Welcome to the 2nd addition of “Getting Know“sey” with local, independent business. I am a strong supporter of independent businesses, I happen to work for one, as well! Each month, I will feature a different business, my goal is to introduce you to new places within our community and I do hope you will support these and other local, independently owned businesses in your neighborhood.
This month our feature business is Maple Leaf Ace Hardware, a family-owned business in the heart of Maple Leaf with the friendliest and most helpful crew you could hope to find. I feel fortunate that they are located blocks from my house. If you get frustrated trying to find things and get help in a big, box store- head to Ace, they will help you with a smile.
Here is the “About Us” from their website:
“We have been one of Seattle’s busiest hardware stores since 1950. The Stephensons bought the store in 1973 from Stewart Hall and with Leon and then Ralph’s help started to build the business by adding onto the building on both sides, sending out Tom’s own Ace Hardware paper and calendar, and by remodeling and adding products constantly. The store became known as the friendly neighborhood place to go for ready advice and the latest products as well as products that could not be found anywhere else. Mike Kelley (from Reckless Video) and Kathy Stephenson continue serving “hardware with heart” to the Maple Leaf community when they took over the store. Much has changed in the last sixty years but what remains the same is our family’s dedication to serving up real hardware with real service.
We are an independently owned and operated local business.
We have an agreement with Ace Hardware Corporation to use them as our primary supplier and to participate in programs like Ace Rewards and national sales events. The approximately 4,900 Ace stores worldwide buy products together to negotiate better pricing and to get a better selection of products. We are part of a co-op, not a franchise. While Ace is our primary vendor we still choose what products to carry and what services to provide to serve our neighborhoods and our region”.
Recently I spoke with Mike Kelley, owner and asked him a few questions.
(K) What is your favorite part of operating this business?
(M) The community that we serve and the community that is our Team. Our Team is multi-generational ranging in age from 20’s-80’s. Leon has worked here since the 1950’s! I like the creativity of retail business, specifically hardware- there is so much inventory. It is satisfying to find a solution for our client’s problems: connecting the need to the product. There are many opportunities to connect with people in the local community. Our purpose is “Improving Your Life by Improving Your Day”.
(K) What is your top seller?
(M) Our top sellers are: Cedar Grove Compost and garden soils, yard waste bags, and house paint.
(K) How has COVID impacted your business?
(M) It has impacted our capacity to serve at 100%, masks and plexi-glass make communication harder and is exhausting. We have reduced ourhours and are now open daily from 9-5. Our COVID victories are that we have maintained ALL of our services, including knife sharpening, re-screening, recycling of specific materials and paint matching.
We have great parking and are dog friendly.
Located at 9000 Roosevelt Way NE, www.mapleleaface.com