OUR HISTORY

Topmar Building Supplies is a locally owned family business. It began in 1964 as the construction company Thompson & Mahar, a partnership between John A. (Jack) Mahar and Calvin H. Thompson.

After constructing three homes that year, they decided to go into a full business with the addition of their wives, and sisters Gladys Mahar and Joyce Thompson. By combining the Mahar and Thompson names, they incorporated under the name Topmar Housing & Construction Ltd. in 1965.

Expanding to include both residential and commercial projects, Topmar soon outgrew its home-based office. Later becoming a store-front, Topmar’s first commercial office opened in 1968 on a one-acre site in the Fredericton Industrial Park.

Growing the Business

In 1970, Topmar Building Supplies was incorporated as a sister company to Topmar Housing & Construction Ltd. Experiencing steady growth and showing consistent performance, Topmar spread out across the province, with contracts all over New Brunswick.

In 1976, having outgrown their previous location, Topmar moved into larger quarters on Hodgson Road, just off the Vanier Highway. This new location included a large warehouse and showroom, along with offices and service bays, providing space and specialized facilities for both companies to work side-by-side.

The increasing focus of the growing retail side was on meeting the needs of local builders and contractors with materials and service at competitive prices.

To further these goals, in 1981 Topmar became a member of the buying group Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. (then Bold Lumber Ltd.), which provided the buying power to allow Topmar to become more competitive in the industry.

A Family Tradition

Topmar began as a family business, and company management grew and changed over the years with the family.  Calvin & Joyce Thompson left Topmar to pursue other projects in 1982, and later that year the two companies amalgamated under the name Topmar Building Supplies Ltd.

The construction side of the business was phased out a short time later. In 1990, Jack & Gladys Mahar retired and turned the store over to their son and his wife, John W. & Marie Mahar. John had been involved at Topmar since it had first opened when he was young, and his contribution to the store had grown as he got older.

As a result, it was a smooth transition, and Topmar continued to grow in service and dedication to Fredericton and the surrounding areas.

Modern Location

In 2000, Topmar again moved to a larger site, this time in Devon.  At our current location at 140 Clark Street, Topmar boasts a 20,000 sq. ft. store and Fredericton’s first and only drive-through lumberyard, which benefits both the products and the people in Canadian weather.

Also offering such services as delivery, tool and equipment rental, screen repair, key cutting, and free estimates, Topmar works to be a one-stop shop to help customers from the beginning all the way to the end of their projects.

In 2007, Topmar’s family faced another major change when John W. Mahar died in a tragic accident, leaving Marie with full ownership.

Their older son, John G. (Gerry) Mahar, took over most of John’s responsibilities in the day-to-day operations of the store.  Although Gerry had also worked at the store since his youth, this transition was a bit more difficult as it occurred abruptly and many years earlier than planned.

With the support of family, staff, and customers, Topmar has moved through that difficult time to become even stronger and more committed to serving Fredericton and the surrounding areas.

While maintaining our high standard of service for contractors and other commercial customers, we have also expanded to better serve DIYers and homeowners with everything from paint and materials for minor repairs to such items as gardening supplies and snow shovels.

Topmar opened its new store in Nackawic in March 2016 at 53 Carleton Drive. The opening of Topmar’s Nackawic location has created three full-time and three part-time positions. With this expansion, they hope to support rural New Brunswick and to earn the trust and support of residents in Nackawic and surrounding communities, just as we’ve done in Fredericton as its trusted building supply partner.

Due to the extremely competitive market conditions in Fredericton, the decision was made in late 2018 to close that store.

Today

Topmar Building Supplies remains Nackawic’s trusted building and hardware supply partner, serving contractors and homeowners for over 50 years. With an expanded lumber yard, we are able to provide a wider variety of products for our customers' convenience. Our storefront is home to a wide variety of tools, accessories, and hardware from the leading brands in the industry.