Fallbrook Ace Hardware ready for spring rush

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

Spring is in the air and flowers are blooming. Business is booming at Fallbrook Ace Hardware, said Kevin Coleman, who this month marks his one-year anniversary as the store's new manager under a new owner, Crown Ace Hardware.

Whether it's for customers to handle spring cleaning or sprucing up their property, Coleman and his staff are continually re-stocking and bringing in new products.

"Ownership is investing in the land and buildings, as well as inventory," he said in a recent interview. "They've done a lot already but come June the flooring will be upgraded, and the front entry will be changed. We'll have a larger seasonal barbecue area with Traeger, Big Green Egg, Webber, and Blackstone Grille."

With the remodeling, the hardware – including Stihl equipment and repair – is being moved to the front of the store. The middle will have what Coleman calls the "grill, chill and still" area.

The final improvement, he said, will be repaving the parking lot and new parking lines. The company will also be installing outside lights in the parking area and a huge Fallbrook Ace Hardware sign.

"We're learning to go for the long game," the manager added, "and we're well on the way."

The new ownership has increased store hours to staying open until 7 p.m. weekdays and 6 p.m. on weekends. Opening hours are 7 a.m. all days except Sundays, which are 8 a.m.

"The outdoor garden area has a better feel," Coleman noted. "We have new racks we built ourselves and are completing that project really soon."

Coleman was previously manager at the Ace store in Clairemont, from 2007 to last year. One of the key goals with the new ownership is to retain previous workers, the manager said. "We retained 90% of the employees. Some moved on, leaving on their own accord, and all our new hires are local."

He added that keeping former manager Tresa Yada on board as assistant manager was essential. She has worked at the store for 27 years.

"We have a great team here," Coleman said. "I'm always learning things from them, and they are knowledgeable for our customers."

The most senior employee is Roger Reed, who works in plumbing and electrical. He's worked in the same store for 48 years under four owners.

Crown Ace Hardware owns 20 stores, Coleman said, mostly in Southern California. Others are in Arizona, Hawaii and Northern California.

"That gives us buying power," he said, keeping prices competitive. "Each store is unique, too, and customized. We don't stock a lot of beach products but since Fallbrook is an avocado and other agricultural town, we have things like pickers, trimmers and gopher fences. I didn't know what a gopher fence was, but I've learned!"

With no Walmart or Target in town, the store also has small appliances like blenders and coffee makers.

"Our overall message is that we're here to work for the community," Coleman said. "We like to provide what people need, whether its propane refills, keys, window screen repairs, or equipment rentals.

Fallbrook Ace Hardware is located at 640 S. Main St.