Ace Retail Holdings to acquire Carlinville Ace Hardware

Ace Retail Holdings announced that it has agreed to acquire Bishop Ace Hardware, a 13-store chain in central Illinois. Bishop Ace currently owns and operates the Ace Hardware store at 111 East 1st North in Carlinville.

According to Ace Retail Holdings, it will be a seamless transition of ownership, and the Carlinville store will retain its Ace branding, store management, personnel, and the current product mix. It is anticipated the acquisition will be completed on July 28, 2024. Bishop Ace Hardware owns and operates 12 other Ace stores throughout central Illinois. Bishop Ace Hardware owners Lucy Stafford and George Preckwinkle like to say they were literally “born into the hardware business” after their parents founded the business in 1960 in Springfield, with one small, local hardware store. “Our partnership with the Ace brand goes back to 1960. While carrying the Ace brand, the family grew Bishop Hardware from one to 13 stores. We’ve always been eager to adopt new Ace programs, product lines, and technologies to help our store teammates provide the best level of service to our customers and communities,” said Preckwinkle.

Stafford noted, “We’re not just selling hardware, we’re helping customers improve their lives with advice and quality products. Our connection with our customers is deeper than just sales, and Ace Retail Holdings feels the same way. As we hand over the reins, we are confident our shared values will help ensure the continuation of the high level of customer service and community involvement we have always strived for as a family business.”