Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware Soundex Code A200
Ace Hardware was founded in 1924 by Richard Hesse, E. Gunnard Lindquist, Frank Burke, and Oscar Fisher in Chicago. Ace Hardware, incorporated in 1928 as Ace Stores Inc., was founded to provide a centralized purchasing organization to supply the founders' and members' stores.
The company was named after the ace fighter pilots of World War I, who were able to overcome all odds. Its retail network expanded to hundreds of dealers by 1949, when annual sales reached about $10 million.
After Richard Hesse retired in 1973, Ace was sold to its retailers, becoming a cooperative, and the headquarters moved to suburban Oak Brook.
Independent owners became dealer-owners and shareholders in the company. Because it is a co-op and not a franchise, each Ace Hardware store looks different. Ace has placed a focus on Ace stores exhibiting some similar characteristics, such as signaled and core product lines.
The Vision 21 program, as this is called, is aimed to make all stores look recognizable as an Ace Hardware.
Ace Hardware's long-time slogan “The helpful hardware place” was been replaced by “The helpful place.” Another change came when its longtime jingle—"Ace is the place with the helpful hardware man"—was modified with the more gender-neutral "folks" replacing "man".
From 1974 to 1978 Connie Stevens and from 1979 to the early 1980s Suzanne Somers did TV commercials for Ace Hardware. Much of their advertising since 1987 featured John Madden, a former National Football League coach and announcer. In some commercials, he uses football quotes.
Home improvement expert Lou Manfredini served as Ace's "Helpful Hardware Man" and media spokesperson.
Ray A. Griffith is the President and CEO of Ace Hardware Corporation and has served in that position since taking over for Dave Hodnik in 2005. Dave Hodnik had served as Ace's leader since 1996. David S. Ziegler once served as Chairman of the Board. Ace Hardware Corporation does over $3 billion in hardware sales annually and had $12.5 billion in retail sales during 2007.
Ace Hardware Store(s) in Rogers Park
Part of the store was the Habman Funeral Home, 6959 N. Clark Street.
The long-term owner was Ray van Heck.
Ace Hardware Store(s) in West Ridge
Photos
RPWRHS photo C006-0104 shows the Ace Hardware, 6955 N. Clark Street, Sunday, May 30, 1982. The part shown was once the Habman Funeral Home, 6959 N. Clark Street. No date given. See RPWRHS photo H037-0101.
