Merrill Ace Hardware is proud to join in the celebration of Ace Hardware’s 90th anniversary. Founded in Chicago in 1924 by five independent hardware store owners, Ace Hardware has grown into the industry’s largest hardware cooperative.
Today, Ace Hardware has more than 4,850 helpful hardware stores across the globe with approximately 100,000 retail associates, all dedicated to the same “old school” belief that their neighbors will always value service, convenience and quality.
Thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of Ace’s founders, Ace stores across the world are as unique as the communities they serve. Ace retailers embody what it means to be small business owners; they are the pulse of Main Street. Merrill Ace Hardware, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is proud to be a part of the small business landscape in Merrill and prides itself on Ace Hardware’s commitment to the community, in cities and towns across the globe.
“There is something extraordinary about being part of an organization that is rooted in its core values from nearly a century ago, yet is still leading the industry in all aspects of the business,” said Merrill Ace Hardware owner Tim Haight. “Ace’s bedrock values, commitment to service and industry-leading growth are the very reasons we were attracted to join the Ace family in 2004.”
Ace’s presence in Merrill actually goes back 55 years, when the Howland hardware store – founded in 1903 – became Howland’s Ace Hardware in 1959. The business was purchased in 2004 by Tim and D’Lacey Haight, who have continued the Ace tradition for the past 10 years.
Tim, who formerly managed the Tomahawk Ace Hardware, has been working with Ace for 19 years. He said he appreciates the Ace philosophy of being committed to the communities they serve.
“I like being involved in the community and developing relationships with the customers,” he said.
Being an Ace store puts Merrill Ace in a position to serve the community.
“Ace works hard at helping you be competitive with buying, but be flexible to meet the needs of the community,” Tim said.
The Haight’s take the Ace slogan, “The Helpful Place,” seriously.
“Still today, what Ace prides themselves in most, and what we pride ourselves in, is that we’re the helpful place,” Tim said.
Ace Hardware has been number one in customer satisfaction for seven years in a row, ever since J.D. Powers began rating home improvement stores.
“Customer service is why Ace has been around so long,” Tim said. “You can have the best of everything else, but if you don’t have the best customer service, you’re not going to do as well. We have to treat people like our neighbors.”
Ace also encourages and supports its local stores’ efforts to give back to the community. As a corporation, Ace supports the Children’s Miracle Network. Merrill Ace Hardware raises funds and makes annual donations to the Merrill Food Pantry, and helps local non-profit groups with fundraisers.