Ace Hardware opens up its doors in Federal Hill
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John Elliott, one of two owners of the new Ace Hardware store in Federal Hill, says renovations in the neighborhood will help drive his business.
(Chris Murino/Special to The Baltimore Examiner)
John Elliott, one of two owners of the new Ace Hardware store in Federal Hill, says renovations in the neighborhood will help drive his business.

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The paper came off the windows at the grand opening of Ace Hardware in Federal Hill this week and people immediately started rolling in.

Owners John Elliott and Gina Schaefer said the store, located at 1214 Light St., had a smooth opening without any real hitches after several weeks of renovation work to the building.

“We’re excited to be open,” Schaefer said. “We even got our first dog visit. We are pet-friendly here.”

Schaefer and Elliott have worked for six weeks preparing for the store’s launch.

Why choose Federal Hill for a new hardware store?

“There was a high concentration of renovation going on,” Schaefer said. “There is also a really strong business community, which we didn't know about at first.”

Federal Hill Main Street Executive Director Bonnie Crockett considers the Ace store as the next logical step in business development in the historic neighborhood.

“A hardware store in a neighborhood with all this residential development will be great,” Crockett said. “It's a great use of that space, which was unusually large for Federal Hill.”

The location was a Dollar General store until the franchise pulled out last August.

Elliott and Schaefer both said it will be customer service that sets them apart from their competitors.

“We always try to greet customers at the door and help them find what they need,” Elliott said. “We have 18 employees working right now, so there are more people to help the customers than most stores this size.”

Because every community is different, with different needs, Schaefer said the hardware store's stock may not be all that traditional.

“There are not a lot of lawns here,” Schaefer said. “We have a whole section with Ravens and Orioles stuff.”

Crockett said business in the area will get a boost with the neighborhood's most recent addition.

“All new businesses spur more business,” she said. “It will snowball. And, revitalization creates revitalization.”


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6:22 AM MST on Wed., May. 28, 2008 re: "Businesses, retailers recognizing downtown’s current, future health"

Examiner Reader said:
Baltimore is one of the oldest cities in this nation; it is rich with a tradition of invention, industrialism, and innovation. It should return to it's former glory...back in the late 1800's and 1900's it was said "If you want tomke money, you will need to go to Baltimore"...

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5:52 AM MST on Sat., Apr. 12, 2008 re: "District entrepreneur takes light-up sneakers to the national shoe stage"

Examiner Reader said:
why is nothing ever realesed in australia? i have been looking for light up shoes for years and i finally find a pair and they arent selling in australia!!

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9:24 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

D said:
Still cheap.

54 agree | 59 disagree
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7:20 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

Examiner Reader said:
Cheap: I said trying not being sucessfull.

66 agree | 72 disagree
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6:44 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

Cheap said:
Well, if you let him. Who's fault is that? Make a call.

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4:41 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

Examiner Reader said:
Now I know what o'malley's march really stands for. He will stand by raise taxes and watch all of the businesses march out of Maryland.

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3:10 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

Leaving MD said:
Value City is closing 37 of its 113 stores nationwide yet 7 of 8 of its MD stores are closing! How many jobs is that? How many other businesses will be affected by the MD closings. This is what a hostile business climate does! Thanks O'Malley! Thanks Franchot! Thanks Miller! Thanks Busch! Nice job boys.

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12:43 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Value City closing Baltimore-area stores"

City Resident said:
pretty sure this is O' Malleys fault. that and the fact that liberals are now using craigslist to buy second hand furniture....man, way to go Baltimore!

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12:42 PM MST on Tue., May. 29, 2007 re: "Penzeys spices up D.C. area with Rockville store"

Examiner Reader said:
WHat is the street address for Penskys???? You give the one for the new one in Falls Church.

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