The first Compucentre stores were actually free-standing kiosks in shopping malls. The first was opened in Montreal in 1976 and was soon joined by three other Compucentre kiosks, all selling calculators and TV games. The Compucentre kiosks were the first outlets specializing in selling "advanced consumer electronics" as they were then called, and always drew a crowd. In 1977, after a visit to Apple Computer/Steve Job's garage in California, Compucentre introduced the Apple computer to Canada! Being first to market exciting and innovative new products is a tradition Compucentre maintains today. In the early days, the stores were company owned but before the 1970's were over it became clear to Harry Hart, president of Hartco Enterprises, that local ownership was required. By 1982, after spending two years researching the franchising concept, Hart decided that all existing and future Compucentre stores would be franchised to local owner operators, with a vested interest in offering the latest products in a professional manner at competitive prices. The first owner operator to sign on was Charles Lui who purchased the existing Compucentre store at Bay and Bloor in Toronto. Today, there are Compucentre stores in most major shopping malls from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, and all the way up in the NorthWest Territories.

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