The company was founded by John and Margaret Palmer in the 1950s. The young couple began a small outdoor sawmill, John logging his own trees in the winter and Margaret responsible for the bookkeeping. Eventually, they expanded the sawmill to include a small factory which made apple bins and boxes. Years later the factory converted to making windows sashes and the company sold hardware as a small sideline. But soon John and Margaret realized that the hardware sideline was growing. Selling hardware was becoming more successful then making sashes, so they closed the factory and went full time into the building supply business in 1974.

Through the years, not only have John and Margaret Palmer managed the evolution of the company and expansion of its market, they have also welcomed all three of their daughters as well as their spouses into the company fold. The team now consists of Sandra and Garnet Gould, Donna and Ray Bishop, Shirley and Stuart Hinson. John and Margaret also have seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Many of the grandchildren and their spouses are also involved in the family business.

The company has come a long way from the sawmill John and Margaret started almost fifty years ago. In July of 1996, the company bought Rafuse Building Supplies in Wolfville. Annapolis Woodworkers Ltd. in Annapolis Royal was acquired by the company in August of 1997. The business expanded again in 1998 with the purchase of Wolfville Home Hardware and Berwick Home Hardware. An expansion of 5,000 sq. ft. has been added to Berwick Home Hardware to make a combined 16,000 sq. ft. store, one of the largest in the Annapolis Valley. The Palmer group is pleased to have Randy Sanford as a partner in the Berwick Store.

The Palmer Group also employs a qualified residential draftsman who utilizes the latest home design computer software. Visit Mike Lavergne at our new Berwick location. He can help you design anything from a backyard shed to your ultimate dream home. Also at our expanded store, you can visit our brand new large kitchen and bathroom display area where we can help you design that dream kitchen and bathroom for your home.

The move to Berwick will be a more convenient location for customers. The store will operate under the name "Palmer Home Hardware Building Centre" and will now be open Friday evenings as well as all day on Saturdays.