Princess Auto – If you have ever rebuilt a trailer in the driveway, chased down an oddball hydraulic fitting, or talked yourself into a deal you did not technically need, chances are you already know Princess Auto. For nearly a century, this Canadian-owned retailer has been the go-to spot for tradespeople, farmers, weekend mechanics and the famously hard-to-shop-for “guy who has everything.” This guide walks through what Princess Auto sells, where its stores are, how the shopping experience works, and the practical details — hours, returns, gift cards and more — that people actually want to know before they make the drive.
What Is Princess Auto?
Princess Auto is a private, Canadian-owned retail chain that specializes in tools, equipment and surplus goods for people who work with their hands. The company is headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and it now operates a coast-to-coast network of roughly 59 stores across all ten provinces, supported by a National Call Centre and an online store at princessauto.com.
The product mix is what sets it apart. Where a typical big-box hardware store leans on home renovation and lumber, Princess Auto leans into the garage, the shop and the job site. Think air and power tools, hydraulics, welding and metal fabrication gear, automotive repair equipment, truck and trailer parts, safety supplies, and a constantly rotating “surplus” department full of unusual, hard-to-find items at clearance prices. It is the kind of store where you go in for one specific bolt and leave with a hydraulic press, a tarp, and a sausage stuffer you suddenly have strong feelings about.
For many Canadians, Princess Auto fills the same cultural niche that Harbor Freight occupies in the United States — practical, affordable and a little bit of a treasure hunt every visit.
A Canadian Original: The Princess Auto Story
Princess Auto’s roots run deep. The business was founded in Winnipeg in 1933, originally under the name Princess Auto Wrecking, on Princess Street in the city’s historic Exchange District. The early company struggled, and in 1942 it was sold to Harvey Tallman, whose family still owns the business today through third-generation owners Matthew and Marc Tallman.
Tallman expanded the operation from auto wrecking into war surplus, and later into the tools and equipment that define the brand now. The first proper retail store opened in Edmonton in 1977, and the chain grew steadily from there. By 2019, with the opening of its first Quebec location in Saint-Jérôme, Princess Auto finally had a presence in every Canadian province.
That nearly century-long history matters because it shapes the company’s identity. Princess Auto is not a faceless multinational; it is a family-run Canadian retailer that has built loyalty by serving the same kind of customer for generations. The Princess Auto Foundation, the company’s charitable arm, even funnels support toward skilled-trades students at Canadian colleges — a fitting cause for a store that lives and breathes the trades.
What You’ll Find on the Shelves
A Princess Auto store is organized around the way real work gets done, not around tidy home-décor categories. Core departments typically include:
- Air and Power — compressors, air tools, power tools, generators and accessories.
- Automotive Repair and Shop — jacks, stands, lifts, diagnostic gear and shop equipment.
- Hydraulics — cylinders, pumps, hoses and fittings, an area Princess Auto is genuinely known for.
- Metal Fabrication and Welding — welders, plasma cutters, grinders and consumables.
- Tools and Safety — hand tools, storage, PPE, gloves and workwear.
- Truck and Trailer — hitches, wiring, lights, axles and trailer hardware.
- Outdoor and Seasonal — generators, pumps, recreation gear and seasonal goods.
- Surplus — the famous rotating clearance and oddities section.
Many of the house-brand tools carry the Power Fist name, Princess Auto’s own line that delivers solid value at a lower price point than premium brands. For hobbyists and pros who do not need a flagship-priced tool for an occasional job, Power Fist is often the sweet spot.
The Princess Auto Guarantee and Shopping Experience
One reason customers keep coming back is the company’s return philosophy, summed up in a single line: “No sale is final until you’re satisfied.” Under the Princess Auto Guarantee, the company commits to repairing, replacing or refunding a product to the customer’s satisfaction. That kind of low-friction policy gives buyers the confidence to try affordable tools without worrying they are stuck if something does not work out.
The in-store experience leans heavily on staff who actually know the products. Online reviews across locations repeatedly highlight team members who drop what they are doing to track down an obscure part or suggest an alternative. For a store full of specialized gear, that hands-on help is a real differentiator.
In 2026, Princess Auto pushed this experience even further with a brand-new flagship store, which brings us to its hometown.
Princess Auto Winnipeg
Winnipeg is where it all started, and it remains the heart of the company — home to Princess Auto’s head office, its National Call Centre and one of its distribution centres.
In 2026, Princess Auto Winnipeg became the site of the company’s most ambitious project yet. On June 2, 2026, Princess Auto opened a first-of-its-kind, 100,000-square-foot flagship store at 500 Panet Road, described by the company as a major evolution in how it does retail. Rather than a standard warehouse layout, the flagship is built as an experiential destination, with an expanded assortment across recreation, hardware, electrical and plumbing, plus a few features unique to the location.
Standout elements include The Shop — an in-store workspace where customers can test equipment, show off their own projects and even use the space as an auxiliary workshop — and After Hours Support aimed at emergency and time-sensitive trades work. Designed by Winnipeg architects and built largely by local trades, the flagship was celebrated with weeks of community events ranging from motocross shows to parking-lot concerts, with proceeds directed to the Princess Auto Foundation.
For anyone in Manitoba, the Winnipeg flagship is worth a visit even if you have shopped Princess Auto a hundred times — it is a genuinely different format.
Princess Auto Edmonton
Edmonton holds a special place in the company’s history as the home of its very first retail store back in 1977. Today, Princess Auto Edmonton is served by multiple locations on opposite sides of the city, making it convenient for shoppers whether they are north or south of the river.
You will typically find Edmonton stores at addresses such as 11150 163 Street NW in the west end and 9835 34 Avenue NW in the south. Both serve the full range of Princess Auto departments, from hydraulics and welding to surplus, and both have built strong reputations for helpful staff and easy parking. Given the city’s deep ties to the trades, oilfield work and acreage living, Princess Auto Edmonton sees plenty of customers who depend on the store for real, daily working gear rather than the occasional hobby purchase.
Because Edmonton has more than one store, it is always worth confirming which location stocks the specific item you want before heading over — a quick call or an online stock check can save a cross-city trip.
Princess Auto Calgary
Down the highway, Princess Auto Calgary anchors the company’s presence in southern Alberta. The Calgary store at 4143 114 Avenue SE serves the city’s large community of tradespeople, contractors, farmers from the surrounding region and DIYers who appreciate a well-stocked shop within easy reach.
Calgary’s location offers the same broad selection Princess Auto is known for — air and power tools, automotive and shop equipment, trailer hardware, welding gear and that ever-changing surplus aisle. Alberta’s strong base of agriculture, energy and skilled-trades work makes a store like this a natural fit, and Princess Auto Calgary has become a regular stop for anyone outfitting a garage, a farm or a job site. As with any location, hours and stock can vary, so checking ahead is the smart move before a longer drive in from the outskirts.
Princess Auto Saskatoon
In Saskatchewan, Princess Auto Saskatoon serves the central part of the province from its location at 2802 Idylwyld Drive North, a well-known commercial corridor that is easy to reach. For a region built on agriculture, ranching and trades, Princess Auto Saskatoon is a practical lifeline — the place to grab trailer lights before harvest, hydraulic fittings for equipment repairs, or a welder for a winter shop project.
The Saskatoon store carries the same departments as the rest of the chain and offers the same Princess Auto Guarantee, so customers across Saskatchewan get the same confidence in their purchases. Combined with the company’s online ordering and pickup options, even shoppers outside the city limits can take advantage of what Princess Auto Saskatoon has to offer.
Tips for Shopping Smart at Princess Auto
A few insider habits separate seasoned Princess Auto shoppers from first-timers:
- Watch the clearance codes. Longtime customers swear that clearance prices ending in certain digits signal markdowns, and that surplus stock can drop sharply in price the longer it sits. If you spot something you like at a price you are happy with, buy it — that item may not be there next week.
- Check the flyer first. Princess Auto runs regular sales and seasonal promotions through its flyers, emails and social channels. The company has noted that legitimate offers and codes only appear through its own official channels, not third-party coupon sites.
- Lean on Power Fist for value. For occasional or light-duty jobs, the house brand often delivers the best price-to-performance ratio in the store.
- Ask the staff. With such a deep and unusual inventory, knowledgeable team members are one of the store’s biggest assets. If you cannot find something, ask.
Online Shopping and In-Store Pickup
Princess Auto is not just a destination you drive to. The company has been selling online since 1998 and operates as a true omnichannel retailer today, with a buy-online, pick-up-in-store option that became especially popular in recent years.
Orders can be placed at princessauto.com or by phone through the National Call Centre, with payment accepted by credit card, PayPal or Princess Auto gift card. Online orders ship across Canada, and the company periodically runs shipping-savings promotions for larger baskets. Once an order ships, customers receive a tracking number to follow the delivery. For anyone outside easy driving distance of a store, the online channel makes the full Princess Auto catalogue accessible nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Princess Auto open?
Hours vary by location, but most Princess Auto stores open early to suit working customers — commonly around 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays and 9:00 a.m. on Sundays. Because individual stores can differ, always confirm your specific location’s opening time using the store locator on princessauto.com before heading out.
What time does Princess Auto close?
Most Princess Auto locations close around 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with shorter weekend hours — typically closing near 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Holiday hours and individual store schedules can vary, so it is best to check the official website or call your local store to verify closing time on the day you plan to visit.
Does Princess Auto price match?
Princess Auto does not advertise a formal competitor price-match guarantee on its website the way some big-box retailers do. However, the company is widely reported to honour a price adjustment within 30 days if an item you purchased goes on sale during that window, provided you have proof of purchase. On top of that, the Princess Auto Guarantee makes returns and exchanges easy if you are not satisfied. Because policies can change and store discretion may apply, the safest approach is to ask the customer service desk at your local store or call the National Call Centre to confirm current terms before you buy.
Princess Auto gift card — where to buy?
Princess Auto gift cards can be purchased at any Princess Auto store across Canada and online at princessauto.com. The cards are redeemable both in store and online toward merchandise. A few things to note: a gift card has no value until it is purchased and activated, and it cannot be redeemed for cash. They make a reliably popular gift for the tradesperson, mechanic or tinkerer who is otherwise impossible to shop for.
Is Princess Auto dog friendly?
Princess Auto has not published a single chain-wide pet policy, and practices can vary from store to store. Many locations are generally welcoming to leashed, well-behaved dogs, and plenty of customers report bringing their pets along. That said, because it is ultimately at each store’s discretion, it is courteous to call ahead and confirm before bringing your dog. Certified service animals are, of course, permitted under Canadian accessibility law regardless of any general pet policy.
Where is Princess Auto’s head office?
Princess Auto is headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where the company was founded in 1933. Winnipeg is also home to its National Call Centre, one of its distribution centres and, as of June 2026, its new flagship store on Panet Road.
How many Princess Auto stores are there in Canada?
Princess Auto operates roughly 59 stores across all ten Canadian provinces, along with its online store and National Call Centre. The network has been expanding steadily under the company’s third-generation family ownership.
What is the Princess Auto return policy?
Returns are governed by the Princess Auto Guarantee: “No sale is final until you’re satisfied.” In practice, the company commits to repairing, replacing or refunding products so customers are happy with their purchase. Note that certain categories have exceptions — for example, all ammunition sales are final and cannot be returned or exchanged, in line with Canadian regulations.
Does Princess Auto offer online shopping and pickup?
Yes. You can shop the full catalogue at princessauto.com or order by phone through the National Call Centre, with options for home delivery anywhere in Canada or buy-online, pick-up-in-store at participating locations. Payment options include credit card, PayPal and Princess Auto gift cards.
Also read: How to Avoid Trading Losses
Final Thoughts
Princess Auto has earned its place as a Canadian institution by sticking to a simple formula: stock the tools and equipment that working people genuinely need, price them to deliver real value, and stand behind every sale. From its 1933 Winnipeg roots to its 2026 flagship and its stores in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon and beyond, the company keeps serving the same loyal base of tradespeople, farmers, mechanics and hands-on hobbyists.
Whether you are hunting for a hydraulic fitting, outfitting a new garage, or simply enjoy a good wander through the surplus aisle, Princess Auto remains one of the most rewarding stops in Canadian retail. Just remember to check your local store’s hours and stock before you go — and maybe leave a little extra room in the truck.
Store hours, locations, pricing and policies can change. For the most accurate and current details, visit princessauto.com or contact your nearest Princess Auto store directly.