Ace Hardware 5,000th Store

[doubleot]

We just got one in spanish fork Utah. Haven't had a chance or need to stop by but it'll be nice when I need something. Our closest home depot is in Provo about 10-15 miles away. (I know it's not that far)

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[Jim C.]

Most of the Ace Hareware Stores in my area are owned by the same family. The stores are clean, mostly staffed by relatively knowledgeable sales people, and pretty well stocked. Still, I don't shop at Ace too often because their prices are a little high in comparison to Home Depot, Lowes, Menards. That being said, if I ever need an unusual/uncommon fastener, I go to Ace first. Their hareware (nuts, bolts, screws, washers, etc.) selection is top notch.

Jim C.

 

[TractorMechanic]

Got a chance to visit a small Ace that I had been planning to stop at for a good while. While tiny, it is surprisingly well stocked and well run. Had no idea it was that packed with goodies. Nice supply of regular hardware items. They also had quite a number of Craftsman wrenches. I'll have to go back again and find something to purchase.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I was in a Ace hardware today and most of the Craftsman was being Clearanced for Crescent tools. Everything from sockets to pliers and screwdrivers. I don't know if it's all of them though

What store?

 

[jeejay]

Be kind of nice to know where "here" is.

Oh yeah, that's in Tangerang.

 

[M_George]

For electrical and plumbing, I like them better than the Box Stores. They always seem to have everything I need, often better quality. Seems I leave Lowes empty handed better than half the time. Shame to, Lowes is two miles away, and Ace is seven.

 

[kythri]

I dig Ace, but they're noticeably higher priced than the surrounding competition - enough such that it makes better financial sense to drive the 12 miles to the neighboring burg that has a Home Depot and a Lowe's, assuming I already struck-out at the local Wilco.

Their lumber does seem nicer than HD, when they have it in stock.

 

[engineer2]

I just heard of an Ace Hardware in Chicago closing, so it's not all roses. I do like them for oddball stuff even if it is $2 higher than everywhere else.

 

[kythri]

I just heard of an Ace Hardware in Chicago closing, so it's not all roses. I do like them for oddball stuff even if it is $2 higher than everywhere else.

If I'm not mistaken, most Ace stores are independently operated franchise stores, so I wouldn't take a closure as doom and gloom.

 

[engineer2]

I'm not, it's just they might be 4999 now. I'm glad they are holding their own against the big box stores and Amazon. Our local one always has hot cashiers too.

 

[-Brent-]

Out friendly ACE has the highest retail prices on the planet. I go there just to get specialty nuts, bolt, screws, etc.

Quoted for truth. However, they are even higher than our specialty hardware stores, too. We're lucky to have the industrial places but I think most homeowners wouldn't think of going there vs ACE. We've gotten 3 new ACES within a 5 mile radius of my home. I'd love to see them thrive but I can't fathom them lasting more than 5 years.

 

[engineer2]

Ran into an old friend at Ace while she was buying a new lawnmower. They assembled it, put some gas in it, showed her how to start it, operate it, went over maintainance, and loaded it in the car. To her it was worth a few extra dollars for that service.

 

[bonneyman]

Our local Ace has most of what I'm looking for, at high prices, but when I need it, it's there.
Old owners hired a lot of retired guys who knew their ****. One isa nationally known collector of wood planes, and a master woodworker.
New owners got rid of them all, and replaced with a bunch of idiots I think came from Job Corps.
Inventory is still good, but if you call for something you'd better not count on it till you drive in and actually find it yourself.

It's really luck of the draw with experience in Ace stores. Sometimes you get really knowledgeable people. Other times you get people just punching a time clock. Some stores have great hardware inventory - other stores are pushing premium dog food. It really depends on the individual owners.

 

[Rick B.]

Since my local Ace moved to a larger location a few years ago it seem like they don't carry squat anymore. They have more space but less on the shelves. The only thing that expanded was the paint area.

 

[BucksCtyMike]

Think of Ace like you view a 7-11/wawa/any convenience store.

A little more expensive for the basics but conveniently close, conveniently small, conveniently quick.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

More of a True Value fan myself, but that is mostly cuz that is what is local. I shop at one almost weekly, the other few scattered around the county maybe one in a blue moon. There is an Ace about 20 miles away, but the hours are terrible and it doesn't have all that much of a selection, I think I have been in it twice. I avoid Lowe's at all costs, only reason I will go to the local Lowe's is if I need a piece or two of lumber and its after hours for the real lumber yard.

 

[Davefr]

Think of Ace like you view a 7-11/wawa/any convenience store.

A little more expensive for the basics but conveniently close, conveniently small, conveniently quick.

No!! I view Ace as my last hope to getting hard to find stuff locally. The alternative is McMaster, Grainer, MSC. (all much more expensive + shipping).

 

[ezover]

They just sold one in our town to an outfit called Gilroys Got it, same store, different name. I was in it yesterday.

have some gilroys by me, they all seem well run and always helpful.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

For Me; the closest ACE is a 20 mile drive to Fosston, Mn.. The family that owns this store owns several other ACE stores in the area. They operate a real, well stocked hardware store that is staffed by people that know their stuff.. I enjoy doing business with them.

It helps that I drive past this store 2-7 days a week when going to work; but if I need hardware or supplies for a project, I have no negative thoughts about making a special trip.

 

[icthruu74]

Since my local Ace moved to a larger location a few years ago it seem like they don't carry squat anymore. They have more space but less on the shelves. The only thing that expanded was the paint area.

Mine local Ace did the same thing. Except they used to have separate stores for lawn/garden, paint, toys, and hardware. They combined everything into one store that doesn't have the combined square footage of any 2 of the prior stores so a lot of the less commonly sold items were eliminated. But it is the only game in town so if I need something but don't want to drive 30-45mins to get it, I pay the 'Ace premium'

 

[j789139]

Funny thing about this thread, I just came home from Ace,stopped by the on my way home from work.
I needed some stamps and my Ace has a US post office inside,they sell Styl eqt,repair small engines, yeti coolers,make keys,sharpen knives and tools,sell some US made craftsman tools,have free popcorn and coffee.
Best of all they trip over themselves to help you when you come in.
They let my daughters girlscout troop sell cookies out front . Yes they cost a little more,but it is easy in and easy out.
They just have good old fashioned service!
I love it and the local True Value Hdwr in my town!

Funny thing about this thread, I just came home from Ace, stopped by, on my way home from Sears, where, I was seeing lots of "Made in China" Craftsman tools on sale. Your Ace sounds a lot like mine, sans the US post office. They definitely sell USA made craftsman tools. I just picked up a "Made in USA" Craftsman 9 pc. Metric 12 pt. Combination Wrench Set, Model #(9)47045 "Forged in USA V^". They had 2 sets for $29.99/ea; one "Made in China" and one "Made in USA", which I bought. They also have a bunch of "Made in USA" Craftsman screwdriver sets, and hammers as well as "Made in USA" Stanley tools but they say "...with global materials". FWIW, I had another Ace close by that became a True Value but IMHO selection & service have gone down hill, since. No Craftsman.

 

[jake00]

Worked at my local ace in high school, It was the best job for leaning a little about EVERYTHING... best part was we paid almost cost for stuff.

To this day I go to ace when I'm not exactly sure what I need. If I need 200 2x4, then I go to home depo....

 

[az45]

Im in an Ace at least once a week, there's one a mile from my house and about the same from work. I'm usually spending less than 20 bucks, for large purchases I'd go to HD or Lowes. I can park 20 feet from the front door and when I get inside I'm never a 100 feet from what I want. I know where everything is and have a pretty good idea of what they have. I can be in and out of an Ace in less time it takes me to find someone to help at the big stores.

One of the Tucson stores has a huge hardware selection..its 4 times the standard Ace selection.

I'm sure I've spent 20 percent more money, but I've save 80 percent of the time which is more.

There business model seems to be the opposite of everybody elses, quality service and a knowledgeable staff isnt the norm these days.

 

[jeejay]

Which one has these?

 

[j789139]

Which one has these?

OH MY!

 

[dr_clyde]

Mine local Ace did the same thing. Except they used to have separate stores for lawn/garden, paint, toys, and hardware. They combined everything into one store that doesn't have the combined square footage of any 2 of the prior stores so a lot of the less commonly sold items were eliminated. But it is the only game in town so if I need something but don't want to drive 30-45mins to get it, I pay the 'Ace premium'

Are you talking about Hastings by any odd chance?

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Well, I hope we get a real ace store. Right now we have a lumber yard that pretends to be an ace store but they are lacking terribly.

While I've found this to be true for almost everything, I recently realized the Klein tools they carry are up to $10 cheaper than Home Depot, depending on the tool. Other than that I pretty much just get small hardware and paint at Ace. Only a 5 minute drive vs 25-30 to the big box stores.

 

[gordyy]

The local Ace here is an old fashioned nut bolt hardware tool store. its on the second owner in almost an 80 year period! I have been shopping there for almost all of my life. my first tools came from there. you can still get a chisel from the same bin as my first one came from, either wood or cold chisel still carrying the same brand. More expensive than a box store yes but they have it. Do they carry modern up to the minute stuff NO
but they have what they stock almost always on stock. you can always get a wood screw of whatever size you need it might not have the drive head you want ( they still don't carry torque head screws but they will have a straight screwdriver head in any size you need never out). Need a plumbing part always on stock. need an outlet or switch they will have it. And for us in our 60s they don't reset the damn store every week like some of the box stores do if I could find it in 1975 its in the sames place I like that!

 

[icthruu74]

Are you talking about Hastings by any odd chance?

Why yes I am. I hate to mention it, but they were setting up the tents again today. Seems like every time they have a tent sale something I just can't live without follows me home. And I'm still upset I didn't pick up a set of Tekton ratcheting wrenches at the last one.

 

[dr_clyde]

Why yes I am. I hate to mention it, but they were setting up the tents again today. Seems like every time they have a tent sale something I just can't live without follows me home. And I'm still upset I didn't pick up a set of Tekton ratcheting wrenches at the last one.

I also miss the old Hastings ace/true value when it was like, 4 or 5 buildings. They had a way better setup then. When I was a kid, I used to play on the horse at the bottom of the stairs in the tool department while my dad got whatever we were there for. The floors creaked and the place was old and it was great. My mom used to take me to the toy store and let me pick out some legos or a toy tractor. I miss that place.

 

[Rick B.]

Oooooooh.