern's Tool House is still going strong.
Keyl McEachern is part of the fourth generation of family members who work at the store, which has been in operation since the 1940s.
"My great-grandfather originally started it in 1944. It goes to show that Thunder Bay likes to support local and as long as you are there and provide the service they need, they'll be there to have your back for that long."
Originally located on May Street, the tool house sold small hand tools and evolved over the years.
"We grew over the decades. It became a business that supplied to a lot of the mills and things like that when we had paper mills all over and grain elevators."
It was in 1970 that the North Vickers Street location was built, and the business relocated.
"And when we moved into the current location . . . we would sell insulation and things like that and it became a big business. Now we've switched, and we offer cordless power tools, and it's just kind of following the demand of what the city and what the territory needs."
At one point the store had a truck full of tools and would deliver them to worksites and other places, as needed.
When asked if he'll be taking over the helm of the family business, the fourth-generation McEachern said he's happy to be working there but "who knows what the future holds."
He also alluded to major business events this year, including a big tool show on June 6.
