Ace has been the helpful place in South Milwaukee for decades, but the stalwart hardware store is closing its doors.
“Basically, we’ve got to be out of here by December,” Store Manager Ron Buckner told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He didn’t have a firm closure date but estimated the store will likely shut down in mid-November.
A store closing sale, offering between 10% and 30% off most items, started in early August. This sale, along with additional ones, will continue over the next few months. The store has already been removed from the acehardware.com location finder.
Despite the storewide discounts, the South Milwaukee Ace, 1009 Marquette Ave., is still bringing in stock of its top selling items and the store will do special orders for customers ― though no discounts are offered on the latter.
Why is the South Milwaukee Ace Hardware store closing?
The store’s lease is expiring and issues with the landlord have led the South Milwaukee Ace to merge with the larger St. Francis location at 3050 E. Layton Ave. ― including bringing over all employees, Buckner said.
“Nobody’s losing a job,” Buckner said, noting the South Milwaukee location employs around a dozen people.
Buckner said the building in South Milwaukee is plagued by roof leaks, numerous basement floods and needed replacements of the furnace, boiler, air conditioning and more.
“It’s an old building, unfortunately, plus (the landlord) wants to raise rent,” Buckner said. “All that combined together it’s not worth it for us (to stay open).”
Buckner clarified it’s not a foot traffic issue; he said business has remained solid overall with enough to keep the store going.
“It’s a shame. We love the community, don’t get me wrong,” Buckner said. “There’s been an Ace here for 20, 25 years or more. Most of the people understand why we’re leaving, (but) they’re not happy we’re leaving.”
The South Milwaukee Ace Hardware has a loyal local following
While getting an oil change recently, Buckner said someone recognized him, yelling, “Hey, Mr. Ace Hardware!” Buckner said it’s those relationships that set Ace apart from the big box hardware stores.
“I just want to say thank you very much to the entire community,” he said. “I’ve got so many relationships built … We know each other by name, by face. It’s a great community. We love them and it’s definitely going to be a loss.”
Despite this, Buckner is hopeful the loyal customer base will stick with Ace.
“People can come see us 2 miles up the road,” Buckner said. “It’s a beautiful newer store; we’ll have the same smiley faces up there. You’ll get the same service in a bigger, better building.”
Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: South Milwaukee Ace Hardware to close, all employees will move to St. Francis location
Reporting by Erik S. Hanley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
