Ace Hardware to hold Grand Opening June 28

June 19, 2025

By: Katherine Trowbridge

Stan’s Ace Hardware brought vibrancy and more shopping local to our N. Franklin Community when it opened its new store in Connell back in April.

Jason Lutton, General Manager, shared with us that they are excited to announce their grand opening celebration will take place on June 28 and the entire community is invited.

Lutton shared the history of the company with us which began as Stan’s Merry Mart in 1947 by Bob Stanley in Wenatchee, Washington. Eventually, the business was purchased by Ethel Wright, who is the grandmother of current President, Brandon Wright. The company is in its second and third generation with Lynn Wright (Ethell’s son), Brandon Wright, David Wright, and Chelsea Stroh leading the company.

Stan’s Merry Mart became an affiliate of Ace Hardware in the 1980’s.

In 2019, they purchased a second store in Othello, WA. Since the Othello purchase, the company has experienced expanded growth, which led to the purchase of a third store in Ellensburg, WA. This store was purchased and then completely remodeled to better serve the community of Ellensburg, re-opening in 2023.

In the meantime, they also purchased land in Connell and began the process of creating a brand new store for the N. Franklin community. The Connell store features their rebranded name, “Stan’s Ace Hardware”, and continues the company’s involvement in smaller rural communities.

Lutton shared, “We have enjoyed venturing into smaller more rural areas and truly enjoy taking care of the communities we are involved in. The customers in Othello, along with the many, many agricultural businesses have been great to us. Connell is another great opportunity to give us more reach into areas where it is more of a challenge for the customers to get the hardware products they need.”

Lutton added, “We take care of our communities by giving them a best in class customer experience. We donate to many different programs, with a focus on children, including schools, sports, and more. We also offer our business customers a different experience by employing business to business sales reps that work 40 hours a week dedicated to getting businesses what they need at competitive prices.”

“A great example: We have a business that currently buys tvs from us at our Wenatchee store. Approximately two a week,” Lutten stated, “Out motto is, we find ways to say yes.”

The stores have two major seasonal swaps between spring/summer and fall/winter. Currently, they are offering products such as soils, bark, concrete pavers, and all things lawn and garden. During the fall, this will rotate to winter goods like ice melt, snowblowers, and even some Christmas products such as lights and gift items. “If a customer has a request for something we don’t carry, we will order it for them and have it shipped to our store for free,” he shared.

“Our plan is to continue to grow and open stores, create new jobs, and meet the demands of our customers and communities we serve in any area we open new stores in,” Lutton added.

While the Connell store opened in late April, this was just a soft opening to work through kinks and get staff and customers familiar with the store. The grand opening is set for Saturday, June 28 with an all day celebration. It all begins with a coffee truck in the parking lot from 8 am to noon providing free drinks. At 10:30 am a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony is planned. There will be bounce houses for the kids in the afternoon along with face painting and give-aways for all ages. The grand opening celebration runs from 8am to 4pm.

The store is located at 250 E. Hawthorn Street in Connell.