Upstreet Ace Hardware
Indiana, PA has been without a locally owned hardware store since Barclay’s Hardware closed more than 20 years ago. That will change soon, as Upstreet Ace Hardware opened on Tuesday, June 27. The store’s official grand opening celebration will take place the weekend of Aug 18-20.
Upstreet Ace Hardware will be an in-town, convenience hardware store, located at 631 Philadelphia Street, in downtown Indiana. The store will include 11,000 square feet of retail space, spread across the building’s two floors. It will also include off-street customer parking, behind the former PNC Bank building and adjacent to the store. The business is owned by Frank and Hastie Kinter and managed by their son-in-law and daughter, Matt and Kaiti Jackson.
The Ace Hardware Corporation’s vision is to create the best, most helpful hardware stores on the planet, and it pursues that goal through a customer- and community-oriented business model. It was this people-first model that drew the Kinters and the Jacksons to Ace. That Ace had been interested in finding a partner in the Indiana market for more than a decade made this an easy match. And, although Upstreet Ace Hardware explored several potential locations, the opportunity to open the store in the physical center of Indiana was one the Kinters couldn’t pass up. “We’re excited to be in the heart of downtown Indiana, and to bring life back to the former Sear Roebuck store. Of the many sites we considered, it is our favorite. We would love to think that our investment in downtown Indiana might encourage others to do the same,” said Frank.
Following Ace’s Core Store format, Upstreet Ace will stock Ace “Best Brands,” including Benjamin Moore and Magnolia Homes Paint, Weber and Big Green Egg, Stihl, EGO, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Craftsman, Scotts, Toro, Hillman and Yeti, among others. The store’s inventory will include virtually everything needed to maintain and repair a home or office and will be managed within the store’s various departments, such as Hardware and Tools; Lighting and Electrical; Plumbing; Paint and Supplies; Home and Décor; Outdoor Living and Lawn and Garden; and Storage and Organization.
In creating Upstreet Ace, the Kinters sought out and benefitted from the opportunity to collaborate with many other local businesses and organizations. Financing and financial services were provided by S&T Bank, CNB Bank, ABCD Corporation, and the Indiana County Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). A public financing option such as the RLF can help leverage additional funds while providing low interest gap financing for the project. This projects success is represented by great collaboration among all the entities involved, public and private.
The significant work to prepare the 631 Philadelphia Street building for its retail operations was performed by Don Huey Custom Building & Remodeling, Crane Masonry, EMB Computing and BR Electric, East American Inc, Moreau Sign Company, Moreau Garage Doors, Thomas R Harley Architects, Tyger Painting, Ultimate Concrete Resurfacing, Marsh Contracting and Affordable Interiors among others. The Kinters noted that Indiana Borough has also been a great partner throughout the process.
Stop by Upstreet Ace Hardware for all your home improvement needs and support a business that itself is focused on supporting its community.