Business Profile: Johnston's Hardware Store Provides Ace Service

When Gordon Sterk walked away from his job of 34 years to take over the  store in Johnston, he never looked back. The previous owner went bankrupt and Sterk stepped in to run the store that’s been a part of the Johnston community for more than 25 years.

In June of 2002, Sterk took the plunge and reopened the store with his son, Chris, alongside him as store manager.

Ace Hardware offers exactly what customers need, said Don Thomas of Johnston, who stops in at least once a week. 

Thomas, who is retired, spends most of his time on handyman projects around his or his daughters' homes.

“I like that I can buy one screw instead of a box here,” Thomas said. “It’s more convenient than Home Depot or Menards.”

Johnston resident Suzanne Hartley agreed with Thomas, saying that the store was local, and praised the “friendly staff.”

Sterk wasn't going to let the chance to own Ace pass him by.

“I always wanted to own my own business, and I thought, Hey, now’s the time,” Sterk recalled.

He knew that Johnston was a growing community, and despite the many big-box stores nearby, he believed that people still rely on the local hardware store for things that you just can’t get anywhere else. 

“They sell price, and price only,” Sterk said. “We sell service, we’ll repair anything here.”

Service is what separates the store from big box stores, Sterk said. He and his employees will repair almost anything brought into the hardware store, as long as they can get the parts for it. From lamps to chainsaws to window screens, there is little they can’t fix.

“We’ve got Stihl trimmers and chainsaws, the Big Green Egg charcoal smokers, and a complete line of Toro,” Sterk said, as he gestured toward the rows of gleaming lawnmowers. “Anyone who wants a Stihl has to go to us.”

Many of Sterk’s employees are students from , and Sterk said their work ethic is second to none.        

The nicest people live in Johnston, which was a big factor when taking over the store, Sterk said.

While Sterk lives in neighboring Urbandale, he said that if he ever moved, he’d want to live in Johnston.

“It’s a growing community, and a lot of neat people live here, they’re all friendly,” Sterk said. “It’s a nice place to do business.”

As Sterk greets customers he expertly guides them to the right aisle, helping them find exactly what they need for the project they’re working on.

Selling chainsaws and fixing screen doors has plenty of rewards. But the bottom line is Sterk loves his job.

“I like being a service to the community,” Sterk said. “People come here because they rely on us for our expertise and service.”

JOHNSTON ACE HARDWARE

ADDRESS: 5800 Merle Hay Road 

HOURS: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

PHONE: (515) 276-2854

WEBSITE: http://johnstonacehardware.com

E-MAIL: A11325Z@acehardware.com