How is Fallbrook most like an island?

The two new owners of Joe's Hardware – now known as Fallbrook Ace Hardware – have a very similar franchise in Kauai, Hawaii.

Not only are the stories of each purchase parallel, but Mark Schulein said in an interview that these two locations have more in common.

"They are both super isolated," said the Newport Beach businessman," and residents seem to really love their community and don't want to live anywhere else."

Yes, Fallbrook has the Aloha Spirit!

Schulein and Matt Fales are equal partners of the Ace franchises in Fallbrook and the town of Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii. They became owners in Kauai three years ago. The previous owner ran the hardware store for more than 20 years.

The partners operate Crown Ace Hardware, which has a track record of buying stores that are isolated – but none as much as Kauai and Fallbrook.

Joe DeRoest, former owner of Joe's Hardware at 640 S. Main Ave., held the franchise for 18 years. He decided to retire, and Crown Ace Hardware took possession the beginning of February.

Schulein acknowledged DeRoest's impact on the community. "There's so much history there," he said. "He made Joe's Hardware a great community store."

Prior to DeRoest buying the store from his brother-in-law, it was known as Hank's Hardware. Both were affiliated with Ace Hardware. Schulein and Fales changed the name to Fallbrook Ace Hardware.

Taking over an existing store is nothing new for Schulein. Since joining his father (now retired) at Crown Ace Hardware in Orange County, he has helped grow the business to 21 locations in California, Arizona, and Hawaii.

"Our goal is always to keep all the employees and we've pretty much been able to do that with Fallbrook," he said during a recent interview about the purchase.

"When there's a transition, we like to feel we're buying the team. That's our #1 goal. We want that local focus and feel team members are like family," Schulein said.

"It's been four months now that we've been focusing on our team," he said. "Our new store manager is Kevin Coleman, former manager of our Clairemont store."

"We've been able to have several 'easy wins' with lots of new products and more inventory," he said. "Our focus has been people, product and repairs. I'm a safety-minded guy and there was some deferred maintenance. One of our themes is 'best place to work makes the best place to shop.'"

An example of the safety improvements, Schulein pointed out that there had been no outside lighting for the past 15 years, and they are nearly done now with adding lights for outside, including the parking lot.

"We want to bring it up to speed," he said, adding that a major remodeling project is planned for the spring. Crown Ace Hardware is in an expansion mode, but Schulein said it's still run like a family business. Most of the stores are in Orange County.

"We're more of a family of small-town stores. I'm in the stores all the time." He said. "We serve a lot of homeowners and businesses with a wide range of diverse products like lumber and concrete. We're not a box store, but we like to be as complete as possible. We don't like to see people drive out of town to buy something they need."

With its Ace Hardware affiliation, the store is also able to compete with online services, with its store pickup option being popular. Ace Hardware is one of the nation's largest franchises.

Schulein said the store will become very involved with the Chamber of Commerce, the arts community, and other avenues where they can be a resource. "We're very vested in the community and will be looking at fundraising opportunities such as school activities and sports."

He said the company has given $8 million to nonprofits over the years, much of that to Children's Miracle Network hospitals. Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego is part of that network.

The store can be reached at 760-728-4265.