Valley Ace Hardware in Westcliffe, Colo., is one of two to win the Coolest Store on the Planet award, Ace Hardware recently announced.
Ace of the South in Gardendale, Ala., is the other recipient of the award.
“Everything we do here is a display, so customers can see it," said Jeremy Handy, co-owner of Valley Ace Hardware, according to a release from Ace Hardware. "So they can feel it. And if they can enjoy what they are seeing in our store, I hope that they can enjoy it day-after-day in their home."
Valley Ace Hardware has been locally owned and operated since 1995, according to the release.
“We're not just a hardware store," co-owner Sarah Handy said. "Our vision and mission surrounds the idea of developing the community, developing our staff. The possibilities are endless. And that’s’ what’s awesome about owning an Ace store.”
In the summer of 2021, Valley Ace Hardware started a workshop program that teaches children in the community about chickens, bees and gardening, according to the release.
Prioritizing interaction is key for the store's customers and children from the community through the store, the owners said in the release.
“I think the key to having a cool store is constantly changing,” Sarah Handy said. “The store that you see today is not going to be the same store you’re going to see in 10 years.”
Ace Hardware has increased its total stores in the U.S. by 104 since 2020, and now has 5,583 stores worldwide, according to the release.