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Ziegler's Ace Hardware has a long and lively history. It is one of the longest continuing businesses in the state of Illinois. The business started in 1856 as Meehan's Hardware in Elgin, Illinois. Lyle A. Ziegler purchased Meehan's in 1930 and joined Ace Hardware Corporation in 1934. Ace Hardware was just 10 years old at the time, and was formed by five Chicago hardware retailers to improve their stores by forming a buying co-operative. 
Ziegler's Ace was led and managed during the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's by Lyle and Zell Ziegler's sons, Gregg and James. Sales volume grew dramatically during this period and, at one point in the 1960's, Ziegler's Ace was the number one purchaser of product from Ace. Currently the business is in the top ten percent of purchasers from Ace. The number of Ziegler's hardware stores increased to four during this period.  During the late 1970's and early 1980's, the third generation of Ziegler's, Brian and David, began to manage the operation. In 1992 they concluded a buyout of the business from their fathers and continue to lead the organization presently. The family business has grown to ten stores in the Fox River Valley and is looking for additional locations in nearby markets. 
Over the years, hundreds of people have made a career in the retail hardware industry at Ziegler's. Thousands of students and retirees have been employed part-time as a means to supplement their incomes and engage in productive and friendly ways to enhance their lives. |