Ace Hardware aims to open before New Years

Remodeling of the former JC Penney Co. store in McCook is actually ahead of schedule, with a pre-New Year’s opening planned.

Gene O. Morris/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — With the help of a local remodeling crew, the Ace Hardware store at the corner of West First and C streets will be ready for opening shortly before the first of the year.

“We’re actually ahead of schedule,” said Rick Sinner, the manager, who has moved to McCook to oversee the renovation of the spacious retail building formerly occupied by the JC Penney Company.

Sinner gave credit to the McCook area workers for the quick progress, thanking Teresa Shields, Raymond Schow, Denise Wolford, Frank Tomenson and Joe Alano for their efforts.

“We’ve taken out all of the JC Penney fixtures, taken out the carpet and tile, put between 60 and 70 gallons of paint on the walls and began the installation of new LED lighting throughout the store,” he said.

More work remains to be done, with the Ace Hardware franchise owners committed to making the three-level, 24,000 square foot building handicapped accessible, including wheelchair ramps and an incline lift between the lower and upper levels.

The Ace Hardware store in McCook will be the fourth in the franchise owners’ group, joining stores already in operation in Yuma, Wray and Ogallala.

The store will have 18 to 20 employees, of which six will be full-time.

Featured merchandise will include grilling products, lawn furniture and sporting goods. The Ace store will also carry a full line of Stihl power products, the manager said.