Open a little over a year, Ace Hardware is located directly across the street from Vons on North Sierra Madre Boulevard in Pasadena and is a member of the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry. The company began as a small chain of stores in 1924, and since then has expanded to more than 4,600 stores in 50 states and over 70 countries. Each location is independently owned and tailored to servicing the hardware needs of its local community.
“We’re known for providing everything that customers need for do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvement projects,” said store manager Kevin Harris, who oversees the new location in Pasadena. “If you want to paint a room in your house, we carry different brands of paint such as Kensington and Valspar, in addition to brushes and other tools. If you’re unsure about what color paint you need, you can scrape some off your wall and bring it in and we’ll find its match on our machine.”
Also known as “The Helpful Place,” Ace Hardware has multiple departments, ranging from plumbing, electrical and lighting to kitchenware, garden, auto and more—to ensure that all of its customers’ needs are met. Its grills are among its best sellers, and the store carries a wide range of brands including Blackstone, Weber, and more. For any grill purchase of more than $399, the store will provide free delivery to homes within a seven to 10-mile radius.
In the Lawn and Garden department, Ace Hardware recently added STIHL, the top-selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in the country, to its line of inventory. It sells everything from blowers and hedge trimmers to chainsaws, and another popular line is EGO—cordless tools powered by the ARC Lithium Battery technology.
The store also has a holiday section, which includes a wide assortment of ornaments, artificial trees, Christmas lights and other décor. Ace Hardware also offers the option to order items online and then pick them up in-store.
Harris oversees a staff of 15 store associates and is planning to bring on more, as business is expanding quickly. He was quick to acknowledge how important his team is to the success of Ace Hardware.
“We have a very knowledgeable staff, without them the store wouldn’t be where it is,” said Harris. “My team is wonderful, and they know everything about all of our products and services.”
In addition to its retail offerings, Ace Hardware also offers services such as in-store key copying and screen door repair. All customers need to do is bring in the door that needs to be fixed and the team at Ace Hardware will measure it and replace the screen, then call when it’s ready to be picked up. Being a DIY-focused store, it doesn’t provide recommendations for general service contractors, but does provide all of the materials and basic supplies that customers need in order to complete home projects. On Ace Hardware’s website, there are also DIY videos for customers who want to learn everything from how to create faux crown molding to how to paint an ombre dresser.
But above all, customer service is what truly sets Ace Hardware apart from other places. Whenever a customer walks through the door, they are promptly greeted by a store associate who will offer assistance in order to help them achieve their goals.
“Customer service is our number one priority,” said Harris. “We’re one-on-one with customers, we’ll listen to what they need, take them step-by-step through everything, and make sure they’re satisfied when they leave. We make sure we give good customer service so that people will come back and shop here again.”
Ace Hardware is located at 60 N. Sierra Madre Blvd. in Pasadena and is open Mon. – Fri. from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sat. from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sun. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (626) 789-2005 or visit acehardware.com
Ace Hardware Business Spotlight appeared in the print edition of the South Pasadena Review on 11.16.18. Support Local Business.
