As one of the new businesses in town, Strand Ace Hardware checks plenty of boxes.
For starters, it’s in a familiar location. The Swanson family from nearby Escalon opened their fourth hardware store, converting the once-vacant Orchard Supply Hardware in Manteca.
The family did likewise in taking over another Orchard Supply.
The difference was that the Modesto store stood vacant for only a short time before re-opening as an Ace Hardware, according to Chris Swanson at Friday’s grand-opening / ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Manteca Chamber of Commerce.
While getting the new Strand Ace Hardware at 189 W. Louise Ave. ready, the Swanson family acquired Schemper’s Ace Hardware in Ripon back in November. The Schemper and Swanson families have a long history together.
“Both our fathers were in business together,” said Chris Swanson, who is a second-generation of the family business that dates back to 1975.
That’s when his family acquired the first store Ace Hardware in Escalon from the Strand brothers.
“That was the old 2,500 square-foot building. We moved it to a 6,000 square-foot building (on Main Street) – now it’s a 30,000 square-foot (total space) store,” he said.
Swanson’s son, Dirk – a third-generation family member – led in the reconfiguration of the Manteca store.
“He did most of the steering. I had my foot more on the gas pedal and the brakes,” Chris Swanson said.
All told, it was six months of work and training to finally get the new Strand Ace Hardware up and running.
“We’re so excited to open in Manteca,” Dirk Swanson said.
Store Manager Kassidy Nunes is in charge of the Manteca store. She previously worked at the other Swanson-owned Ace Hardware stores.
She noted that her store has 42,000 square-foot of floor space with 66 employees on the payroll.
The grand-opening event featured local business leaders and dignitaries, including San Joaquin County Board of Supervisor Tom Patti, who called the new family-owned store “a valuable asset” to the community.
In a time of online shopping, Brianna Gonzalez from Congressman Josh Harder’s office prefers the brick-and-mortar on fix-me-upper advice or finding that tool to get the job done around the house.
“It’s great to have businesses (like Strand Ace Hardware) that we can still go to for help,” she said.
Field Representative Jason Laughlin from Assemblyman Heath Flora office thanked the Swanson family for investing in Manteca.
The store is featuring a grand opening lineup of activities, in-store demos, giveaways and special deals, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., today and Sunday.
For more information, log on to www.strandace.com.
