Friday, February 9, 2024

[EXCLUSIVE] Local Ace Hardware Operator Goes For Three, Opening OTP

Popular intown Ace Hardware operator Zach Stafford is bringing his business to the burbs.  A newly updated site plan and permits recently filed with Cobb County confirm that a new outpost of Shep's Ace Hardware is coming to Parkaire Landing ( 640 Johnson Ferry Road ), a Kroger-anchored shopping center along Johnson Ferry Road in East Cobb.  

The new Ace is replacing Davita Dialysis in a 6,848 square foot space between Dollar Tree and Pure Barre.  

Stafford currently operates two intown Ace locations including one at SkyHouse South at the corner of 7th and Juniper Streets in Midtown (opened 2015) and another at Larkin on Memorial along Memorial Drive  in Grant Park (opened 2017).   

According to a Cobb County building permit, Stafford plans to spend at least $190,000 converting the former dialysis space to suit his needs. 

Shep's won't be the first Ace in East Cobb.  East Cobb Hardware, also an Ace-affiliated shop, has been an area mainstay since 1955, according to its website.  East Cobb Ace Hardware is located in Shallowford Falls (3162 Shallowford Road), another Kroger-anchored center, about five miles from Shep's, at the intersection of Shallowford and Johnson Ferry Roads.  

2024 marks Ace Hardware's 100th year in business.  Founded in 1924 as "Ace Stores," the company changed its name to "Ace Hardware Corporation" in 1931.  Today Ace Hardware and its independent owners operate 4,000 stores nationwide, including 143 in Georgia, according to the Ace Hardware website.  

Ace Hardware stores are typically found in neighborhood strip centers and cater to communities that may not have a nearby full-service Home Depot or Lowe's but have customers with small household projects to take care of.  Another compelling element of the Ace product mix is their variety of non-hardware products like novelties, toys, gadgets, "As Seen on TV" items, gifts, and more.  

Weber, Craftsman, Toro, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Benjamin Moore, Trager, STIHL, YETI, and Atlanta's Big Green Egg are among the brands carried at most Ace Hardware stores. 

According to a source familiar with the merchant's plans, the hope is to have Shep's Ace Hardware open in East Cobb late this spring.  

Ponce City Market and Buckhead Village District owner Jamestown purchased Parkaire Landing for $42.1 million in early 2018.  In the years since, the center has added several new restaurants including Flying Biscuit Cafe, McCray's Tavern, Gusto, and Crumbl, among others.  

Are you excited about the opening of Shep's Ace Hardware in East Cobb?  Do you think the area can support two Ace Hardware stores so close to each other?  What other types of businesses would you like to see open in East Cobb?

Please share your thoughts below.  

9 comments:

Ham said...

For the average homeowner wanting to take on some small household project a place like ACE is probably a better option than Home Depot. Home Depot focuses on volume and price but drops the ball on customer service. Home Depot treats their employees like crap, under staffs the store and provides little or no employee training. Home Depot does have large quantities and lower prices, so if you need a truck load of PVC pipe choose the Depot if you need a toilet flapper choose ACE.

Anonymous said...

Very little at HD that make me want to patronize them. Ace is the place for me.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Boomer.

Anonymous said...

Glad to see this store front being renovated and leased.

Many years ago, Perkins Ace Hardware was located across from the Kroger- Parkaire Landing. It closed.

They had a great staff, and the only trace of the store is a small road called Perkins Street.


Jay Damoli said...

Need a safe space, snowflake?

Anonymous said...

Nope.
Do you?

Anonymous said...

You’re welcome, Boner!

Anonymous said...

Love, Love our local Ace Hardware in Tucker -Handy Ace. It has EVERYTHING & people who know where that 'thing' is. The employees are kind, helpful & thorough. Sure, it's a bit more pricey than HD or Lowes but you get customer service & guidance!

Anonymous said...

Answer for your Crime against a former employee! (From a friendly advocate.)

This from Next Door:

Whoever's the lady who came to Sheps Ace Hardware at 3:30 for PB blaster, (Penetrating oil) and got me fired for calling a penetrating oil a penetrating oil. Seriously??

I just got canned over you, on my 2nd day, because you misheard something and wanted to be offended. They didn't even give me a chance to explain or anything, just said you got offended and that's all they cared about. Thanks so much, Karen. I'm 23 and paying car loans and student loans, trying my hardest to keep my head above water, and you've upheaved my life for a power trip. There's a special place for people like you."

Sheps should be ashamed of itself.

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