Rocky's Hardware Chain To Expand In Connecticut With Manchester Commitment

MANCHESTER, CT — A tenant has emerged for the old Smithland pet and garden center in Manchester and it's a familiar name.

Rocky’s Ace Hardware, one of the country’s largest family owned Ace Hardware dealers, Wednesday announced the purchase of its 51st location and third store in Connecticut, joining locations in Vernon and Stamford. The new store, located at the former Smithland's 33 Adams St. location, marks "another milestone in the company’s steady expansion," Rocky's officials said.

Smithland closed in May.

Construction on the Manchester site will begin immediately, and Rocky’s anticipates opening the Manchester store in early March 2026, officials for the chain said.

"We’re thrilled to expand our presence in Connecticut and bring the Rocky’s experience to Manchester," Rocky’s President Rocco Falcone said. "This community-focused location will allow us to continue delivering the exceptional service, quality products and neighborhood feel our customers have trusted for generations."

The new store will offer a full range of Ace Hardware and top-name-brand product lines — including paint, lawn and garden supplies, outdoor living and tools, Rocky's officials said.

A large garden center, measuring approximately 10,000 square feet, will offer a variety of live goods for every season, they added.

With its headquarters in Springfield in Massachusetts, Rocky’s now operates 51 stores across New England, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio.