Ace Was The Place in Fox Lake for That Helpful Hardware Man by The Name of Will Grosse

Ace was the place in Fox Lake for that helpful hardware man by the name of Will Grosse. Everything in stock is now part of a fire sale as he prepares to shut down the business that was started by his father back in 1955. It’s closing to make room for a Thornton’s gas station at Grand Ave. and Route 12. He expects his Ace will close down for good by June 1. “Business has been spiraling down due to the competition and the economy,” said Grosse. “Then Thorton’s approached me and I decided to get out.” The store had been closed until Thursday when he opened it up again for all his local customers who were informed through the mail of the sale and a prize drawing so they could get first pick of the merchandise he has to liquidate. Frank Wasilewski, 40, of Fox Lake, has been stopping there for the last seven years. “I like the personal service and they always have what I want. I do repair and service on home medical equipment. They have special parts and Ace always has them,” he said. Grosse is in the screw section when another customer asks a question. “We’ll sell you whatever you want,” said Grosse, but the man replies: “I don’t need them right now.” Grosse comes back with what employees call a “Willism.” “Ya know, next week you’ll need 20 of them,” he said with a laugh. "It’s sad to see it go. It’s sad anytime a business goes down. He had a good local neighborhood store. He’s going to be missed,” said Linnea Piora, executive director of the Fox Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. Kathy Serafin of Fox Lake has been a customer for over 16 years. On Friday, she grabbed some painting supplies for a home project. She likes the little store compared to the big boxes because, “You don’t have to walk for 10 minutes to get something. "You can get something quickly,” she said. “The clerks are knowledgeable about boating supplies and things you need at the last minute.” Toinette Beckman of Antioch, assistant store manager, has worked there for 12 years because of its family atmosphere and close-knit attitude of the employees. Then, there’s Will. "We’ll miss his sense of humor and his daily lessons and Willisms, most of which you can’t print. It’s his mannerisms and his way of storytelling,” she said. Kelly Manahan, 40, of Ingleside was eyeing some garden supplies and flags. “They have the nicest flags. I’m going to miss it, I’m really burned they are going to close. Like we need another gas station in this town,” she said. “I’ll just stock up on my flags and go my merry way.” Charlie Smart of Fox Lake grabbed some anchors and nylon spools of anchor rope. He’d been going to Ace for 15 years. “I live right up the street. People were lined up down the street yesterday morning. I like small businesses and you have to support your small businesses,” he said. Grosse, 64, of Ingleside said his father, William, opened an Ace Hardware in Skokie in the 1950s and then moved out to Fox Lake and built the present store. “He was almost one of the first in the franchise,” he said. “I just got roped into it.” He got his wife, Kitty, involved until she retired a few years ago “and left me holding the bag,” he said with a grin. "I’ll miss my good customers for many years and my conscientious staff — we have the best crew around,” he said. A customer interrupted to ask if he had anymore garden hose. “That’s all that’s left my friend,” said Grosse. James Connolly, a retail consultant, has helped get customers in and was running the drawing where two flat-screen televisions, a Kindle, iPhone and kettle popcorn cooker were the prizes. "We had 1,004 people come through the door on that first day,” he said. The clearance sale will continue until it closes and even the store fixtures are for sale. Renee and William Doerre were in store with their family, Abigail, 10, Madelein, 8, and Olivia, 4, and were looking for some deals in the pet section. They’ve been coming for nine years. "We came here all the time,” said Renee. “It had everything — unique things, general things. I grew up with a local hardware store and I like the atmosphere of the general hardware store,” she said. “It’s unfortunate its closing.” Source: suntimes.com