As your local Ace Hardware, our company is a member of the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry. Ace Hardware began as a small chain of stores in 1924 and has grown to include more than 4,600 stores in 50 states and more than 70 countries. As part of a cooperative, every Ace Hardware store is independently owned. Our goal: we want you to think of us as "The MOST Helpful Hardware Stores on the Planet"!