Ace Hardware Kicks Off Re-Opening Celebration

kicked off its grand re-opening celebration Thursday with a ribbon cutting.

The brought its giant scissors and red ribbon to the store, which . The store was through the summer and .

“It was nice to unlock the door that first day,” said Greg Korte, who owns the store with his brothers, David, Steve and Bruce Korte. Ace has been in business in Temple Terrace for 34 years, and it’s been at its current location for 25.

Chamber members gathered at the entrance Thursday to pose for pictures.

“I can’t tell you how glad we are to have you back,” Chamber President Phil Lentsch told storeowners and employees.

“It’s great to be a part of Temple Terrace,” Greg Korte replied.

Ace Hardware has experienced some headaches because of the fire, but Greg Korte said the state of the economy has had neither a positive nor negative affect on business.

“It hasn’t helped, but it hasn’t hurt,” he said. “The customers just kind of change what they buy.”

When the economy is good, shoppers buy more luxury items. When it’s bad, they do their own home repairs and buy tools and supplies, he said.

Ace’s grand re-opening celebration runs through Sunday with special sales, free popcorn and giveaways. On Saturday, the will perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and there will be a children’s workshop for the first 50 children to paint their own birdhouses. Customers also have a chance to win a gas grill by participating in a $1 raffle, which benefits the Children’s Miracle Network.

Greg Korte said he and his brothers decided the freebie they handed out Thursday should reflect the store’s recent experiences.

“I though it would be appropriate if we gave away smoke alarms,” he said grinning.