We are so excited to kickoff our very first Mahomet Chamber Member Spotlight with Ace Hardware, the 2017 Business of the Year! Ace Hardware of Mahomet is a staple of the community. This is one of the best places in town to shop for lawn & garden supplies, grills, hardware, tools, paint and even general household supplies. We spoke with Amy Hood of Mahomet Ace Hardware about the history of the store, advice, fun stories and more.
How many years have you been in business?
14 years at Mahomet (61 in Gibson City)
What motivates you?
We love people and working with our team in the store.
Why are you a Chamber member?
We appreciate the networking and getting acquainted with other business owners in Mahomet.
What’s an interesting fact about your business most people don’t know?
Mahomet Ace Hardware, partners with Ace Hardware in Gibson City to transfer goods between stores to help get what our customers need quicker. We also offer Online instore pick up.
Do you have any advice for new business owners?
Work hard, take care of your health. Find time to balance family, spiritual life and things that are important to you.
When you’re not working, where in the area do you like to spend your time?
Outside. We enjoy the Lake of the Woods area and all it offers to the community. We also enjoy going to sporting events at the University of Illinois.
What is the most important thing your business does?
ACE Hardware’s reputation is the “HELPFUL Place”, We help our neighbors solve problems and fix stuff.
What did you do before? Or are you juggling multiple careers?
We both worked for State Farm Ins. before moving back to Central Illinois. Our multiple career would be managing two Ace Hardware stores.
How big is your staff? Has your staff grown since starting out?
We started out with 6-8 and have expanded to 10-12 depending on the season.
What are your plans for your business’ future?
Our store is limited in size, so we are constantly trying to find the perfect mix of merchandise needed to serve the community. We hope to expand as ACE increases our online sales capabilities through the ACE Hardware in store pickup and helping other businesses through business to business purchases.
What’s your most memorable moment with this business?
When Ernie and Mille Rosenberg owned the store they had customers just write down on a piece of paper what they were getting, leave the paper in a tray and walk out of the store. We dropped a computer system into the store overnight so that we could scan, sell, track and order merchandise. The very first customer the next morning asked ” Where’s the charge ticket stand where I write stuff down?” We told them that it was gone. They replied, “That’s probably good. A lot of people didn’t always write everything down.” That, was a watershed moment. Ernie and Millie Rosenberg were salt of the earth people. They were wonderful to work with.
What’s the biggest challenge about having a business?
Work/Life balance and working the schedule.
What’s the best thing about owning a business?
We find satisfaction in helping others and being part of the fabric of the community.
Do you have any upcoming events or other information to share with the community?
Our ACE National Neighborhood “Gather Around the Grill” BBQ FEST May 5 from 11am-2pm, a one day event that brings to life a grilling experience with top brands like Weber and Traeger and all of their unique features. Come join the fun and learn all about how to use your grills for great BBQ events in your own backyards.
Visit Mahomet Ace Hardware Today!
804 Eastwood Center – Ste 9D
Mahomet, IL 61853
(217) 586-3747
facebook.com/MahometAceHardwareInc