Andy Harland, owner of Don’s Ace Hardware in downtown Jefferson, announced Wednesday that he has entered into an agreement to purchase the former ShopKo building on N. Elm St.
Harland anticipates taking possession of the building in January. A number of building improvements are planned.
Don’s Ace Hardware will relocate to this new location. At that time, the business name will change to Jefferson Ace Hardware.
“The additional space will allow us to provide a larger selection of goods and services,” Harland said. “This investment in Jefferson will allow us to serve the community for many years to come.”
The current downtown building will be available for purchase.
The building has a unique history. The north portion of the building was the last one built on the downtown square, in 1935 or ’36. It was designed as a hardware store and has always been one.
In 1950, Joens Hardware (owned by Emil Joens, Jim Parr and Dick Orris) leased the building to the south and removed the walls between the two buildings so they’d have space in which to sell appliances. Selling appliances lasted just two years at the store and the walls were put back in.
Don Orris, a second-generation owner, took the walls out again in 1999, giving the store 5,600 square-feet of space. The ShopKo building has more than 20,000 square-feet of space
