New Ace Hardware store opens in Sylvania

Jay Jenkins, a sales clerk, right, helps Janice Masters, of Sylvania, find the correct items for her new flag pole Thursday afternoon at Ace Hardware in Sylvania. KATIE RAUSCH Enlarge

The building that houses the new Ace Hardware store in downtown Sylvania has had a colorful history. It was once a bowling alley, Ace Hardware owner Nick Redfield said.

Before that, it was pharmacy twice and the current parking lot was where the old Sylvania Police Station stood before the new one was built.

“I’m finding all sorts of interesting things out,” Mr. Redfield said.

Since the building was used commercially in the past, he said there wasn’t much renovation to do to prepare the space for the current venue.

“We didn’t have to do much to the building,” he said. “It was basically just a big, empty box and that’s what we were looking for.”

On the corner of Main and Monroe Streets, the store is also appealing to customers by staying open until 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, which is later than most retailers in the immediate area.

“We’re hoping to get more people in later in the evening. We’re not seeing a lot of traffic in the last hour of the day, but between 5 and 7 p.m., we still get a fair amount of business,” Mr. Redfield said. He said he hopes that by staying open in the evenings, it will be “more convenient for customers.”

Part of the allure of having the store in its existing location is because Monroe Street is such a highly traversed street.

“I’ve been driving through Sylvania for 15-18 years and it’s a very nice town. I decided that was the place. It’s a nice, high-traffic corner,” he said, adding that there aren’t many “big box” stores in the immediate vicinity.

Mr. Redfield also said that in the nearly two months that the store has been open, business has been proceeding smoothly.

“We’ve had 6,000 customers so far,” he said. “And we have 1,000 people who have joined our rewards club, and we’ve only had the doors open for seven weeks.”

He said Sylvania customers can expect great service when they visit the location.

“I know what we’re planning to offer is very fair, competitive prices and a whole lot of service. The Ace motto is “The Helpful Hardware Place and we intend to live up with that.”

The new store, which had a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, is located at 5619 Main St.

Contact Kelly McLendon at kmclendon@theblade.com or 419-206-0356.