Ace Hardware to take over vacant Orchard Supply site

A mothballed building once occupied by Orchard Supply Hardware is set to be revived under a new home-improvement chain. On Tuesday, an Ace Hardware affiliate announced it would take over the former Orchard Supply building at 2555 Charleston Road in Mountain View.

The new Ace Hardware is expected to open for business by late next month, and it will employ about 50 workers from the area. The store is expected to feature dedicated departments for gardening, backyards, power tools, paints and kitchen appliances.

“We’re looking forward to becoming a supportive, active and helpful part of the Mountain View community,” said Chris Gueriero, the newly hired Ace general manager, in a statement. Gueriero previously worked at the Mountain View Orchard Supply.

Fans of Orchard, also known as OSH, were saddened last year when the chain abruptly shut down after nearly 90 years in business. The hardware retailer originated in the South Bay and expanded throughout California, but it had been struggling for years amid tight competition. The company bounced between different owners and was later acquired by Lowe’s in 2014. After initial attempts to prop up the chain, Lowe’s officials announced last year they were closing all of Orchard Supply’s 99 retail locations.

A small number of those shuttered hardware stores are now expected to be revived under new ownership. Earlier this year, a Tennessee-based business group announced it would reopen seven Orchard Supply locations under the new name “Outdoor Supply Hardware.”

And at least eight Orchard Supply locations throughout California will be resurrected as Ace Hardware stories. Along with the Mountain View store, an Ace Hardware subsidiary expects to take over Orchard Supply locations in Fresno, West Los Angeles, Chico, Pinole and other cities.

While Orchard Supply may have struggled, Ace Hardware officials expressed confidence that they could make the business work even in the challenging retail climate. There are more than 4,800 Ace Hardware locations, which operate together as a retail cooperative.

“It all comes down to service. Ace stores live and breathe this, and we’re focused on customer service and delivering an excellent experience,” said Ace Hardware spokesman Tom Mentzer. “People are going to be surprised and delighted by the breadth and depth of the products we offer here”

In Mountain View, the 34,000-square-foot OSH building has remained vacant since November, leading to much speculation over its future. For a period, city and nonprofit officials tried to persuade the building’s owners to allow the site to be used as a safe parking lot for people living out of vehicles.

The new Ace Hardware location is expected to open for business on Sept. 25. A grand opening event is scheduled for Oct. 18 through 20, which will include a variety of promotions.

Anyone interested in applying for a job can view open positions at the new Ace store here.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information.