Shelby County Co-op is transitioning out of the hardware store business.  But another planned transition could mean a strong starting position for someone else.

Shelby County Co-op General Manager / CEO Denny Frey says clearance sales are underway at Ace Hardware, 2350 East State Road 44, in Shelbyville.  Frey says a new retailer could be staked to a strong head start.

The Shelby County Co-op board decided Ace Hardware was a part of the business that took too much time for the profit that was turned.  However, before the decision was made to proceed with closing the business it appeared the longtime Ace Hardware might continue under a different name.  Frey says True Value offered a lucrative deal to become the name above the door with a package that included reimaging, advertising and products.  The negotiations with True Value came as the board expressed concern that Ace Hardware wasn’t showing much support to the local store.

After approval of a transition to True Value, Frey says the board then decided to go ahead with leaving the hardware store business anyway.  But the True Value offer could be used by a new retailer at the site as it is allowed for the co-op to sub-contract.

Ace Hardware is currently advertising 10 percent off clearance items in the store.  Gradually, other sales offers will be announced over time going into 2022.

Frey says the co-op has job positions available for Ace Hardware employees to potentially stay with Shelby County Co-op.