Progress — 2014
Page 3
Valspar paints, LP filling, greenhouse
top Nelson’s Ace Hardware additions
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BY NEWS-REVIEW STAFF
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The addition of paints from the internationally known Valspar Corp. is
the latest in a string of improvements
at Nelson’s Ace Hardware of Eagle River, a North Woods’ retailing leader.
Store co-owner David Eibner said
the addition of Valspar will nearly double the size of the paint department,
which will continue to carry other
brands including Ace Hardware’s Royal and top-rated Clark and Kensington
paints and stains.
Valspar is the fifth-largest North
American manufacturer of paints and
coatings, a business it has engaged
since 1806. The company’s reputation
was built on the Valspar varnish,
which was unveiled in 1906 as the first
coating for wood that retained its clear
finish when exposed to water.
Eibner said Valspar fits well with
the tradition of Nelson’s Ace, which
prides itself on quality products and
customer service.
“We’ve won awards for our commitment to provide superior service, for
achieving the highest levels of retail
excellence, supporting the community
and making Nelson’s Ace ‘the helpful
place,’ ” he said. “Providing friendly,
knowledgeable and helpful service is
what we strive to do.”
A new paint line and renovated department are just part of the improvements made in the past year. One of
the biggest was the opening of an LP
station for filling propane tanks of all
sizes, including those on motor homes.
“We saw a surprisingly high demand for instant propane tank filling,
which we do essentially from sunup to
sundown seven days a week,” said Eibner. “It’s also a better value than ex-
Brad Brainard stocks one of the new
Valspar paint color displays.
Nelson’s Ace Hardware on Wall Street in Eagle River recently
expanded and renovated its paint department to accommodate
the addition of paints from the internationally known Valspar
Corp.
—NEWS-REVIEW PHOTOS
changing prefilled tanks.”
New in 2013 was the opening of a
greenhouse that brought a large assortment of plants and flowers to Nelson’s for the first time.
“Plant growth was a little behind
last year with the late spring, but we
found top-notch, hardy plants from a
North Woods wholesaler,” said Eibner.
“We supplemented that offering with
Bonnie plants, a line of quality vegetable and herb plants.”
they need with Craftsman Tools — including a 40-foot display of hand tools.
toys, including beach balls and towels,
goggles, tubes and boat towables.
The store continues to carry a selection of automotive products, power
equipment, plumbing and electronic
fixtures and other hardware products.
For outdoor cooking, they offer a full
line of gas and charcoal grills by Weber,
the store’s staple product, and Big
Green Egg grills — a specialty grill
that has grown tremendously in popularity the past two years.
“Customer service and a wide selection of products are why Nelson’s has
been the area’s hardware business
leader since 1952,” he said.
Nelson’s has been known historically as an authorized dealer for Stihl
chain saws, trimmers and blowers, as
well as Ariens snow throwers. Several
years ago they added Craftsman Tools,
promoted in the industry as “America’s
most trusted tool brand.”
From wrenches and tool cabinets to
an extensive collection of power tools,
Eibner said customers can find what
Eibner said 2013 brought the addition of Taste Of The Wild dog food products to the store, which went over bigger than they ever expected. He said
they are natural, healthy food for dogs
with a competitive price point.
Nelson’s has a wide variety of items
for lawns and gardens. They also carry
a number of home accessories and
gifts. The store has a selection of lake
Eibner, husband of Jessica Nelson,
handles the daily operations of the
business with his brother-in-law, Kevin
Nelson. According to Eibner, two Nelson brothers originally founded a hardware store in Park Falls. After a while,
the Nelson brothers separated and
Carl Sr. moved to Eagle River and
started Nelson’s Ace Hardware.
Located at 606 E. Wall St. in downtown Eagle River, Nelson’s Ace Hardware now employs nearly 50 people. It
is open Mondays through Fridays from
7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 7 a.m.
to 6 p.m.; and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m.