Canada’s Best Barbecue Store Celebrates 40 years

By Anna Guy

Gas or charcoal? Propane or wood? Portable or outdoor kitchen? When it comes to picking a barbecue, the options are almost limitless.

Barbecues Galore—Canada’s best retailer of barbecues, fireplaces, and everything you need to furnish your backyard—has helped Canadians transform their patios, decks and inside their homes into their own oasis for 40 years.

What started out in 1979 as a barbecue distribution company has now grown into a thriving retail business in Alberta and Ontario. The first retail store was a true pit master’s dream, located in Northeast Calgary. Early customers were happy to go slightly out of their way for Barbecues Galore’s extensive selection, top-notch customer service and knowledgeable staff. With barbecue technology, selection, and brands constantly evolving, 40 years later one thing remains the same: Barbecues Galore is the place to go for huge selection and exemplary, expert service.

And they don’t just help you get the barbecue you need —Barbecues Galore can take care of you from beginning to end with their Barbecue Butler service. Their service team offers assembly, delivery, repairs, and fully licensed gas fitters that will come to your home and set you up with everything you need.

“What sets us apart from other big box stores is our passion—a passion for the products that we sell and passion for providing superior customer service to everyone who walks through our doors,” says Paul Johnson, Vice President of Barbecues Galore.

This company understands customers have many options when it comes to purchasing their barbecues, and they work to earn its reputation as the smart choice to shop. “First of all, we have a full selection on our floor and over 100 barbecues on display year-round,” Johnson says. “We focus a lot on training, and our sales team is second-to-none and are prepared to help customers find the barbecue that best suits their needs.” Barbecues Galore offers to price match any identical product up to 14 days after purchase with their Price Promise to compete with the ever-present big box stores.

Throughout the years, Barbecues Galore have augmented their additional services to include a Canadian-leading selection in the patio furniture and gas fire table categories. “We are committed to the barbecue category year-round,” says Johnson, “and this means completing the outdoor experience, including offering high quality patio furniture, or a focal point and heat source, like a fire pit table.”

Barbecues Galore brings people together. Johnson says whenever someone discovers where he works, the conversation will inevitably turn to a wonderful meal someone prepared, or a memorable get together with neighbours, friends, and family. The recent popularity of DIY and cooking shows on specialty channels and the Internet has also meant more people coming through the doors of Barbecues Galore ready to replicate some of the new and innovative ideas they see.

Barbecues Galore encourages exploring the realm of grilling by offering a variety of rare spices, seasonings, and sauces, innovative and fun cooking accessories, and offering monthly and weekly recipes, how-to’s, and barbecue updates on their website, blog and newsletter. Their focus is on the experience of barbecuing; they continue to build customer relationships and have fun with grilling by hosting free demonstrations and cookouts with various brands and providing weekly deals throughout the year.

Johnson says the sizes, features, selection, and fuel brands have evolved since 1979, but some things never change. “It’s about people having fun, and friends and family spending time outdoors,” says Johnson.

www.barbecuesgalore.ca