Downtown Ace Hardware closing
Losing Daugherty Hardware was bad enough. Now Ace Hardware downtown is closing. The big-box stores cannot compare, and downtown takes another hit. Poop!
Losing Daugherty Hardware was bad enough. Now Ace Hardware downtown is closing. The big-box stores cannot compare, and downtown takes another hit. Poop!
The Spiritual Deli, at 3 W. Superior St., is also closing.
From spiritualdeli.com:
“We regret to inform you that Zeitgeist Arts, LLC has moved to consolidate and is no longer able to subsidize the Spiritual Deli. The Spiritual Deli will close its doors on May 22nd. We are continuing with scaled down weekly classes and specialty classes through May 22nd.”
Big box stores have nothing to do with this closing. The store is profitable. The owner WANTS to close it because he can’t handle running 2 businesses.
Hate to see such a classic leave, but my only issue with the store was that it never seemed to be open when I actually needed something. Whenever possible I buy from local hardware stores, but sometimes it’s difficult when you’re in a pinch (and you usually are).
It’s a good thing the City is buying the NorShor. Maybe they could relocate the hardware store somewhere near the city-owned theatre?
When ignorant, please start a parade.
Rollergirl’s post doesn’t make any sense to me. If the store if profitable, why not hire someone to run it for you? You wouldn’t have to deal with all the day-to-day crap, but you’d still be making money minus what you pay a co-owner/manager. Why kill a business if it’s profitable? Isn’t that the reason TO have a business, and isn’t it hard enough to reach a point of actual profitability? Maybe I’m an idiot when it comes to the business world, but with so many people out of work these days, this could have created at least one job (or two – manager & assistant manager). Either way, I’ll miss it and their always friendly staff.
The other business is in Pike Lake, which is some distance from here, no? Not everyone wants to own multiple businesses in two municipalities as they age. If one will sustain their livelihood, that’s enough.
I guess this leaves us with only Proctor Builders and Campbell’s as hardware stores with knowlegable staff.
@Gwanto: The DNT announcement only cited retirement and wanting to focus on their fireplace store as reasons for the closure. It’s not Rollergirl’s comment that doesn’t make sense.
I didn’t say it was closing BECAUSE of the big-boxes, I said the big-box stores don’t compare, meaning they don’t compare when it comes to service,or convenience re: location,or old-fashioned charm, for that matter. Home Despot is just not as nice a place to shop, that’s all. Sorry if I didn’t make that clear.
PS. Don’t forget to support Marshall Hardware in Lakeside.
I mourned Daugherty’s passing for a long time but have recently fallen in love with Denny’s Ace hardware up Woodland.
I am saddened by this loss. As a downtown business owner we purchase items every week from Ace and love the convenience. Who wants to drive over the hill when you can walk 2 blocks?!
Double Denny’s is nice for several things, and I truly enjoy having in the neighborhood, definitely pay a premium most times.
Gwanto : when you hire someone to run your business, that doesn’t mean it runs itself. You still have to make sure things are going properly, and you are at risk of losing money if not.
Double Denny’s will charge you a buck for a coffee sack that you can get at Alakef for free.
Denny’s is great. It is really helpful to have a store like that right in my neighborhood. If Denny’s doesn’t have it, I don’t need it!
Dang, we at the office are gonna miss this as we work at a downtown business that utilizes Ace Hardware for its needs.
I’ll continue to support Denny’s also. Marshall Hardware is a good store but closed on Sundays? WTF??
Bleh. Sorry. Sheesh.
A few months ago, I called the Daughterty Appliance place and they fixed my dryer in a matter of minutes.
I heartily recommend them.
Daugherty’s Appliance is great. We’ve replaced a washer, dryer, fridge, and dishwasher in the last few years (cripes) and got them all from Daugherty’s. Prices are as good as anywhere, and the service is great.
Brian, I hope you’re saying you got your new appliances from Daugherty’s. At first I thought you were saying you had to replace all of the appliances you bought at Daugherty’s. That would make for an awful endorsement.
Yeah. Good clarification. The new ones were from Daugherty’s. Sometimes i dun’t rite so guud.