ACO hardware will close 14 stores.

[Parkguy]

Grandland shopping center has a new owner and new management company. They plan some upgrades to the property in the coming months. I don't know if that had anything to do with ACO pulling out-- maybe the rent is going up?

But, I agree that the chain hardware stores are pretty much worthless, unless you want something in a bubble pack. I worked in a real hardware store for a while in back in the day, and the experience was a real education. You have to be able to go to a hardware store with a broken part or a problem, explain it to the sales person, and then get the right part and an explanation of what to do with it. There are only a few places like that left.

[Redleg81]

ACO's might hit the mark for an item or two, but only if you can find them through all the pop and chips, but here out on the far west [[Washtenaw), besides the big box stores, the choice for a 'real' hardware store has got to be Stadium Hardware in A2, or Congden's ACE Hardware, in Ypsi-- Though they have rather short hours during the week.... ACO's dying, Sears/Kmart and JCP probably not too far behind.

[compn]

i'll never forget the wise advice i once got from a helpful home depot worker.

"that sounds like its a lot of work".

[Downriviera]

The Aco I go to is not too bad. The food stuff is off in its own section and I never go for that stuff, although I will pick up a jar of Sanders Fudge topping when its on sale. The staff is helpful and I'm in there once a week for a light bulb or nuts and bolts, etc. We lost our neighborhood hardware store when the owner died and it is sorely missed. Someone mentioned Melvindale Hardware and thats a great place, too. The big boxes are a last resort for me and I'm never comfortable in them.

[catch22]

They put a Menards at Schoolcraft and Middlebelt? Didn't hear about that one, I know the first one is on the M-59 I-94 corridor.

It's not open yet. It looks to be at least a month or two off yet.