About Clarks Ace Hardware
In 1845, John L. Clark opened Clarks Farm Supplies in Ellicott City, Maryland. Little did he know that seven generations of Clark’s later, his hardware store legacy would live on as Clark’s ACE Hardware, still located in Ellicott City and now the oldest family hardware store in Maryland.
What has sustained Clarks for over 175 years in the business is a strong family work ethic, a total dedication to customer service, adapting quickly to changes in the hardware business and the ability to adopt new technology. In fact, Margaret Clark, the store’s 7th generation owner, is quick to point out that her father, Andy Clark, established a computerized inventory system in the 1980’s long before anyone was leveraging the advantages of this technology. This system helped Clarks track inventory, recognize consumer trends, and sustain the store’s position as an industry leader.
Today, Margaret Clark leverages the latest technology to ensure that Clarks hardware is stocked with the products that her customers need.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & COMMITMENT
However, the real strength of Clarks still rests with the family’s commitment to customer service and the local community. This can be seen in their support of local organizations, from schools to historical societies. During the Coronavirus crisis, Clarks has been donating masks to the homeless and low income areas. They are committed to donating one mask for each one sold in the store.
In partnership with VersaTech, Clarks has been dropping off supplies to Howard County General Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine. They have donated $18,000 of medical gear including 300 chemical splash goggles, 269 Heavy Duty face shields, 194 half-face P95/P100 respirators, replacement filters, and Purell.
KNOWLEDGEABLE, ACCESSIBLE CUSTOMER SUPPORT
This dedication also can be witnessed daily in the way the Clarks hardware team interacts with their customers. Getting sound, professional advice at one of the big box hardware stores can be a challenge. But not at Clarks where easy to understand professional advice is doled out daily to customers.
Information and expert guidance are part of the conversation with every customer. This is the big difference, setting Clarks apart from their big box competitors. Family owned and operated businesses treat their customers like family. Something generations of Clarks Hardware customers already appreciate.
ABOUT MARGARET CLARK
Margaret Clark, the 7th Generation of Clarks Hardware, Takes The Helm
In 2017, Margaret Clark became the 7th generation of the Clark family to own the business when she bought it from her father, Andy Clark. Although Margaret grew up working in the family business, she points out that her parents did not expect her or her four siblings to make it a career.
At first, a hardware career was not top of mind for Clark. Like her father and uncle before her, she served in the military. After serving in the Marines and attending business school, Margaret eventually returned to the family business, working under her parents to learn the business from the inside out. It was not until her father neared retirement that she decided that her future rested with running the family store, helping to transition it successfully into the 21st century.
Staying successful in the hardware business for over 175 years, Clark emphasizes, has meant that each generation running the business has had to adapt to market and economic changes.
“Maintaining the highest possible level of customer service, along with understanding and watching industry trends are essential ingredients to our continued success,” she says. “You’ve always got to be learning and improving.”