Intown Ace Hardware Sees Incoming Walmart as '800-Pound Gorilla'

North Decatur's popular Intown Ace Hardware received some national press this week in The Huffington Post.

Among the highlights are store owner Dave Jones' thoughts on the incoming Walmart in Suburban Plaza. From the story:

"They are the 800-pound gorilla and I am a little flea, and they don't care," he added. "We will continue to expand into areas to attract customers who are not Walmart shoppers."

Already Jones is thinking of ways to out-maneuver the giant retailer when it likely opens next year. Jones said his strategy will not be to compete on the prices of basic goods, like a bag of fertilizer or storage containers. Instead, he said, he'll offer niche products. If Walmart offers basil, for example, Jones pointed out that he offers 10 different kinds of the herb -- plus the customer service to tell customers how and where to plant it.

It's a great, detailed story about how this popular business, particularly among Medlock residents and Decatur families, has managed to stay afloat amid heavy, heavy, big box competition.

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