Ace Hardware builds new home for itself in Somerset
By Bob Flynn
Ace Hardware , a mainstay in downtown Somerset for many years , has returned to Pulaski County with the opening of a new store located at 370 S . U . S . 27 in the Tradewind Shopping Center .
Owners Mike and Terri Bone , both Indiana natives , opened the store on December 17 , 2024 in the former Goodwill store location .
Mike has worked for Ace Hardware for more than 25 years . He and a friend owned an Ace Hardware store in California for many years . After selling the store following the death of his business partner , he moved back to Indiana and married his high school sweetheart Terri .
Four years ago the couple moved to Somerset and two years later Mike decided Somerset would be the perfect location for another Ace Hardware .
" We fell in love with the area and about two years ago we started looking around for a place to open a store ," he said . " We looked at some places that were a little bit off the road but we really wanted to be on U . S . 27 . When we found out Goodwill was moving out we saw the potential in this place and took it ."
The store is veteran-owned and operated as Mike and his stepson , Chris Franklin the store manager , are both veterans as are several employees .
Ace Hardware is a true family business as well with Terri , Mike ' s daughter Gabriella Fadely and Chris ' s wife Tanya all working there .
" We offer friendly service and we pride ourselves on being helpful people ," said Franklin . " You are going to get some expertise when you come in here , whether it ' s plumbing , tools or hardware .
Our employees are knowledgeable about what we have in the store and know where to find everything ."
Ace Hardware is everything people have come to love about the company offering a full range of hardware products — and more than that , items to help enjoy delicious meals . The Somerset store is proud to be the first Ace Hardware store out of the 5,000 nationwide to have a dedicated space built specifically for all one ' s BBQ needs .
The store features a large selection of grills from Weber , Traeger , Blackstone and Big Green Egg as well as all the tools and accessories needed for the perfect cookout . They also stock a large selection of BBQ sauces and dry rubs . Ace also sells Ooni pizza ovens and wood chip outdoor fire pits and stoves .
For those in need of power tools , Ace has that covered as well , with a selection
20 • SEKY - Southeast Kentucky Life March 2025