Westlake Ace buys Clarks Hardware

Westlake Ace Hardware announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Clarks Ace Hardware, a 179-year-old hardware retailer with two locations in Maryland: Ellicott City and Columbia.

“Countless generations of homeowners have depended on Clarks Ace to provide world-class service, community support, and the products they need to get their projects done right,” said Joe Jeffries, president and CEO of Ace Retail Holdings, the parent company of Westlake Ace Hardware.

The Clarks Ace stores will be rebranded as Westlake Ace but will retain store management and personnel and much of the current product mix, said Westlake, adding  it anticipates the acquisition will be completed on June 23.

“Westlake Ace is also a company with a long history, so we truly understand the importance of continuity and maintaining a tradition of excellence in the communities where we do business,” said Jeffries

Clarks Ace was founded in 1845 by John L. Clark, and has become the third-oldest family-owned hardware retailer in America.

According to Margaret Clark, owner and member of the seventh generation of the Clark family to manage the business, “Clarks has a long lineage of helping our community through retail hardware. It is important to pass the torch to a company that holds the same standard of treating people and our communities well.”

“Westlake Ace has similar core values, good benefits, and will bring growth opportunities to our team members. I’m fully confident the business will continue to provide excellent customer service to Howard County and surrounding communities for generations to come,” said Clark.

For nearly 120 years, Westlake Ace Hardware said it has been, “the helpful neighborhood hardware store countless generations have counted on.”

Westlake Ace is headquartered in the Kansas City area and has been part of the Ace Hardware Cooperative since 1959.