re: Ace Hardware provides one of the best shopping experiences in 2026 America

Mostly in factory settings, but a few bad cuts out of jobs, too. I started when I was 12 and have the scars on my hands and arms to prove it. Worst one I saw was when a crate of glass was being lifted by a boom when the hydraulics failed. A 4000 lb case of mirror came down partially on a guy. He miraculously lived by some act of God, but he was pretty fricked up for a long time.

Yikes!

How do you avoid it?

I've always been able to get 8' out of a of a 8' board, maybe slightly less, but not 6" less.

ETA: I must have misread your post. Yep, that will definitely happen. Saw's gotta eat, too.

I moved to WNC 1.5 years ago. I have shopped at three difference Ace Hardware stores and each one was a great experience. I am glad to hear that they are all run well; I initially thought it was just a WNC thing.

I don't even think about going to Lowes or Home Depot any more.

The only thing is they do like to spam your email.

I love shopping at the two local Ace’s over Lowe’s or Home Depot just because of the friendliness of the staff. However, I can’t always find what I need, as it is a smaller store with less variety of inventory. I do enjoy they have a propane filler so I don’t have to pay for exchanged bottles.

Stine Lumber in Louisiana is another smaller, more friendly chain that I enjoy.

Folks in this thread will compare Ace to THD and Lowe’s however they are quite different. ACE is a “hardware” store selling the usual hardware items but, because they are locally owned, they usually have some specialty items such as high-end grilling and such. ACE also deals with pros thus their hours are shorter than the big box guys.

THD and Lowe’s are commonly referred to as DIY Home Improvement retailers. The DIY is important to remember when shopping there. You are literally DIY. You should know what you need to do the job without the assistance of an employee. The employees know where things are located and some may have a little knowledge but they are not there to coach you through a repair. That’s where ACE comes in. The helpful folks.

THD and Lowe’s also sell flooring, roofing, lumber and a whole bunch of other stuff unavailable at small hardware stores. They are “home improvement” stores. ACE is a fix it store.

THD and Lowe’s will absolutely crush ACE on same brand products. The local ACE owner is part of a co-op, thus many of their products they have to buy through the co-op wholesaler, pay to use the ACE name and fund co-op activities. They’re at a disadvantage right out of the gate. THD is the 4th or 5th largest retailer in the world. In the world. Anyone wanting to sell to THD will sell their products at very low margins and fund THD through costly marketing and business requirements.

As a manufacturer, you will pay THD to sell in their stores. That’s how it works. If you’re awarded business at THD, it will cost you a minimum of $1,000,000 just for a reset. You will pay an unbelievable amount of fees yearly (10-20%+) and your RTV (return to vendor) will be high. You will absolutely lose money the first couple of years. But, if you survive, it can take your company to unimaginable levels.

Very few American companies can compete for THD business. The margins just aren’t there. The costs to manufacture here versus most other countries is much higher even with tariffs. I will say this though, if THD really wants your name in their stores, then the scenario changes a little. There is a bit more flexibility for a name.

LOVE our Ace. My son is almost 4 and hes been going with me since he was in a carrier. The employees have watched him grow up, and are so kind to him. Its the one store I go in without needing anything and make a point to buy something just to support it.

quote:

---

I’d open a little Ace Hardware

---

Horton's Ace Hardware in LaGrange, Il is one of the coolest hardware stores I've ever been to

That place prints Money.
You can be sure they are almost 10-20% higher than big box stores.
But you can always find someone, they for the most part they can cover almost everything.

Wish I could open one.

Two things.

I’ve passed by the Highland Road store numerous times, and it always looks like the start of a Stephen King novel on the outside. What’s going on inside?

For the gentleman who commented on the change in the jingle, I kind of wonder exactly how many helpful hardware “folks” there actually are that the update was necessary.