Starting an article about Kern-Hill Furniture with the famous call to, “C’mon down,” might seem a bit too simple; an easy nostalgia grab. But in a landscape of big box retailers, overnight deliveries and self- serve checkouts, the personal invitation brings a level of comfort, reminding us of a time when shopping felt more human and a familiar voice let you know just what to expect: great prices, reliable products and warm customer service.
For 73 years, Kern-Hill Furniture has been that fixture in Manitoba’s retail landscape, spanning decades of shoppers.
“We see third and fourth-generation customers,” says Nick Hill Jr., noting while some younger clients might not know the old radio bits or TV delivery that helped build the brand, they recognize the enduring values behind them.
If your grandparents ever bought a sofa, chances are it came from Nick Hill at the store’s original Main Street location (see sidebar for more on the legendary businessman). Known as an “old country cowpoke,” Nick’s handshake was as good as a sales bill. His down-to-earth approach made customers feel confident not only in their purchases but in the relationship they were building with the store.
Since then, Nick’s sons — Andy, Nick Jr. and Scott — have carried on their father’s values, from relocating the store from Main Street to Nairn Avenue in 2006 to adapting to the growing pressure from national chains.
Nick Jr. notes that the store’s strong relationship with top-name Canadian suppliers helps them continue to keep customers engaged with products they know they can stand behind. They also worked to customize those trusted items to match consumers’ desire for tailored products that fit their homes in function and fashion. From the fabric to the firmness of the cushions to the wood finishes, Kern-Hill’s knowledgeable and hands-on staff have been a key part of the store’s success, helping customers build out the pieces they wanted without having to look outside their city.
The pandemic signalled the biggest shift for the retailer, which previously had little online presence. With people confined to their homes, renovations and redecorations rose, and demand for their furniture and appliances followed suit, forcing the retailer to focus on digital sales. The orders kept coming in and Kern-Hill, which was notoriously always “overstocked,” struggled to keep products on the floor.
Nick Jr. notes that they continue to see online sales as an important part of their business, particularly as people become more accustomed to buying products sight unseen (or butts on seats). As a retailer that has built its legacy on in-store experiences, it is a bit perplexing – “come see what you’re sitting on,” says Nick Jr. – but a necessary evolution.
This also goes for Kern-Hill’s marketing. It may pain Manitobans used to hearing, let’s say it again, “C’mon down” on the radio, but moving into their next era means adapting to more digital marketing and bolstering their web presence to usher in the next generation of clientele.
That time is already here. While the “brothers three,” as their dad used to call them, are still at the helm of the business, they are being supported by the third generation, all having children either in full or part-time positions within the store.
This continuation is a comforting thought: it means your kids will get to experience the value, community and human commitment of “C’mon down” when it’s their time for a sofa.
The Man in the Stetson
Before he became the familiar face in a white hat, overlaid on a floor stacked with furniture (No. One son never did know how to turn off that sofa-making machine), Nick Hill was chasing pucks, not profits.
Raised on a farm just north of Winnipeg, his grit and determination led him to play semi-pro hockey. Before turning 18, he signed with the Port Arthur West End Bruins, an Ontario-based farm team of the NHL’s Boston Bruins, and later laced up with the Sydney Millionaires in Nova Scotia for the 1952–53 season.
When his season ended, Hill returned to Winnipeg and took a part-time job at Manitoba Television Sales and Service, a North End shop run by John Kiernecki. The two would later partner to launch Kern-Hill Furniture and Appliances in 1952.
Over five decades, Hill built one of Manitoba’s most recognizable retail brands. But it was his marketing that made him a legend. His gravelly voice and country catchphrases filled Manitoba radio and TV airwaves, selling unbeatable bargains, because — as he liked to remind everyone — they were overstocked. The often-improvised commercials helped solidify the store’s place in the hearts of Manitobans.
Hill’s big personality was matched by his generosity. He supported Rainbow Stage, Red Cross, Muscular Dystrophy, along with countless local fundraising events, in order to help the community that had supported him.
Hill passed away suddenly in March 2003, but his legacy has lived on. In 2013, his trademark commercials were digitized in the University of Winnipeg archives, preserving a piece of Manitoba media and business history.
Even today, says son Nick Jr., customers still talk about the iconic pitchman. Many may have never actually met him in person, but the larger-than-life personality that made its way into Manitoba homes through the TV or radio decades ago still sells them on the store’s commitment to value and customer service.
