Ace Retail Holdings to expand Midwest footprint
Ace Retail Holdings is acquiring an affiliated Illinois hardware chain.
The Ace Hardware Corporation division will acquire Bishop Ace Hardware, a 13-store chain in central Illinois. The company says it will be a “seamless” transition of ownership and the 13 stores will retain their Ace branding, store management, personnel and current product mix. The acquisition is expected to be completed on July 28.
“Bishop Ace Hardware has always placed a priority on making sure that customers throughout Illinois are provided with the products, support, and world-class service that is the cornerstone of the Ace brand,” Joe Jeffries, president and CEO of Ace Retail Holdings. “Their passion for the hardware business has created a tradition of excellence that is truly inspiring. It is an honor to continue their legacy.”
Bishop Ace Hardware owns and operates the following Ace stores throughout central Illinois:
- Carlinville (111 East 1st North)
- Chatham (1200 North Main)
- Dwight (104 Watters Dr.)
- Havana (207 West Main St.)
- Hillsboro (300 Springfield)
- Jacksonville (900 West Morton St.)
- Lincoln (521 North Kickapoo)
- Normal (204 East College)
- Pittsfield (901 West Fayette St.)
- Pontiac (203 East Livingston)
- Springfield (214 North Walnut St. and 1600 Wabash Ave.)
- Taylorville (1713 Spresser)
“Our partnership with the Ace brand goes back to 1960,” said George Preckwinkle, co-owner and Bishop Ace Hardware. “While carrying the Ace brand, the family grew Bishop Hardware from one to 13 stores. We’ve always been eager to adopt new Ace programs, product lines, and technologies to help our store teammates provide the best level of service to our customers and communities.”
Buikema's Ace Hardware, Dennis Company Ace, Great Lakes Ace Hardware, Outer Banks Ace, and Westlake Ace Hardware are all wholly-owned subsidiaries of Ace Retail Holdings.
Ace Hardware is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world with over 5,700 locally-owned and operated hardware stores in approximately 60 countries.