Ace Hardware is an American hardware retailer founded in 1924. It is a subsidiary of the Ace Hardware Corporation, which is owned by the Cotter family. Ace Hardware is one of the largest hardware retailers in the United States, with over 4,700 stores in 50 states.
The Ace Hardware Corporation is a hardware cooperative based in Oak Brook, Illinois. The corporation is owned by approximately 4,700 independently owned and operated Ace stores in the United States and 60 other countries. The cooperative provides marketing, purchasing, logistics, and operational support services to its members.
Ace Hardware was founded in 1924 by Richard Hesse and Oscar Fisher in Chicago, Illinois. The first Ace store was located on the city’s west side.
In 1931, the company expanded to include a second store on the city’s south side. By 1940, Ace had grown to include nine stores in the Chicago area.
In 1946, Ace was purchased by Richard E. Cotter, who became its president. Cotter expanded Ace’s operations to include new stores in Wisconsin and Iowa.
In 1955, Cotter moved Ace’s headquarters to Oak Brook, Illinois. Under Cotter’s leadership, Ace became a national retailer with stores in all 50 states.
The Cotter family has continued to own and operate Ace Hardware since 1946. Today, there are over 4,700 Ace stores across the United States and 60 other countries worldwide.
