Sunday October 5th

Lots of progress has been made todate. Most of the merchandise is in and put away. Next Tuesday we will receive a fill-in truck. Harry has been busy hooking up the cameras and completeing all the challenging projects that I can throw at him. The whole staff has been doing a great job following the ACE plan-o-grams and getting everything into the right spot. Staring Monday we will be "tweeking" the areas that need it.

SIGNS ARE UP !!

The signs were installed earlier this week and ever since we have had a steady stream of people coming to the door. We posted a sign telling them that we will be open on Oct 2oth... Please come back!

This is the sign over the door. Our entrance is recessed with two smaller stores on either side. My store fills in behind theirs.


We also put up all the aisle and department signs, which really makes a big difference.

This is a view of the "Tool Corral" that we created up front next to the checkouts.

This is the paint mixing counter and the Benjamin Moore and ACE paint color chip racks. We (Harry) also set up the color matching computer. Most of the paint has also been set up on the shelves behind.

This center open area will house many seasonal items like Christmas trees, gift ideas and pallets of lawn clean up bags in the Fall and patio sets and Bar-B-Ques in the spring and summer.

This is what the center of the store looked like after we received one of the 5 trucks. The staff was great at breaking it down and getting it into the aisles to put away, most of it was gone within 5 hours.

LOTS TO REPORT !!

Sunday Sept 21

Great progress has been made in the past week. As you can see in the pictures we have our offices and the break room all set up. Just about all the "profiling" has been done, that's where we put up the shelves and peg hooks according to the plan-o-gram from ACE. This past week we received two semis full of stock and have made good progress in putting it on the shelves....

(Bills office on top, Harrys below)

As you can see here we also received and set up the checkout counters and the service center counters. The electrical has also been dropped to these counters. This past weekend the phone and sound system was installed so we now have phones scattered throughout the store....

We are also pleased that our new entrance doors and entrance mat have been installed.

This is the Custom Frame counter. The wall behind it will be covered with a grey carpet to hold the frame samples.

As of Saturday Sept 13

All shelving units are up & most of the "renovation" work is done...

I know it's been a while since my last update here but until now there wasn't much to show. This past Wednesday two trucks of fixtures were delivered. Thursday the crew arrived to set them up. The crew of seven assembled all the shelving in 1 1/2 days, they were a pleasure to watch (see pics below). Also on Thurs. the computer company came to start the installation setting up our main server and a work station. In addition we are able to get to the internet via a wireless laptop and the painters put the finish coat on the walls.

Next Tuesday the first of six trucks of merchandise will be delivered, with two each week. Monday some of the new staff will start. So far everything is coming together nicely. Many comments from people in the area basically saying...

" they can't wait to have a hardware store back"

My New Neighbors

My new ACE Hardware couldn't be in better company. Not only is The Corners Shopping Center one of the best looking shopping centers in the area it also has some great retailers. I will be joining Honey Baked Ham, Borders Books, TUX, TJ Maxx, Penzeys Spices, Game Stop, Sues Hallmark, Oreck Vacumns, Cellular Advantage AT&T, Street Corner Music, Tavern on 13- a Matt Prentice restaurant, and last but not least is Suburban Sports. Suburban Sports is owned and operated by Howard Roff.

Howard has been in the sporting goods business for over 38 years, His store is a favorite stop for all the local teams for equipment and custom made uniforms. Howard is also the best place in the area to sharpen all kinds of skates. Howards' store is right out my front door .

Update - August 15, 2008

It's not much to look at but great progress is being made since last we reported. Drywall is all hung and taped. The floor is in the process of having the old tile adhesive removed - that's the floor sander. Next week the new front doors are scheduled to be installed and the painter will be in to start. The existing ceiling grid is in great shape and the new ceiling tiles will be arriving shortly.

The top picture shows where the new rear glass door will be installed (that's it with the wood). This door will open into the fenced-in area at the rear of the store. This outdoor area will be used for storing bags of mulch and top soil and the propane exchange tanks. We are also planning on stocking large cement planters, benches, ornaments and other "outdoor decor" items.

The step ladder you see in the top pic is leaning against the wall that will hold over 800 custom picture frame samples. That's right! We will be offering custom framing for our customers convenience. This is actually the same area that Michael's had it located when they occupied this space. I have already hired a framing expert to help guide us into this new department.

We are proud to Announce....

THE OPENING OF OUR OWN...

ACE HARDWARE

It has been a long and winding road but we are finally on the right path!!

After 35+ years with Damman Hardware, which ended with extreme regrets, I found my way to LOWES where I spent two years with the last 6 months as a store manager. I soon realized that it wasn't the job that I thought it would be and I knew that I didn't want to spend the next 10+ years there. I really wanted to get back into the retail hardware arena that I knew and loved. Fortunately a unique opportunity came along that I couldn't refuse, the chance to open my own ACE Hardware back in our neighborhood of 30 years ... Beverly Hills.

The store will be located in the Corners Shopping Center which is at the NE corner of Southfield Road and 13 Mile Rd. The space was previously occupied by Michaels Craft store. The sales floor is about 13,000 sq ft and the bonus is there is also a 10,000 sq ft second floor for storage. The renovation and improvement of the space is well under way. Our "soft" opening is scheduled to be October 20th with the Grand Opening in mid November. In future postings I will keep you all up to date on the progess with pictures and commentary.

As of today, July 31st , progress is moving at a quick pace. In four days the plumbers have cut the floor, roughed in the plumbing and re-cemented the floor. The electricians have removed all the old light fixtures and most of the old wiring and started to run new circuts and the carpenters have most of the walls roughed in. The floor tile and ceiling tile had been removed several weeks ago.




This first posting is dedicated to my friend and main supporter, Mike Anderson better know in Alexandria Virgina as Mango Mike. His ready support and "can-do" attitude has been a great inspiration. And certainly to my wife Debbie who has been amazingly calm throughout the last three "tumultuous" years

Posted by 8/31/08
Bill Damman