Big, but not big box.

That was the guiding vision behind the soon-to-be-open Home Hardware Building Centre, a 35,000 square foot store situated on a 10-acre site at the intersection of King and West streets.

Owners John Locke, Mike Tucker and Bill Ecklund say they were determined to capture the small-town feel of their former stores within a bright, spacious environment that doesn’t leave customers feeling overwhelmed.

“It’s a feel-good store,” said Ecklund during a sneak peak this week. “We tried to give the people of Orillia something they could be proud of.”

It replaces two stores – one along Front Street that focused largely on housewares and related products, and the King Street store, with its emphasis on building supplies.

“It was just confusing for customers, and confusing for us,” Ecklund said of the old arrangement.

“Now everything is under one roof.”

A vastly expanded selection of products ranging from hardware and seasonal items to housewares and flooring is complimented by artfully rendered displays of sample kitchens and bathrooms.

Handcrafted items such as a birdhouse, an old-fashioned gas pump and an outhouse perched high in one corner add a personal touch, the owners note.

“It is more than we expected,” remarked Locke as staff readied the store for its Monday morning opening. “We overachieved our expectations.”

The former Front Street location will serve as a clearance centre for old or obsolete items in the short term, with the possibility of the owners establishing a Home Furniture centre there in future.

The now-vacant store fronting West Street will meet the wrecking ball later this month.

“It is a great sense of accomplishment,” Tucker added.

Home Hardware Building Centre will open its doors to the public on April 21 at 7 a.m.