Ace Hardware is Nearly Ready to Re-Open

Today, stands in stark contrast to the way it looked in June after a fire destroyed much of the building.

Twisted plastic and charred chunks of merchandise have been replaced with new shelves, a new floor, new lighting and all-new inventory.

“It’ll be like a new store,” said Greg Korte, who is one of four brothers that own the business on 56th Street.

Since the , Ace Hardware has been rebuilding, installing shelves and putting orders together, said assistant manager Matt Gray.

Both the interior and exterior have been repainted, and the floor looks better than ever before.

“The floor — they grinded it down, and they sealed it to kind of give it that polished, wet look,” Gray said.

Inventory began coming in last week, and much of it is already on the shelves.

“I think we’re about halfway through merchandising, and it seems like it’s going on schedule,” Gray said.

He said the store should open on Oct. 1, or maybe even a few days prior. A grand re-opening celebration is being planned for November.

Once Ace Hardware is back in business, customers will notice a few changes. The checkout counter has been moved to the right side of the entrance in order to make more room for the grilling section. There will also be more items for sale in each department, Gray said. The bird section, for example, already has more bird feeders and birdseed than it did before.

Don’t worry, though. The store is keeping the popcorn machine and its pet fish, Eugene, who has found a temporary home with one of the assistant managers.

“She’s taking good care of him,” Gray said.

On Thursday, employees worked in the aisles, stocking shelves and moving merchandise. Jonathan Kenny and Courtney Cook made sure hardware was in the right place. They worked at the Temple Terrace Ace before the fire and moved to other Ace stores while the Temple Terrace store was being renovated.

“It’s been a strange summer,” Kenny said.

At the front of the store, Korte worked near the checkout counter. He said he’s looking forward to being back in business.

“I’m excited,” he said. “After three months of sitting in an un-air-conditioned office planning — yeah, this is the exciting part.”

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Temple Terrace Ace Hardware encouraged customers to visit its Facebook page to learn more about the progress it's making.

It's also hiring a part-time sales associate and a part-time cashier. Anyone who is interested can stop by the store for an application or email Beth Gray at beth.acehardware@gmail.com.