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The Westlake Ace Hardware chain is expanding into North Carolina.
The company, which is an Ace Hardware Corp. subsidiary, is scheduled to close a deal to buy two stores in Raleigh, North Carolina, in mid-July.
With the addition of the North Carolina stores, the chain has publicized plans to add four stores in 2016. The company announced earlier this month that it had purchased a store in Seagoville, Texas, and is opening a new location in Overland Park, Kansas, in the fall.
Both of the Ace Hardware of Raleigh stores currently belong to Howie and Brug Jung. Westlake Ace will retain the stores’ employees and keep the existing operations and product mixes, according to the company.
The Ace Hardware of Raleigh stores sell products from the core hardware categories, as well as pet care, seasonal lawn and garden supplies and barbecue products.
“Westlake is a growing and vibrant brand, and we are excited to become part of the Raleigh community,” Westlake CEO Tom Knox says. “Since 1976, Howie and Brug Jung have worked very hard to make Ace Hardware of Raleigh an integral part of their community. We look forward to continuing their fine tradition of outstanding customer service and community involvement.”
The Westlake Ace Hardware chain has been operating for more than 100 years and currently has 92 stores located in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Ace Hardware Corp. has owned the Lenexa, Kansas, chain since 2012.
