Text Box: Switzer History – 4 generations In 1918 William Henry Switzer purchased the “S Pomeroy and Co. Planning Mill” a building dating back to 1896 on the corner of King and Front Street in Orillia. After changing over some of the equipment “Switzer Planning Mills” began full operation in 1919 producing millwork, windows, doors, cabinets and custom items such as stairs, sidings mouldings and pulpits William had two sons, Roy and Earl. Earl took over as general manager upon William’s death in 1928. In the 1940’s as well as selling to the public Switzer’s also constructed ammunition boxes for the war with the help of local women. Lumber was hard to buy and two wood lots were acquired in Mara Township to keep up the mills supply. After the war Switzer’s produced cabinets and trim for the numerous new schools in the area. At this time the product line in the shop also began to expand from nails to paint and builders hardware. Earl had three sons, Raymond, James and Robert, who all began working in the family business in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. In 1964 the family purchased the “Orillia Home Improvement Centre” at 395 Atherley Rd. In 1970 a fire destroyed much of that building and a larger steel building was erected. In 1972 the family adopted the name of the buying group they associated with, thus becoming Switzer Build-all at King and Front Street and Best Buy Build-all on Atherley Rd. The original mill at the King and Front Street location was renovated into a home improvement showroom with carpet, linoleum, paneling, bathrooms and kitchens on display. This became known as the Carpet Salon and was one of the largest carpet showrooms north of Toronto at that time. The mill facilities were moved to the yard as many items were now available from the manufacturers and only custom work was required. In the 1980’s and early 1990’s the children of Raymond (Heather, Scott, David and Karen), and Robert (Doug )began working in various aspects of the business. In 1984 Switzer’s opened a new 15,000 sq ft showroom. The structure was built behind the existing buildings at King and Front Street. Upon completion of the new structure many of the older buildings were torn down for parking facilities. In 1993 the Switzer family purchased the Mapleneuk buildings in Brechin and Coldwater, and subsequently Best Buy Build-all on Atherley Rd was closed down. In 1999 fire struck the Orillia King and Front street location. Remarkably, within three months the business was back in full operation. In the year 2000 the Switzer family also purchased another lumberyard in Mount Forest – operating as Stewart TimBR-Mart. In 2003 the family decided to separated the stores operations. Now no longer a part of the Orillia store – the Ray Switzer children….Heather Mallard, Scott Switzer and Karen Switzer are now proud owners of Severn TimBR Mart in Coldwater, and Brechin TimBR Mart in Brechin. In 1928 the Orillia Packet & Times wrote “William H. Switzer gained for himself a reputation for square dealing and consideration in his business that might be the envy of many”. In 1995 The Orillia Packet & Times wrote that “the Switzer family continues to maintain the same reputation and live up to the image that William established”. It is our mission statement today to treat our customers fairly with good pricing and good service the way that we would wish to be treated. Heather Mallard, Scott Switzer, Karen Switzer

 

 

 
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Severn Tim-BR Mart

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Our History