Homestead Furniture Celebrates 50 Years of Service, Community and Quality in Port Perry

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard

SCUGOG: Celebrating 50 years, Homestead Furniture and Appliances credits its longevity to community support, dedicated staff, and a unique approach to business.

Founded in 1976, by Ralph Ballard and Richard “Chic” Carnegie, the store began as a small, locally rooted partnership between two families with deep ties to Port Perry. Over the years, the business changed and expanded, in various points offering everything from TVs, VCR’s and movie rentals to wood stoves and chandeliers, before becoming the full-service furniture and appliance destination it is today.

“They set the standard for what this business represented,” said general manager Tyler Renaud. “They should be acknowledged for their community support. That’s one reason this business has lasted 50 years.”

That milestone legacy continues today, through a philosophy which pairs modern retail with traditional service.

“The secret to 50 years of success? Our sales staff and the service they provide,” said Mr. Renaud. “There are no commissions or pressure sales. I’m fortunate to have Joanne Rahm in accounting and sales and store management, Miranda Sarosi-Sales in sales and website management, Heather Jakobsen in sales, social media and advertising support, Corina Cooke in sales, and our delivery team.”

A team-first approach has helped create a shopping experience that stands apart from larger retailers.

“We’re part of a huge buying group, and our pricing is in line with anybody, but we have the ability to offer that extra service,” Mr. Renaud explained. “We still offer free local delivery. We set up appliances, unpack them and inspect them; all the extra things. Those are the reason why we’re still here.”

Homestead’s reputation has been built not just on service, but on quality. The store carries a wide range of furniture and appliances, including well-known brands, like La-Z-Boy, alongside Canadian manufacturers, such as Superstyle Trendline and Palliser. The focus remains on offering products the team feels confident using in their own homes.

In addition to the respected brands that we have always carried like Maytag, Whirlpool and KitchenAid, we have added small specialty appliances from Stirling Marathon. We have also added other quality brands like Amisco Canadian made bar stools and metal dining furniture as well as Beaver Springs Canadian made outdoor furniture. In recent years, the business has also expanded and modernized. Renovations, updated lighting and a refreshed showroom, have created a more contemporary feel, while an expanded inventory reflects changing customer needs.

“Now, someone building a million-dollar home can come in and furnish a brand-new kitchen. We’ve got the appliances for it. We can cater to people bargain shopping or people looking for the best of the best,” explained Mr. Renaud.

With all the changes, the one thing which hasn’t changed is the store’s core values which remain firmly rooted in community involvement, something Mr. Renaud said is essential to long-term success. “It’s all about supporting our community. Port Perry proud; always do what you can to be a part of the community,” he said. “It’s the community that supports you, so you have to give back. Whether it’s attending community events, or supporting charitable fundraisers, you try to be involved in everything.”

That commitment is reflected in Homestead’s ongoing support for local sports organizations, service clubs, charities and community groups, as well as its work helping families and organizations furnishing homes and facilities when needed.

Inside the store, the same sense of loyalty extends to staff. Many employees have spent decades with Homestead, contributing to a welcoming, knowledgeable environment and a consistency customers have come to trust.

“We’re a very team-oriented place,” Ms. Rahm noted. “From sales to delivery, everyone plays a role in making sure customers are taken care of.”

As Homestead Furniture and Appliances celebrates its 50th anniversary, the focus remains on carrying forward the values established by its founders, while continuing to adapt to the times.

“Our goal is to keep everything good about the business and make it more current,” said Mr. Renaud.

After five decades, the blend of tradition and progress continues to define Homestead, a business shaped by strong relationships and 50 years of serving Port Perry.