Trail Appliances Reimagines Retail with Flagship Store

When Partnership Meets Purpose

This family-owned appliance retailer has always impressed us with their thoughtful approach to business—they're careful with their investments, deeply involved in every decision, and genuinely care about creating something special for their customers.

So when they came to Scott Builders with their biggest dream yet—a 165,145 sq. ft. flagship showroom and warehouse in Edmonton—we quickly realized we weren’t merely raising a structure—we were shaping the former drive-in site into a true retail destination.

A Vision Takes Shape

On a former drive-in theater site along Whitemud Drive, where families once gathered under the stars to watch movies, Trail Appliances envisioned something extraordinary.

The vision was bold: a state-of-the-art showroom where customers could experience appliances like never before, paired with a sophisticated warehouse and something we'd never built before—an interior truck storage area with advanced security features. This project was delivered under a CCDC #14 Design-Build Cost Plus contract, and wasn't just construction; it was creating something truly meaningful for their business.

Adapting to New Realities

Just as Scott Builders broke ground in January 2021, the world shifted beneath our feet. The pandemic didn't just change how the team worked—it challenged everything we thought we knew about construction timelines and supply chains.

The steel we needed? Nine months late. Lighting fixtures from Asia became nearly impossible to source. We found ourselves changing rooftop unit suppliers not once, but twice. Our site meetings moved online, with our team gathering in the construction trailer while everyone else joined virtually from their homes and offices.

But here's what we learned about Trail Appliances during those challenging months: through open communication and collaboration, they understood the unprecedented nature of these delays. They trusted us to navigate these uncharted waters together.

"The owner was very forgiving," recalls Michael Doornbos, our Senior Project Manager who led this journey. "It felt like a true partnership—one that made every extra effort worth it."

Strategic Problem Solving

When challenges arise, that's when our team truly shines. We couldn't wait for the world to return to normal—we had to get creative.

Our solution? Think like a chess player, not a checkers player.

We completely reimagined our construction sequence. Instead of following our traditional timeline, we tendered the structural steel first—getting it ordered while we continued refining the interior designs. Earthwork and foundations progressed through winter, ensuring progress during steel delays.

When the city raised concerns about our innovative truck storage firewall design, potentially causing a two-month delay, our team worked collaboratively with the design team and city officials to find a solution. We ultimately resolved the issue with a creative baffle design that satisfied everyone's safety requirements.

More Than Construction—True Partnership

What made this project special wasn't just the 165,145 square feet we built—it was how we built it. The cost-plus contract structure meant complete transparency. Trail Appliances knew exactly what everything cost, when it would arrive, and why decisions were being made.

"Everybody worked great as a team to get it done," Michael reflects. "Having the cost-plus contract allowed us to do that. Everything was open, and the client knew exactly what everything was going to cost."

This wasn't just about building—it was about building trust, one honest conversation at a time.

A Space That Tells a Story

Walk into Trail Appliances' flagship location today, and you'll see more than just a showroom—you'll see their vision brought to life. The soaring ceilings and carefully planned lighting create an experience that makes appliance shopping feel exciting rather than overwhelming.

The warehouse seamlessly connects to the showroom, while the innovative truck storage area provides security that lets the team rest easy knowing their inventory is protected. And that mezzanine level? It's built-in capacity for future growth as their business continues to expand.

The space isn’t just customer-focused—it also reflects a commitment to creating a well-organized, efficient, and welcoming environment for the people who work there every day.

The numbers tell part of the story:

• Timeline: 2.5 years (navigating an estimated 8-9 months of pandemic delays)
• Size: 165,145 sq. ft. of thoughtfully designed space
• Budget: Project delivered with complete transparency
• Innovation: First-of-its-kind interior truck storage with specialized climate control

But the real story is in Michael's words: "I'm glad we got it done. I'm happy. I'm proud of the building we built. It looks gorgeous inside. It just took a lot of work to get it there."

Building Relationships That Last

Today, when we drive past that flagship location on Whitemud Drive, we don't just see a building—we see a testament to what's possible when two businesses come together with shared values of honesty, persistence, and quality.

Trail Appliances now has their crown jewel, complete with room to grow and infrastructure designed for decades of success. For us, we gained something equally valuable: the satisfaction of knowing that during challenging times, we adapted, persevered, and delivered something truly special.

Want to see more projects like this one? Explore our other case studies.

Ready to Write Your Own Success Story?

Every project has its challenges, but the right partnership makes all the difference. Whether you're planning your flagship facility or expanding your current operations, we bring the same combination of innovation, transparency, and genuine care that made the Trail Appliances project a success.

Let's talk about your vision. We'd love to hear your story and explore how we can help bring it to life.

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