Our Journey

Walking the walk since 1915—from shoes to spaces, always making room for more.

1915

Black and white photo of a storefront with signs for Bill Holmes Shoes and J. Primeau Men's & Boys Wear. Multiple windows with awnings above.

Our story began in 1915 with Jim Holmes, a visionary entrepreneur who founded a shoe store that became a legacy. His commitment to quality, service, and integrity was more than just good business—it was a family tradition.

1975

A man and boy standing together outside, smiling at the camera.

That tradition carried forward with his sons and, ultimately, his grandson, Rick Holmes, who expanded the family’s entrepreneurial spirit beyond footwear. In 1975, Rick founded Holmes + Brakel (H+B), bringing the same dedication to excellence into the world of office furniture solutions.

1983

An office cubicle workspace with a desk, computer, and chair, surrounded by black and beige partition panels.

In 1983, H+B made a pivotal decision—aligning with Teknion Furniture Systems, a premier Canadian manufacturer, to bring innovative, design-driven solutions to our clients.

Cityscape with tall modern buildings and palm trees under a clear blue sky.

1997

To better serve our North American customers, H+B crossed into the U.S. market in 1997 establishing offices in Tampa and Jacksonville, Florida.

The clock tower of the Parliament building in Ottawa, Canada, with a Canadian flag flying on top, against a clear blue sky.

1998

Our journey continued in 1998 with the opening of H+B Ottawa, allowing us to expand our reach into the nation’s capital.

A glass and metal geodesic dome with a Canadian flag attached, visible window reflections, and a blue sky in the background.

1999

One year later, in 1999, we ventured west, launching our Vancouver office—our third Canadian location and fifth in North America.

Design celebrating 50th anniversary with intertwined numbers 50 and circular elements, the words "TH" on top, and "Anniversary Celebration" below.

2025

Celebrating 50 incredible years! H+B is proud to mark half a century of trusted partnerships, bold ideas, and meaningful progress.

Holmes + Brakel remains 100% Canadian-owned, with 100+ employees across North America dedicated to delivering innovative workspace solutions. But we’re not done yet—our journey is far from over. We continue to evolve, grow, and find new ways to better serve our clients.