ACO Stores Begin Clearance Sales

Posted by Joni Hubred-Golden

A "Total Inventory Blowout Sale" starting Jan. 8 at ACO Hardware stores, including the stores on Mack and Harper in St. Clair Shores, signals the retail chain's decision to join Ace Hardware, the nation’s largest hardware cooperative.  

Headquartered in Farmington Hills, ACO currently has 52 stores, all of which are located in Michigan. The company was founded in 1946 as Traskos Brothers Hardware Depot in Dearborn and currently employs about 850 associates, according to a press release issued Tuesday. 

The transition to Ace will take place over a 6-month period, at which point all stores will have reopened as Ace Hardware branded stores. According to the release, ACO was drawn to Ace Hardware for many reasons, "most notably for its world-class distribution network, wholesale buying power and award-winning brand."

“Last year, we committed to our customers that we would invest and grow our business,” said Mark VandenBerg, ACO Hardware's CFO. “After months of research and due diligence, we are confident we have selected the best organization with which to align and grow. Ace Hardware offers our stores a world class brand, top notch merchandise opportunities and a supply chain network second to none.”

VandenBerg also stated that ACO will operate the new Ace Hardware stores under the name Great Lakes Ace, as part of its continuing commitment to Michigan consumers.

In addition to the Farmington Hills store, located on Orchard Lake Road just north of 13 Mile, the following stores will also offer inventory sell-out deals:

• Auburn Hills
• Brighton
• Center Line
• Clarkston
• Clawson
• Clinton Township
• Highland
• Lake Orion
• Macomb
• Milford
• Port Huron
• Rochester Hills
• Roseville
• Royal Oak
• St. Clair Shores (2)
• Shelby Township
• Southfield
• Sterling Heights
• Union Lake
• Warren (3)
• Waterford (2)

The remaining ACO locations will be part of a second transition cycle, with dates of the sale and conversion of the stores to the Ace Hardware brand yet to be announced.