Ace Retail Holdings announced Thursday, May 9th, its agreement to acquire Bishop Ace Hardware, a 13-store chain in central Illinois. Bishop Ace currently owns and operates three Ace Hardware stores in Sangamon County, one in Chatham (1200 North Main) and two in Springfield (214 N. Walnut Street and 1600 Wabash Avenue).
Lucy Stafford and George Preckwinkle, owners of Bishop Ace Hardware, have a strong family connection to the hardware business, dating back to their parents founding the business in 1960 in Springfield. Preckwinkle said, “Our partnership with the Ace brand goes back to 1960. While carrying the Ace brand, the family grew Bishop Hardware from one to 13 stores. We’ve always been eager to adopt new Ace programs, product lines, and technologies to help our store teammates provide the best level of service to our customers and communities.”
Stafford added, “We’re not just selling hardware, we’re helping customers improve their lives with advice and quality products. Our connection with our customers is deeper than just sales, and Ace Retail Holdings feels the same way. As we hand over the reins, we are confident our shared values will help ensure the continuation of the high level of customer service and community involvement we have always strived for as a family business."
“It’s been a privilege to serve so many Illinois communities over the past decades and we feel confident that Ace Retail Holdings is the perfect fit to continue serving our communities well into the future. Ace is truly The Helpful Place,” she concluded.
Ace Retail Holdings plans for a smooth change of ownership, keeping the stores' Ace branding, management, staff, and product mix intact. The acquisition is expected to be finalized on July 28 this year.
Bishop Ace Hardware also owns and runs 10 other Ace stores across central Illinois:
Carlinville (111 East 1st North)
Dwight (104 Watters Dr.)
Havana (207 West Main St.)
Hillsboro (300 Springfield)
Jacksonville (900 West Morton St.)
Lincoln (521 North Kickapoo)
Normal (204 East College)
Pittsfield (901 West Fayette St.)
Pontiac (203 East Livingston)
Taylorville (1713 Spresser)
Joe Jeffries, president and CEO of Ace Retail Holdings, remarked, “Bishop Ace Hardware has always placed a priority on making sure that customers throughout Illinois are provided with the products, support, and world-class service that is the cornerstone of the Ace brand. Their passion for the hardware business has created a tradition of excellence that is truly inspiring. It is an honor to continue their legacy.”
Headquartered in the Kansas City area, Ace Retail Holdings is a division of Ace Hardware Corporation.
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