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Biz Buzz shares business tidbits from the tri-states. Along with this update from Platteville, Wis., we will share additional developments in Tuesday’s edition.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — The new owners of a Platteville hardware store have rounded out a remodel to provide a “brighter, fresher space” for customers.
Hermsen’s Ace Hardware at 180 E. Main St. recently hosted a grand opening celebration in honor of the interior remodel and product line expansion that has taken place under the new owners, David and Jessica Hermsen.
“It’s just a refreshed, updated look,” said Jessica Hermsen. “It’s fun to watch customers who haven’t been in for a while walk in and just get this look of, ‘Oh my gosh’ after the updates.”
The couple also runs Hermsen’s Ace Hardware in Bloomington, which has been in David’s family for four generations. They purchased the Platteville store last winter and since have worked to make the space their own.
Those efforts included a full interior remodel that meant replacing the floors, reorganizing the store’s layout and expanding several product lines.
The store now has a dedicated backyard barbecue and grilling section, Hermsen said, as well as a selection of patio furniture. The plumbing section has been expanded, and new brands or product lines have been implemented storewide.
“We brought in some new product lines in some areas, and in others we just expanded on what (the previous owners) already had,” Hermsen said. “One thing we’ve tried to do is add in some more niche local products like items from (Dubuque-based company) Midwest Girl.”
The store remained open throughout the renovation, which Hermsen said required cooperation and understanding from staff and customers alike.
She said it helped that many of the store’s current staff members worked under prior ownership when the store operated as Heiser’s Ace Hardware and were able to help customers navigate the transition and remodel.
“It’s an updated look, but the same great faces and services that people were used to,” Hermsen said. “Platteville has been great and really supportive, so we’re excited to become a bigger part of the community.”
Hermsen’s Ace Hardware is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The store can be reached by phone at 608-348-5231.