Intown Ace Hardware Sees Incoming Walmart as '800-Pound Gorilla'
The popular North Decatur store was featured in The Huffington Post this week.
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North Decatur's popular Intown Ace Hardware received some national press this week in The Huffington Post.
Among the highlights are store owner Dave Jones' thoughts on the incoming Walmart in Suburban Plaza. From the story:
"They are the 800-pound gorilla and I am a little flea, and they don't care," he added. "We will continue to expand into areas to attract customers who are not Walmart shoppers."
Already Jones is thinking of ways to out-maneuver the giant retailer when it likely opens next year. Jones said his strategy will not be to compete on the prices of basic goods, like a bag of fertilizer or storage containers. Instead, he said, he'll offer niche products. If Walmart offers basil, for example, Jones pointed out that he offers 10 different kinds of the herb -- plus the customer service to tell customers how and where to plant it.
It's a great, detailed story about how this popular business, particularly among Medlock residents and Decatur families, has managed to stay afloat amid heavy, heavy, big box competition.
What do you think of Intown Ace Hardware? Tell us in the comments section below.
Terry Smith
8:37 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
Walmart can NEVER come close to offering the same level of customer service, ambiance, or shopping experience as Ace Hardware. ALL Walmart has is cheap, made in China CRAP which falls apart before you get it home. or is toxic. No, Ace Hardware will CONTINUE to get my business. I'll take clean, personable, friendly ANYTIME over Crap Walmart.
Tammy
9:11 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
ACE hardware is the only place that sells those astroturf floor mats with the little daisy. They also service Stihl power tools, which Walmart does not. I'm sure that the two can exist independently. ACE would be smart to work on decluttering all of their stores though, it's hard to get around and it looks like a hoarder has taken over.
Crash
11:01 am on Friday, January 25, 2013
Hoarding means that you get to have all those unique items you can't find in regular stores. Now that Handy Ace in Tucker is ashes, I'm jonesing for my clutter.
Kevin Madigan
11:27 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Crash, Handy Ace in Tucker is being rebuilt, clutter and all.
Barbara Baggerman
12:47 pm on Saturday, January 26, 2013
One of the most fun places to shop in all of Atlanta; all that cool, interesting, unique stuff not found in chain stores. And they always seem to have exactly what you need when you need it and can't find it anywhere else. Some aisles are narrow, but not cluttered.
Annabeth Balance
1:53 am on Monday, January 28, 2013
Ace Hardware, particularly the one on Scott Blvd., is one of my very favorite places to shop. The Ace folks are friendly, knowledgeable, and more than willing to help. Walmart has been around "forever", one place or another. Their building a new place near my favorite store won't change who my favorite is.
Kevin Madison
8:24 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
In the long run, you will save money and time by patronizing businesses like ACE rather than Walmart. You can park close to the entrance, get educated sales help almost immediately, buy a quality product and have a pleasant shopping experience.
If a product costs a bit more at mom and pops, it's because you get more. And more seems to be what everyone wants?
Sally
7:40 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
There is plenty of room in that market for both Ace Hardware & Walmart. They are different stores.
Todd G
7:55 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
I agree. I wouldnt ever go to WM for anything other than home goods - especially not home improvements. That's Home Depot or Ace...
Sally
5:46 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Home Depot is a good example of this whole WalMart/Ace Hardware discussion. Ace Hardware has survived for years with Home Depot just up the street. If they are good business people (and I believe they are) they will survive and thrive WalMart as well.