About Us

History    Company Profile    Mission Statement    Diversification    Innovation

History

Named after a two-story hardware chain that was next to Happy Days' Howard Cunningham's hardware store (that never opened because its comptroller absconded with the company's money and ran off to the Bahamas!), Hardware Village opened in September 1978. Owners Michele and Pete Peterson and Edward and Lucille Lopes opened a small independent hardware store that had three employees and 4,200' to serve the western Glen Burnie, Severn and Millersville areas of Anne Arundel County. The store started off quickly, sales grew and it became apparent that there was a dire need for a better source of supply and support. The owners affiliated with Ace Hardware in 1980. The second store was conceived and opened in Lake Shore Plaza in Pasadena in 1983, as Ace Hardware & Home Center. In 2003, both store's names were changed to become the same – Ace Hardware & Hearth, reflecting the more descriptive name of its function and direction. In 2006, our third location in Edgewater - Ace Home & Leisure - opened its doors. With a focus on outdoor living, Ace Home & Leisure has quickly become an area destination location.

Ace Hardware Village became nationally known to many because it was through the persistent efforts of co-owner Pete Peterson that kerosene heaters became legal in Maryland. With help from Kero-Suns' legal team, Pete was the key figure in getting the Maryland state fire code overturned and Senate Bill 598 passed to allow citizens of Maryland to legally use kerosene heaters in their homes.

With now nearly 100 employees, Ace Hardware & Hearth and Ace Home & Leisure are poised for growth. Ace thanks its loyal customers for their faithful support that has made Ace the place where "Helpful” can be found.

Company Profile

Ace Hardware & Hearth and Ace Home & Leisure are now owned solely by Pete and Michele Peterson. Presently, the Petersons have three store locations in Maryland and supply seasonal products such as fireplaces, stoves, venting, wood, pellets, water-conditioning salt, birder supplies, pool chemicals, fertilizers and other commodities. While many hardware stores are now gone, Ace continues to flourish thanks to its hardworking associates and loyal customers. Notable accomplishments include:

Ace proudly supports many local youth activities, community events and projects such as the Tate Cancer Center and the North Arundel Hospital Emergency Department. Ace loves to support the communities that support them. Ace is also involved in donations to many local, regional, national and international charities.

The Ace Mission Statement

"The mission of the Ace team is to satisfy the customer." When something goes other than the way it was planned, we do everything in our power to make it right. You have the Ace promise on that!

Diversification

Ace believes in being to the community what it wants Ace to be. Ace provides many niche products not typically found in hardware stores including, fireplaces, stoves, pool supplies, bird food and feeders, and special lawn and garden offerings.

Innovation

Ace Hardware & Hearth and Ace Home & Leisure are on the leading edge of today’s technology. Affiliated with Ace Hardware and a dealer owned co-op, we have the ability to make available many cutting-edge programs. The Helpful Hardware Club, an Ace customer loyalty program, rewards purchases at our stores with quarterly rebate checks, super coupons, in store specials, special sale offerings, and timely information on current home products.