Business and Financial Local Crowder Brothers Recognized as 'Coolest Store' by Ace

LAKEWOOD RANCH – Community planners wanted a store to take care of everyone’s needs, and they got it, in the form of one of the “Coolest Hardware Stores” in the country. Crowder Brothers Ace Hardware joins just five other stores nationwide recently recognized by Ace Hardware Corporation for their unique offerings and special service.

This is the second year Ace has singled out individual retailers for their “cool” factor from among the 4,600 locally-owned and operated Ace Hardware stores worldwide.

“Lakewood Ranch Communities actually approached us about locating here,” said Ron Crowder, owner of Crowder Brothers Ace Hardware. “Residents don’t have to go outside the community for shopping because we offer so much more than a traditional hardware store.”

The store Crowder opened in the largest green certified planned community in the United States combines a 6,000-square-foot gifts and gadgets store and a 24,000-square-foot hardware store that offers premium home maintenance products alongside Grandma Crowder’s homemade fudge.

“One of the best attributes about Ace Hardware and one of our biggest competitive advantages is the uniqueness of our stores,” said Kane Calamari, vice president of retail operations and new business at Ace Hardware Corporation. “Crowder Brothers Ace Hardware is everything but a cookie cutter store, and it’s most deserving of this recognition.”

Local award recipients were invited to take part in a retail symposium for Ace’s annual Platinum Conference, which brings together Ace’s top-performing retailers from around the country. During the conference, Crowder Brothers Ace Hardware was honored with a trophy identifying the location as a “Coolest Hardware Store.”

Across the board, Ace Hardware stores are known for their excellent customer satisfaction and helpfulness. In 2012 the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Home Improvement Retailer Store Satisfaction StudySM ranked Ace Hardware “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Home Improvement Retail Stores, Six Years in a Row.”

For more information about Crowder Brothers Ace Hardware, located at 2401 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., visit www.crowderbros.com.