OAK BROOK, Ill. — Ace Hardware is opening 11 stores this summer in former Orchard Supply Hardware locations. Nine of the sites will be run by Westlake Ace Hardware, a large chain owned by Ace. The other two will be operated by independent Ace dealers. Average store size will be about 30,000 square feet.
Orchard Supply was a banner with stores throughout California. It was purchased by Lowe’s Cos. in 2013 but Lowe’s closed the stores down near the end of 2018. Ace bought Westlake Hardware, at the time a chain of 85 stores and Ace’s largest member, at the end of 2012.