Ace Hardware to Open New Store in Lemont

Ace Hardware will open a new location in Lemont later this year, Lemont Mayor Brian Reaves announced Monday.

The home improvement store is set to open this October at 1096 State St., next to . The site was formerly occupied by True Value—another hardware store—and the short-lived sports complex, The Swing.

The franchise will be run by Dan and Pattie Harris, who already own an Ace Hardware in Palos Heights. The couple was on hand for the announcement Monday at the meeting.

"On behalf of our family, we want to thank (the village board) and staff for working with us for the many years we've been coming out here and finally finding a home location," Dan Harris said.

Harris said the Lemont store will be the couple's third; they previously owned a franchise in Orland Park for a number of years.

The Palos Heights store has been open since 1998, and has been recognized by the Ace Hardware Corporation as one of the nation's top-performing stores, Harris said.

In Palos Heights, Harris has served as the president of the chamber of commerce, and has been a member of several advisory committees. He said he hopes to bring the same spirit to Lemont.

"We're eager to be here, and are excited to be in this community," Harris said. "We just ask that the community supports us. We're locally owned, and we will pay back in many different ways."

Harris said he hopes to open the store by mid-September or early October.

During the meeting, Mayor Reaves thanked village staff and trustees for working with the Harrises and the building developer to finalize the deal.

"It's a true testament to how hard everyone is working," Reaves said of the new store.

"We can hear what's wrong (with the village) on a daily basis. It's hard, but days like today definitely make it all worth while," he said.

Reaves said the village is working with the developer to start the process of tearing down the vacant gas station on State Street in anticipation of Ace Hardware's opening.

Harris said he's hopeful the store will generate more traffic along State Street, which could lead to more businesses coming to town.

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