Illinois Ace rolls out Hallmark

HIGHLAND, Ill. — A Hallmark products section is the latest addition to Rick’s Ace Hardware in this St. Louis, Mo.-area community. “It’s kind of like a shrunken down version of a Hallmark store,” manager Jim Leonard told the Belleville (Illinois) News-Democrat, adding that the concept has gone over well at other Ace stores. The store is holding an official grand opening for the section, which has been up and running for about a month already. It carries seasonal cards and decorations, with access to the full inventory of Hallmark products on order in addition to in-store offerings.