Rylee's Ace Hardware the Helpful Place

Rylee's History

The “Ace Hardware” name originated from the Ace Hardware Corporation-a buying group started in 1924 by four independent Chicago Area retailers. These four retailers made a decision that they could be more productive and competitive working together rather than separately. Today, Ace Hardware Corporation, headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, is an international retail support company. Ace provides over 3 billion dollars in wholesale and retail merchandise annually and has approximately 4,600 locations worldwide.

In 1946, John Rysdyk Sr. and Ed leedy purchased a small hardware store called Firliks, located at the corner of Eastern Avenue and Michigan Street NE. They combined the names of Rysdyk and Leedy to form what is now known as Rylee’s Ace Hardware.

In 1953, the two partners began an ambitious expansion program by building a new store at the current location, near the corner of Michigan Street and Fuller Ave NE.

When the present building was complete and opened in 1955, Rylee’s Hardware became the largest hardware store in Grand Rapids. According to news reports at the time, “never before has anyone combined electrical, plumbing, tools, toys, sporting goods, paint, marine equipment, Housewares, auto, lawn & garden and hardware departments under one roof.”

Rylee’s became a franchise of Ace Hardware Corporation in 1958, and has been known as Rylee’s Ace Hardware since that time.

In April of 1995, Todd and Lori Terpstra purchased an existing hardware store named Alger Ace Hardware. In February 2000, Todd and Lori Terpstra purchased Rylee’s Ace Hardware on Michigan St. from Lori’s parents, John and Grace Rysdyk. In July 2002, Todd and Lori Terpstra purchased two existing Ace hardware stores, one in Wyoming, Michigan and one in Walker, Michigan from long time owner Gary Larson. At the same time, Alger Ace Hardware was combined into the Wyoming location. Today, all three Rylee’s Ace Hardware stores are currently owned and operated by the third generation of the original Rysdyk family.

Todd and Lori sold the Wyoming location in 2006 and purchased an Existing Ace Hardware in Allegan, MI in 2008.

History of The Ace Hardware Corporation

Founded in Chicago in 1924, Ace Hardware Corporation has grown to become America's neighborhood hardware retailer. Over the years, we've built the brand from a small group of hardware stores to a network of more than 4,600 locations across the globe.

An independent marketing study confirmed that the Ace Hardware name is one of the most widely recognized trademarks in America. "Ace … The Helpful Place" is the most recognized slogan in the home-improvement industry (The Gallup Organization, October 2006). And today, consumers rely heavily on the helpful advice and product choices they get at their neighborhood stores.

We continue to grow because of the level of service we provide our customers. Backed by a state-of-the-art distribution system, dedicated corporate support, and the knowledge and talents of our 80,000 team members, we look forward to upholding and advancing our 80 year tradition of service, solid corporate citizenship and success.

To visit the Ace Hardware Corporation website, go to www.acehardware.com