About a year-and-a-half after ACE Hardware closed in San Diego Country Estates, a new hardware store is about to take its place.
Country Hardware Store True Value is expected to open sometime in February in the Village Center at Gunn Stage and San Vicente roads, said manager Steve Hermiz.
The store’s owner, which also owns three Country Wine & Spirits convenience stores in Ramona, plans to stock a variety of hardware goods, from tools and yard supplies, to barbecues and plants, Hermiz said. When the store is ready to expand, it will also sell hay and feed for animals, Hermiz added.
Hermiz, who is general manager for Country Wine & Spirits, said the owners are broadening their business to fill a demand within the community for a hardware store in the Estates.
“I’m in the convenience and alcohol store business but the community wanted a hardware store here and I’m here to support the community,” he said. “The community has been a family to me and I will do whatever it takes to help everybody.”
The former Estates ACE Hardware closed in August 2021 after its owners, Jeff and Nadine Fabian and Ralph and Shel Peebler, said their rent at 23642 San Vicente Road more than doubled when their lease was being renewed.
Jeff Fabian said they ran out of options to relocate the store because very few properties were available in Ramona at the desired 8,000-square-foot size. The ACE Hardware had been serving customers at the location for roughly a decade.
The opening of Country Hardware Store True Value will be a role reversal.
Instead of an ACE supplier, the store will be supplied by True Value. Meanwhile, the former Ransom Brothers True Value hardware store at 1441 Main St. in Ramona recently became Ransom Brothers ACE Hardware.
The shopping center’s landlord, John Souza, is helping the Country Wine & Spirits business open the new store, Hermiz said.
“He wanted to open a hardware store there,” Hermiz said. “He’s helped us a lot in starting the process.”
About a dozen or so employees will be hired to staff Country Hardware Store True Value in the near future, Hermiz said. Hiring information will be posted on Country Wine & Spirits’ Facebook page.
A grand opening ceremony is expected to follow the store’s opening, although a date has not yet been set.
This content was originally published here.
