Ace store closing; Basler retiring after 40 years

By Vinde Wells

Editor

Business was brisk Tuesday morning at Basler’s Ace Hardware, Oregon, as customers flocked in to take advantage of the store’s going-out-of-business discounts.

The large sign at the store’s entrance on Pines Road proclaimed “Sale 40% off Everything,” bringing in a steady stream of cars, pick-up trucks, and vans loading up on landscaping materials, paint, tools, and everything else the store has offered the community for the last 40 years.

At the back of the store, owner Jeff Basler waited on customers and chatted with well-wishers who congratulated him on his retirement.

“Best thing I ever did. You won’t be sorry,” said one 80-ish man as he added an item to his cart.

Basler, 63, is retiring and closing the store on Oct. 1.

“It’s been in the works for a while,” he said. “After 40 years in the business and working 60 hours a week, my wife told me it’s time to retire.”

Attempts to sell the business over the last several months were unsuccessful, he said.

“I talked to six different prospective buyers — one just two weeks ago — but couldn’t get it worked out,” he said.

He said his two daughters and son-in-law, who have worked at the business for several years, are not interested in taking it over.

“Then the Farmer’s Almanac came out and said what next winter will be like and I told my wife ‘I’m coming along to Florida,’” Basler said with a grin.

The magazine is forecasting a cold, snowy winter for much of northern Illinois.

Basler and his wife Cindy bought the hardware store from Ed and Thelma Zumdahl in 1974. At that time it was located in downtown Oregon on the northeast corner of Washington and Third Streets.

Basler moved the store to its present spot on Pines Road and expanded it in 1998.

The store employed 15 people, he said.

Basler said he has enjoyed his career in the hardware business.

“I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “Every day is a new experience. In 40 years I can say there’s been no two days the same.”

In recent years, business hasn’t been as good as it once was, Basler said.

“Since 2008-09, the brakes got thrown in it,” he said. “The less retail in a community, the harder it is to hold retail. The market can only support so much.”

He and Cindy plan to make their retirement home in Ft. Myers, Fla., where they have owned a house for several years.

Having served on the Oregon School Board as well as several other boards over the years, Basler said he hopes to continue to volunteer.

“We’re active in our church in Florida and it has a outreach program that includes a food pantry,” he said. “I hope to get involved in that.”