Ruppert Ace Hardware celebrates 30 years

Cresco - So many new owners have high hopes of having a successful business. Many fail in the first year. 

Ruppert Ace Hardware in Cresco made it through the first, second,  third year and more. Owners Rhonda and Nick have just celebrated their 30th year in business, which includes an expansion and move and dozens of awards for sales and service.

The couple moved to Cresco in 1980 to run the bowling alley. Late nights did not blend well with their young family, so they changed their plan and purchased the former JCPenney/King’s Four Seasons building (now Cresco Bicycles) at 220 N. Elm in summer 1988.

They spent that fall painting and renovating the building. They ordered merchandise and opened their doors. Their grand opening was exactly 30 years ago, during Thanksgiving weekend!

And they’ve been thankful ever since. Their business was a huge success and continued to grow. They loved their location on Elm Sreet but were outgrowing the space. In 1998, the sales floor was re-set, and the rental portion of the business was added. 

The change was a hit, but  Rhonda and Nick could feel the walls closing in. Two years later, a dozen after opening, they moved into a new building — this one facing Highway 9 at 120 2nd Ave. SE. A grand re-opening was held in November 2000.

In making its move, Ruppert’s went from a 3,000 sq. ft. selling space to a 7,000 sq. ft. sales floor with an additional 4,000 sq. ft. of receiving, storage, service and office space. 

A few years later, an additional 5,000 sq. ft. area on the north side of the building was purchased to establish a garden center. 

Besides receiving Ace’s Most Improved Retail Award for 1998, after changing the Elm Street store’s footprint, they have received retailer awards for the last 20-plus years. Nick received the Businessman of the Year from the Cresco Chamber of Commerce in 1999 and served on the board of directors, and just last year, the couple received Outstanding Business of the Year by Cresco Chamber and CIDC (Cresco Industrial Development Corporation).

Ace Hardware and all of its independently-owned stores, including Ruppert’s Ace Hardware, are changing with the times. Rhonda noted, “One of the biggest challenges is on-line shopping. Ace is trying to incorporate that into our business.” Shoppers can sign onto acehardware.com, and it will show if the item they are looking for is available at the local Ace Hardware store. Many times it is.

But as independent store owners, Rupperts can also add other lines to their Ace stock.

There are many reasons to purchase locally at Ruppert’s Ace Hardware. There is free local delivery, the store assembles merchandise, such as lawn mowers, etc. for free, and it is getting close to having next day orders available in the store.

With their 30th anniversary this past weekend, Rupperts celebrated with 30 percent off some merchandise during Cresco’s Holiday Open Houses.

They just wanted to give back to their customers for shopping with them over the years. Rhonda said, “We just want to thank the people who have supported us when we were starting out and over the years. And thanks to our customers, employees and family. It’s all about the people. And we have awesome employees. I get compliments on our employees everyday.”

And Rupperts have returned the favor of being helped. Nick mentioned they have tried to help out any of the new businesses getting started.

The couple’s original intent was to stay in Cresco just five years and then move on to a bigger bowling center. 

Sometimes dreams change and become a better reality than a person would have guessed. That’s what happened to Rupperts. They came, they saw, they liked, they loved, they built, they stayed. And the people of Howard County and area are thankful they did!