By Mary O’KEEFE

Ace Hardware will be opening its doors on Dec. 17 with a grand opening tentatively scheduled for Feb. 14, 2020.

The highly anticipated opening of the La Crescenta Ace Hardware at 3100 Foothill Blvd. will fill the space vacated when OSH – Orchard Supply Hardware –  closed its doors about a year ago. The new Ace Hardware location is owned by Ace Retail Holdings, based in the Kansas City area.

“The company owns Ace stores in several communities throughout the country. Ace Hardware Corporation is a retailer-owned cooperative, meaning that all stores that carry the Ace name worldwide (most of which are locally owned and operated) are members of the cooperative. Ace cooperative members range in size from single stores to multi-store operations,” said Tom Mentzer, Ace Hardware spokesman.

When OSH closed its doors many in the community voiced their concerns about the future of the store’s longtime employees. Mentzer said their company continues to strive to be the best, most helpful hardware stores, which includes being the retailer of choice for people to work and to shop.

“We believe our store associates are our greatest asset. We respect team members’ uniqueness, talents and strengths and try to help them achieve their career aspirations,” said Mentzer. “The backbone of our success is the hard work and contribution of each associate because they are empowered to do the right thing for our customers, encouraged to think outside the box, and expected to share ideas and help create solutions,” he said. “In our stores, the customer is our number one priority. We strive to provide a welcoming atmosphere where they are greeted with a friendly and knowledgeable team member who is ready to assist them with all of their needs.”

The former OSH location seemed to be a perfect fit for Ace Hardware. It gives the community a “neighborhood retail hardware option” Mentzer said.

Knowing how active the community of Crescenta Valley is the company plans to be involved with local organizations and community leaders including joining the CV Chamber of Commerce. Its membership was approved by the chamber on Wednesday morning.

  Mary Okeefe