Name of business: Ace Hardware
Type of business: Traditional hardware store
Location: 3051 Geer Rd., Turlock
Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Contact information: 209-850-4913
Specialty: Customer service
History of business:
The home and garden needs of Turlock residents looking to shop on Geer Road will be met once more thanks to the recent opening of Ace Hardware, which took the place of longtime business Orchard Supply Hardware.
The new store’s general manager Michelle Martinez served in the same role at Turlock’s OSH for nine years before the city’s longtime hardware store closed in 2018, and is now excited to usher in a new era of shopping for the community. Ace Hardware opened its doors Dec. 19 and has been “welcomed” by Turlockers, she said.
“Orchard’s standards and the friendliness of the associates was amazing, but I think Ace has taken it to the next level,” Martinez said. “Turlock has always been a great community and we’re feeling it.”
Since opening before the holidays, Ace has experienced an influx of shoppers eager to take a look at the building’s newly-remodeled interior as well as hunt for the perfect plumbing, painting, gardening and hardware items. Though Martinez knows OSH holds a special place in many of their hearts, she’s certain Ace will live up to Turlock’s standards of what a small-scale hardware store should provide: quality products and exceptional customer service.
“I think OSH is always going to be in our hearts, but I truly think Ace is family-oriented and has embraced the community. I think people are going to want to come here even more than they did with Orchard,” Martinez said. “We’re your neighbor and we want to take care of you.”
Turlock’s new hardware shop is one of 11 former OSH locations in California that have reopened into Ace stores and one of 4,400 Ace stores across the country. The 33,681 square foot store sells traditional hardware products like fasteners, tools, plumbing and electrical supplies, and also features several “store-in-a-store” concepts and departments, including a Garden Center, Backyard BBQ department, Outdoor Power Equipment department, Tool Shop, Paint Studio, Pet Supply and Kitchen Essentials.
“We have something for every type of project, and if we don’t have it there’s a good chance we can order it,” Martinez said. “There are a lot of things for families to shop for.”
According to Martinez, the new Ace provided about 45 jobs. While many working at the store are new faces, some, like Martinez, were able to keep the positions they formerly held at OSH. In addition to the old friends she still gets to see at work, Martinez said the customers from OSH have remained loyal to the location as well.
“It’s been great opening up, coming back and seeing some of the old associates and getting hugs from them. In the last week we’ve seen a lot of friendly faces coming back in to shop, too,” she said. “There’s a very good mix of some old faces and some new faces, so we’re excited. It’s a great team and a great mix.”
