Things have changed since this store reopened years ago. I was excited that my town was keeping an Ace store, but every time I go in I'm always walking out empty handed. I remember going to the store to have a simple key made. After the kid made the three identical keys for me, I noticed that one key was way off pattern. I showed the kid and tried explaining to him that this key was not the correct pattern; comparing the original, two correct duplicates, and the third messed up key. He looked at me and said "why don't you just try it and see if it works." Long story short and a wasted trip, knowing this key wouldn't work, I returned to the store. The three kids sitting around the table scoffed when I returned, needing to have the key remade. I'm a young guy, but I felt like some old geriatric man teamed up against a bunch of kids. It was clear that I was angry, but the children working that day only cared about sitting around on their phones drawing a pay check.
I always try to support local businesses, but at this point I don't even waste my time shopping here. Last week I visited to find a simple self drilling screw. I knew better. The hunt continued for a long time until I finally gave up. The store (specifically the nuts and bolts isle) looks like it's been turned upside down. Screws in the wrong bins, more empty pegs than stocked items. Thrift stores are more organized than this hardware store.
I really hate seeing this place in this condition. It's clearly ran by absent management and staffed by kids who couldn't care less about helping customers and keeping the store organized. read more