For hometown merchant George MacNaughtan giving great service is not an option, it's a family tradition.

MacNaughtan operated the Bracebridge Home Hardware with his father since 1971 and when he sold the business last September, it left a vacant spot for the Sears store that he has owned and operated since 1999, located at the back of the same building on Manitoba Street.

With his son Andrew, the MacNaughtans are proud to reopen the Sears Bracebridge dealer store in the space occupied by the hardware store started by George's grandfather, Peter MacNaughtan, 62 years ago.

This move is being celebrated with a grand opening event from Sept. 20 to 22 while the ribbon-cutting ceremony with Town of Bracebridge Mayor Don Coates will commence at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20.

MacNaughtan is excited about the larger location and believes the great service he and his father provided at the hardware store will continue at the new larger Sears store.

“All the learning we did the past 62 years we're bringing to Sears, hoping our customers are as happy as our Home Hardware customers.”

He added that people want more selection and this larger location can provide this to his customers.

His sense of good service came from the ideals and experience by grandfather Peter and his father Jim, who also owned and operated the Home Hardware.

“The customer is king and we need to do our level best to make the customer feel welcome coming in the store. Or else why would they come into our store,” he said. “It doesn't matter whether you're selling nuts and bolts or washing machines.”

Recently the store was awarded the Gold Badge Award for Outstanding Service for the second straight year by Sears Canada. Customers are telephoned after making purchases by Sears Canada and service is rated according to the responses.

MacNaughtan is a supporter of the downtown and demonstrated his loyalty by keeping the store close to where it has always been.

“Staying on the main street is important. I feel the need to continue to operate on the main street because it adds to the business momentum of the downtown area,” he said.

“When there are lots of stores, it's a great place for customers to shop.”

Located at 229 Manitoba St., the new Sears location now boasts 5,000 square feet.

The added space has given room for 60 more appliances, eight queen-sized bed sets, a wall full of televisions, exercise machines and vacuums.

The store offers a host of quality products such as the Craftsman lawn and garden equipment, Kenmore appliances, and Sears-o-pedic bed sets. With the entrance to the building level with the street, the store promises accessibility for anyone with physical challenges.

The store hours have increased, opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 5:30 p.m., but Sunday the store will remain closed as it has for years. The store employs five full-time staff, not including George and son Andrew.

Although the store will have the Sears name on the building, it will operate under Peter MacNaughtan Hardware Ltd. so the store will not only be run in the memory of his grandfather, but his spirit.

“I'm proud of that, but it confuses people because it isn't a hardware store anymore. We're not apologizing for the fact that we're still running under my grandfather's corporate name. . . . It's still very much a family-run business,” he said.

At the opening event the first 100 customers will get a free ice cream. Customers will also be eligible for a draw for a queen-sized Sears-o-pedic chiropractic bed valued at $1,299.99. The winning ticket will be drawn Saturday afternoon, Sept. 22. Entry ballots will only be available at the Sears in Bracebridge.

The opening will coincide with the Bracebridge street festival that will bring collectible cars to the parking lot and live entertainment just outside the doors.