News From ACE – The "Helpful Place"

The most celebrated "helpful place" celebrated a grand re-opening June 21st to 24th in Wikwemikong, Ontario. Andy’s TRU Hardware is now Andy’s Ace Hardware Store and offers the company’s unique blend of personal, knowledgeable and helpful service paired with quality home maintenance expertise and products to the community.

Andy’s Ace Hardware is owned and operated by the Manitowabi family. James Manitowabi and his 5 siblings took over the operations after their father Andrew retired in 1997. "We were all put in charge of a different department," explained James. Today, he is responsible for grocery, hardware and general merchandise; sister Jennifer is the office and administrative manager; and niece Shannon is the general manager.

"They are a great family," said Remi Bourgeois, district manager for Ace Canada. "They are deeply respected in the community. Customer service is their focus and their customers are loyal to them because of that."

Wikwemikong is located at the eastern end of Manitoulin Island, the largest fresh water island in the world. The store has served the community since Andrew opened the business in 1966.

The 10,000 square foot store is packed with thousands of essential products and supplies, including some of the most respected brand names and best-selling items to help people take care of their homes. This store has a unique blend of hardware, grocery and general merchandising items to help serve the community.

The grand opening festivities were kicked off on June 21st in conjunction with Aboriginal Day. Activities included a BBQ; cake and coffee for customers; as well as a sidewalk sale.

Another grand opening was celebrated June 22nd to June 24th. Huron Bay Co-op Teeswater is now Teeswater Ace Country & Garden. The new location, at 29 Clinton St, offers the company’s unique blend of personal, knowledgeable and helpful service paired with quality home maintenance expertise and products to the community.

The new store is owned by the Huron Bay Co-operative; they purchased the former Teeswater grocery store in 2016 and have renovated to be the new Teeswater Ace Country & Garden Store. "We’re excited about this new store, it will rejuvenate the village," said Brent Bowen, store manager. "This store has an increased product selection from the former location and that’s just what’s needed for this community."

The 5,000 square foot store is packed with thousands of essential products and includes a unique blend of hardware, farm supplies, seasonal and pet. This new store is three times the size of the previous location.

"It will be an awesome addition to the business section of Teeswater," said Ivan Steele, Business Development Manager, Ace Canada. "It is a one-stop-shop and will enhance the downtown core."

For 90 years, Ace Hardware has been known as the place with the helpful hardware folks in thousands of neighborhoods globally, providing customers with a more personal kind of helpful. With more than 5,000 hardware stores locally owned and operated around the globe, Ace is the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world. In Canada, RONA inc., a wholly owned Lowe’s subsidiary, has the master license agreement for the Ace brand. Ace Canada is proud to be part of Lowe’s Canadian businesses, which together operate or service more than 600 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners. For more information on Ace in Canada, visit www.ace-canada.ca.